Timing & Guessing

[kendogg]

I'm having issues with timing and finding myself randomly guessing on the last few questions. Currently, I'm taking the time I need to solve the problems even if it exceeds the recommended times for each question (ie RC~1.5, RC pass<4, CR~2, SC~1-1.5, PS=DS~2).

Anyone else with the same problem? Would it be a better strategy to force myself to stick to those times and just guess based on the answer choices I have already eliminated?

Thanks in advance.

[beatthegmat]

I'm having issues with timing and finding myself randomly guessing on the last few questions. Currently, I'm taking the time I need to solve the problems even if it exceeds the recommended times for each question (ie RC~1.5, RC pass<4, CR~2, SC~1-1.5, PS=DS~2).

Anyone else with the same problem? Would it be a better strategy to force myself to stick to those times and just guess based on the answer choices I have already eliminated?

Thanks in advance.

Pacing is critical on the GMAT! You can't spend too much time on problems where you need to guess. What I would recommend is practicing some OG problem sets with a timer, and giving yourself 2 minutes (or even better 90 seconds) per problem. If you reach the end of time, force yourself to guess.

This is something that you need to get comfortable with. I practiced with a timer during my prep and it was really valuable for keeping me on pace for the real test.

Best of luck!

[Stacey Koprince]

FYI - you WILL have to guess on questions on the test. The only choice you have is whether you choose to pull the plug and put in an educated guess on the hardest problems as you encounter them in the middle of the test, or whether you are forced to guess on the last few because you run out of time. But however good you get, the test will still give you things that are too hard for you and cause you time pressure at the end if you don't pull the plug on the hardest ones as you encounter them.

[mrskuza]

Hello,
I have found this forum very valuable. I am going to take the GMAT on 20th, August in Dallas, Texas. Thank you all for your posts.

Could you please give me some advice, as I have problem. When I am taking test, usually 80% of questions I take in regular time. Then I do not have enough time to answer last 20%. My concetration level is going down and finally, all questions (last 20%) I answered wrong. Could you please give me some hints?

Take care and BeatTheGmat!!!!!

Arek

[Stacey Koprince]

If you don't have enough time, then you are not doing the first 80% in "regular" time - you are taking too much time on them.

You need to limit yourself to 2 minutes per math question, 1.5 minutes per SC, 2 minutes per CR and 2-3 minutes to read a passage plus 1.5-2 min per RC question. These are averages, so you can go a little over on a few, but if you go 3+ minutes on a question, you will run out of time.

You will absolutely need to let go of some problems on the test b/c they will be too hard for you to do in the required time. No matter how good you get, the test will give you things you cannot do - you'd have to let some go even if you scored an 800. If you don't do this, you will continue to run out of time at the end.

If you don't already have access to our tests, attend one of our free sessions so you can get free access for a month. The tests track how much time you spend on each problem so that you can actually see your pacing problems when you're done. Use this to show yourself that you are spending way too much time on some problems and figure out how to cut those problems loose before you have spent too much time on them.

Good luck!

[agourdine]

Hello all! I am new to the forum, but I'm so glad I found this before I take the exam. I'm about 3-4 weeks away from taking the exam, and still struggling w/timing, esp in Quant. For the practice exams, do you recommend taking practice exams timed and untimed or take them all timed? What strategies have worked for all of you?

I still have a LONG way to go as far as my score is concerned, so I can appreciate all the help I can get!

Thanks!

[Stacey Koprince]

If you're still struggling with timing, then do EVERYthing timed from now on - tests, sets of practice questions, individual questions, everything. I tell my students from about the midway point in class that they should start timing themselves on every problem they do. The only way to figure that out is practice.