GMAT Strategy

Hi dtse86,

How long have you been studying?

Pacing and endurance issues are more likely to be improved over time (as opposed to trying to pointedly improve them quickly), as you become more and more familiar with the types of questions that the GMAT will ask you to solve and the methods to solve them.

Most endurance issues are physical instead of mental, so think about how you physically take your tests, what you eat for breakfast, etc. Most pacing problems are due to either not knowing the material/tactics or staring at the screen. You might actually be causing your pacing problem though - depending on HOW you go about answering questions. It could be that your approach is the "long way" to solve the problem. Some new tactics might go a long way towards fixing your endurance/pacing problems AND raising your score.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

dtse86 wrote: I was just wondering if anyone had any good tips for developing good timing and building up endurance to answer high level questions.

Regarding time management: I suggest that you use a Milestone Chart to keep you on track. This is covered in our free GMAT time management video at https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gener ... es?id=1244

Also, early in one's studies, it's a good idea to use a stopwatch to help get an idea of what 2 minutes feels like. This tip and others can be found in my BTG articles on "making friends with time on the GMAT"
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/06/ ... mat-part-i
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/07/ ... at-part-ii

Cheers,
Brent

Hi dtse86,

You've mentioned a couple of things that could very well be affecting your performance. Before we get to those details though, you should be sure to take the ENTIRE practice CAT (including Essay and IR) every time. Skipping sections is unrealistic and you'll end up with a score that is often "inflated" (and not accurate). Among it's various aspects, the GMAT is also a test of your endurance. The ONLY realistic way to test that ability is on a CAT.

As to your situation...
1) Since you have a Masters in Engineering, I'm going to assume that you're in a job that is engineering-based. You probably also work 40+ hours per week. Saturdays are NOT great days to take practice CATs for someone working that type of job and schedule. You're likely "burned out" from the week's work and you won't be at your best on a Saturday morning (or early afternoon). You might consider taking Saturday "off" and taking your CATs on Sunday.

2) Most people do their best work "early in the day" and "early in the week." That means that a Monday morning-ish CAT will probably showcase your best thinking. While it's not convenient for most people to practice in this way, you have to ask yourself what you're willing to do to score at a high level. The 700 GMAT score is the 90th percentile - it means that 90% of Test Takers either CAN'T or WON'T do what it takes to earn that score.

3) Most Test Takers get "rattled" a bit by the IR section, so you're not alone. It's in your best interest to "stay loose" and not get bogged down by that section of the Test. Most US Business Schools have publicly stated that they do not use an applicant's IR score to evaluate the applicant, so you shouldn't be expending too much mental or emotional energy on this section. You still have to complete it though, so do what you can, but don't get overly committed any part of the IR section.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich