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Time crunched in Quantitative section

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Time crunched in Quantitative section

by makkiemaps » Sat Mar 05, 2011 3:06 pm
Which strategy will you recommend for quantitative section of GMAT if given a situation where one is still solving Q30 with 5 minutes to spare in the quantitative section?

1. Divide the remaining time equally for the questions and move on to next if you are not able to solve a question within its time.

2. Give your best shot to find the answer in reasonable time until last minute, and then guess mark the remaining questions.

3. Something else?


Thanks in advance.
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by makkiemaps » Sun Mar 06, 2011 2:09 pm
GMAT algorithm should be complex enough to differentiate between a blind guess and a calculated response on the basis of time spent on that question. Example: If the answer is marked in < 10 seconds, the examinee has probably not solved the question. Assuming that test makers have given a thought on this, can I say that blind guessing will not improve my score, even if I get the answer correct? (wrong answer will obviously decrease the score).

Will appreciate if an expert can comment.
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by sanju09 » Sun Mar 06, 2011 11:41 pm
Only a correct answer matters, no matter in how much time one gets to it. Blind guesses are never recommended on GMAT, though we name it like "calculated risks" or "smart guesses", but history has never supported "Blind guesses" on GMAT. We must have some fool proof idea no matter of what kind, before answering each question on GMAT. If someone finds them in a situation when only 5 minutes are remaining to answer 7 odd question on GMAT, then it's already like some sorry state for them, and lot would depend on how did they fair so far in the same test.

Time management is the key to crack GMAT. All test takers must avoid finding themselves in such situations. There's no royal road to success on GMAT. Practice hard before writing your test, consider rescheduling if the preparatory reports are not up to the standards set.
The mind is everything. What you think you become. -Lord Buddha



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by BarryLi » Sun Mar 06, 2011 11:49 pm
Excellent post sanju, thanks for clarifying that an answer given in less than 10 seconds is not deemed to a guess. Sometimes the questions are very short and simple.
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by makkiemaps » Mon Mar 07, 2011 1:09 am
sanju09 wrote:Only a correct answer matters, no matter in how much time one gets to it. Blind guesses are never recommended on GMAT, though we name it like "calculated risks" or "smart guesses", but history has never supported "Blind guesses" on GMAT. We must have some fool proof idea no matter of what kind, before answering each question on GMAT. If someone finds them in a situation when only 5 minutes are remaining to answer 7 odd question on GMAT, then it's already like some sorry state for them, and lot would depend on how did they fair so far in the same test.

Time management is the key to crack GMAT. All test takers must avoid finding themselves in such situations. There's no royal road to success on GMAT. Practice hard before writing your test, consider rescheduling if the preparatory reports are not up to the standards set.
No GMAT aspirant can say for sure that he/she cannot be short of time on the test day (I agree that the more you practice, the lesser is the risk, but there is still a risk). Now coming back to my question, I wanted to ask that "if" one finds himself/herself in such a situation, what would be the best strategy? I personally won't give up at 70th minute thinking its a sorry state now :)

May be I should've put my question in different words.
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by vineeshp » Mon Mar 07, 2011 3:20 am
You have about a month. Come on, you can work on improving your speed. :)

Create test sets of 40 questions and try to solve them in an hour. A few workouts will actually improve your time.
I have seen it happen to me.
Vineesh,
Just telling you what I know and think. I am not the expert. :)
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by sanju09 » Mon Mar 07, 2011 3:24 am
makkiemaps wrote:
sanju09 wrote:Only a correct answer matters, no matter in how much time one gets to it. Blind guesses are never recommended on GMAT, though we name it like "calculated risks" or "smart guesses", but history has never supported "Blind guesses" on GMAT. We must have some fool proof idea no matter of what kind, before answering each question on GMAT. If someone finds them in a situation when only 5 minutes are remaining to answer 7 odd question on GMAT, then it's already like some sorry state for them, and lot would depend on how did they fair so far in the same test.

Time management is the key to crack GMAT. All test takers must avoid finding themselves in such situations. There's no royal road to success on GMAT. Practice hard before writing your test, consider rescheduling if the preparatory reports are not up to the standards set.
No GMAT aspirant can say for sure that he/she cannot be short of time on the test day (I agree that the more you practice, the lesser is the risk, but there is still a risk). Now coming back to my question, I wanted to ask that "if" one finds himself/herself in such a situation, what would be the best strategy? I personally won't give up at 70th minute thinking its a sorry state now :)

May be I should've put my question in different words.
You cannot put extra feathers to your crown by attempting all 7 questions in the end in just 5 minutes, keep luck out-of-the-way.

The complex GMAT pattern has so far shown that it's better NOT to leave a question unanswered towards the end, and this is probably why most of the test takers start stepping up and falling in traps towards the end. If one can read and understand the 7 question along with the answer choices (if PS) all in less than 5 minutes, then it's highly likely for them to enjoy a rewarding guess otherwise sorry again.
The mind is everything. What you think you become. -Lord Buddha



Sanjeev K Saxena
Quantitative Instructor
The Princeton Review - Manya Abroad
Lucknow-226001

www.manyagroup.com
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by makkiemaps » Mon Mar 07, 2011 3:04 pm
Thanks for the replies guys. I have some good take aways from this thread.
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