GMAT – Timing Tips for the Quantitative

As you’re already aware, owning the GMAT requires sound test-taking strategy in addition to topical knowledge. For a reading/writing-centric person like myself, the quantitative section is already difficult enough without the added burden of a time crunch. If this has all of you fellow “C” math students quaking in your lil boots, Fear Not! The rub is that strategy is actually quite simple to learn and good strategy alone can actually save you points. Read on for some key pointers.

The GMAT quant section requires test takers to answer 37 questions in 75 minutes. Using division (ugh!), we find that if we devote two minutes to each question, we’ll have one triumphant minute to spare at the end! But before you start scheming about how you’ll mischievously savor that last minute, be forewarned that many people are not able to finish all 37 questions within the allotted time. Most of these people suffer not from a lack of knowledge but simply poor time-management skills. Fact: an incorrect answer subtracts fewer points from your score than an unanswered question. Conclusion: finishing all of the questions is important, even if you have to guess.

So now that I’ve established the importance of pacing, you might be wondering how you can get under that magical 2:00-per-question barrier. Here are a few practice tips:

• Find your normal pace – time yourself or recruit a friend. Work through a set of 20 quant questions to establish a baseline pace without a timer. Do this early on in your studying so that you can establish concrete goals for improvement.
• Practice tests: USE THEM!!! – remember that DVD or link to free practice tests that came with your study materials? Yes, you’ll be needing that. Practicing under test-day conditions is the best way to learn.
• Diagnostic tools – these usually come packaged with most practice CAT software. No joke… the software will not only give you a convenient timer during the practice exam, but will also show you useful things after you’ve finished e.g. time spent on each question, solutions with interactive diagrams, average pace, answer accuracy by question type… you get the picture. This is a quick way to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
• Study with a friend – take turns timing each other. Having someone watching you is a great (and potentially creepy) way of simulating test-day pressure. Seriously though, your friend will probably notice how and when you waste time. The camaraderie will be good for your attitude as well!
• Start slowly – since the GMAT is adaptive, you’ll want to make a strong start. Devoting between 10 and 20 extra seconds on the first seven or eight questions is worthwhile to help you move up the CAT ladder. Then you can quicken the pace, knowing that you’re already sitting in a higher difficulty bracket. This also has the added mental benefit of establishing a tempo and building confidence early in the game
• Practice like it’s game day – nothing will prepare you better than simulating the test day. Don’t fall into the trap of studying half-heartedly. Taking your time for conceptual learning is fine but if you’re going to do practice questions, make sure you’re on the clock and not stopping to check answers.
• Conditioning – mental endurance is much like its physical counterpart. If your normal pace is 3:00 per problem, work down slowly in :15 second increments. Also apply this to the volume of questions you work in one sitting. Start by answering 5-10 questions in a row until you achieve your target pace. Then move up to 10-15. Rinse and repeat.

These are wonderfully effective study methods to increase your Quant pace. Let me know if you have a favorite method!