Importance of the section order

Question

Hi everyone!
I know this has been discussed a couple of times but would appreciate any updated views! 
I have my exam coming up, and I’m curious about the importance of the section order for my score.
For context, I’ve taken mock 1-3, always starting with Quant, followed by Verbal, then DI. A pattern has emerged where I consistently score the lowest on Quant, while my Verbal and DI scores are fairly similar. On my latest mock, I scored 76 on Quant, 83 on Verbal, and 80 on DI. I'm now wondering if it potentially would be more beneficial to place the Quant section later, given that it’s currently my weakest area?
Thanks in advance for any insights or advice you can share!

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi Mariustb,

AFAIK, GMAC hasn't given us any reason to think that section order will affect scores. However, the starting point for your quant section may be a little tougher (higher difficulty) if you start with a section that you're good at, like verbal. If you have some time and haven't taken all the official practice tests, give it a shot and let us know how that works out.

As you get closer to your exam, try to lock the order down so that you're not changing too many things just before your GMAT.

Archit3110 · Answer

Opt with an option of section you are most confident in...

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Mariustb,

When deciding whether to take the strongest or weakest section of the GMAT first, both approaches present unique advantages and potential drawbacks.

Starting with the strongest section can boost confidence early in the exam, potentially improving overall performance. This approach allows test-takers to capitalize on their strengths while their energy and focus are at their peak. However, this strategy might lead to receiving more difficult questions in the subsequent sections, increasing the risk of mistakes due to fatigue or pressure.

Conversely, beginning with the weakest section may help avoid the adverse effects of fatigue when tackling more challenging areas. Addressing the weakest section first ensures that test-takers are freshest and most alert for their most difficult questions.

So, at the end of the day, the best thing to do is practice with various section orders and see what is right for you.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

If you're curious how switching, for example, Verbal and Quant may be, it could be worth experimenting/try it on an official mock to see how you find it.

5 Quant tips

MartyMurray · Answer

You should probably keep Quant as your first section since it's your weakest.

If you do Quant after stronger sections, it will start off with harder questions and consequently be harder to complete.

That said, you may need a higher Quant score for your target schools since schools prioritize Quant scores. So, before your test, you should keep working on weaker Quant topics and possibly do streaks method practice to learn to get Quant questions correct more consistently.

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Importance of the section order

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