Improving speed in PS

Question

Hi,
I am preparing for gmat since february but whenever I give mocks I end up getting stuck in few questions and as a result I lose some questions in the end later I find that I could have solved most of them if I had got some time in test. How to ensure my pacing is correct althrough the test.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi ajain12,

That's a really common issue, and the good news is it's very fixable once you understand what's actually causing it.

When you're getting stuck on a few questions and then running out of time for the rest, the problem usually isn't speed, it's decision-making. Specifically, you're over-investing time in questions that feel solvable but aren't giving you a return on that time. Meanwhile, questions at the end that you  could  solve are left unanswered. That's a net loss.

Here's how to fix it:

Set a hard time cap per question.  For Quant and DI, aim for roughly 2 to 2.5 minutes per question. For Verbal, roughly the same for CR, and a bit more for RC passages. If you've been working on a question for more than 2.5 minutes and you're not close to an answer, make your best guess and move on. That one question is not worth the two or three you'll lose at the end.

Practice the "let go" skill deliberately.  In your practice sessions, set a timer and force yourself to move on when it goes off, even if you feel like you're almost there. This is a skill that has to be trained. The instinct to finish a hard question is strong, but on the GMAT, letting go of one question to answer three others is almost always the better trade.

Do timed sets of 8 to 12 questions at mixed difficulty.  Treat each set like a mini-exam. The goal isn't just accuracy, it's clean execution within the time limit. After each set, review not just what you got wrong but  where your time went . You'll start to see patterns: certain question types or topics are your time traps.

Use the "30-second rule" during mocks.  If you've read a question and after 30 to 40 seconds you still don't have a clear path to the answer, that's your signal. Make an educated guess and move on immediately. You can always come back if time allows.

Review your mocks for timing, not just accuracy.  After each practice test, look at how long you spent on questions you got right versus questions you got wrong. Often you'll find that the questions you got stuck on weren't just wrong, they also consumed 4 to 5 minutes each, which is what really hurts your score.

The pattern you're describing (knowing you could have solved the later questions if you'd had time) tells me this isn't a knowledge problem. You have the skills. What you need is a pacing strategy and the discipline to stick to it under pressure. That comes from deliberate practice, not from studying more content.

I hope that helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

KarishmaB · Answer

Most Quant questions can be solved within a minute using logic. You are likely using long winded methods to arrive at the answer. Check here what I mean by solving questions using logic: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... 6a7493MmW3 Also, if you seem to be stuck in a question, you need to move on after 2-3 mins. It is important to complete the section with sufficient time available for the last few questions too. Else any easy questions you miss in the last few will tank your score, even if you correctly get the "harder questions" up front.

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