Timed vs Untimed? : End of the chapter practice tests

Question

Hi all, I'm starting from the basics with Quant. The platform that I'm learning on has end-of-chapter tests and I can choose whether to time it for 2 mins, 2.15, 2.30 etc and I haven't been timing by basic quant practice tests and scoring an accuracy of 80% on average.

What would you all recommend? Should I practice it timed or untimed? Please let me know!

Kelsier.

What would you all recommend? Should I practice it timed or untimed? Please let me know!

Kelsier.

rn1112 · Answer

Will advise to go for 'timed' practice , keeping the time restrictions as per you preparation levels.

Best of Luck.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Might be worth doing them under timed conditions and then slowly reviewing the ones you struggled with.

All the best,

contact: gmatknight website

Archit3110 · Answer

Timed conditions are always best. Likewise you can also use GC tests or can also practice questions topic , difficulty wise on gmat club as well.

Posted from my mobile device

gmatophobia · Answer

Hi!

I would take a slightly different path to answer your question. As you've mentioned that you're starting your preparation from the basics, it's best to  initially practice untimed  till you're comfortable with the fundamentals. Doing so will help you understand the concept that's being tested, and evaluate the different ways that you can answer the questions without the unnecessary burden of time pressure right from the start. IMO imposing a time limit from the very beginning doesn't prove helpful as the only goal that you would be chasing is to complete the questions. It's very important to spend the required time to understand the nuances that the question intends to test, to identify various traps that have been laid (and could be laid) in the question, and to explore various other methods of solving the question and to think like the test maker than to chase an artificial time limit right from day 1 or from the start of your preparation.

An increase in accuracy and a decrease in timing is a result (by-product) of strong fundamental knowledge and knowing the right methods to solve a question, not otherwise.

However, having said that, once you're comfortable with the basics and you move to a more advanced level of your preparation practicing in a timed manner will help set the 'internal clock'.

Here are some great articles, written on this topic, that you may consider reading -

https://www.gmatninja.com/gmat/articles/how-to-improve/dont-half-ass-your-gmat-practice 
 https://blog.targettestprep.com/best-gmat-practice-methods/

Wish you the best with your prep and GMAT journey !

kelsier1569 · Answer

Thank you so much for your replies, everyone! I really appreciate it!

Regards,
Nawin.

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Nawin.

Your best move is to keep practicing untimed and shoot for even higher accuracy.

80 percent is pretty good, but that last 20 percent of the questions that you're not getting correct is where you can find all your weak areas and execution issues. Furthermore, the skills you develop in achieving higher accuracy will also make you fast.

Also, you can speed up by looking for ways to be more efficient rather than setting a timer and forcing yourself to complete questions in a certain amount of time.

Here's a direct link to the post that  gmatophobia  shared.

The Best GMAT Practice Methods

This post could be interesting as well.

How to Get Faster at GMAT Quant Questions

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

When first starting, I think it's a good move to not worry about the timer, so you can focus on accuracy. As you become more accurate, you will organically become faster.

Timed vs Untimed? : End of the chapter practice tests

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