Pacing oneself on the test - thoughts and questions

Question

Hi folks, I'd like to get your opinion here. I've been giving some practice tests, and seem to run short of time in the verbal section. Typically I have around 10 questions with 12-14 minutes left, which soon becomes something like one question per minute or less. In these times, I become very hasty and am not able to think properly. My mind stops working

.........so if a CR comes I almost have to guess, if its a SC I manage it better, as its easier to use POE at least. Any suggestions on how to keep cool and answer questions in the last 10 minutes and other areas for improve in the test ? I have 5 days left ! Should I give more practice tests or should I prepare each topic separately ? thanks ash.

Paul · Answer

At this point ashk, if you have not started doing so, I would perhaps suggest you to do practice tests. They will help you work under time constraint and will be most representative of test day. You could be doing very fine here but it could be totally different with either the time constraint or the very long and draining 2.5 hours of straight testing. Visit this board as often as you can but focus on practice tests for sure.

I don't know what to tell you how to focus but to clear your mind. Use the ear plugs provided to eliminate all distraction. Set up a grid before each section begins so as to better use the POE process by crossing out wrong answers. This may save you 5 seconds per question and up to 3.5 minutes per section!

enigmatic007 · Answer

hi ashkg...

I have faced the problem before and my advice to U abou the 'clear mind' just stay FOCUSSED and say to urself '' the only way I can get better is to stay calm and answer ... and answering the problem while thinking about the time won't help me anyway and would take away the score from me... I need to look at the Q and not anything else at this moment and I can get it better...'' also what I go about when I got a few mins left is CR: read the frst the Q and then just skim the para and use POE...

sc: attack it on the POE style and also keep in mind the subject-verb ... Idiomatic...

RC: ............. I pray to my luck and god...but go about the frst para and the last a bit more than the others and take a plunge with some OPTIMISm...

hope that helps

Have fun :-D

lastochka · Answer

HI ash,
If you find yourself so short on time, and you only have 5 days left to the exam, I would push the exam date a bit back (say 3 weeks) and focus on verbal. I know it's easy to throw your dice and hope you'll come out ok, but is it really worth the risk? I'd bite the bullet (the $250), and practice a bit more. 
Whatever you decide to do, best of luck.

lastochka · Answer

forgot to make one important point, if you're managing to score your target scores in spite of time shortage, than you're in the money, go right ahead with your exam.

ashkg · Answer

Hi Paul,Enigmatic,Lastochka......thanks for ur replies !

I have decided to focus more on practice tests. I don't have too many left though. Arco's and 800score are left and I can give Powerprep just one day before the test.

Lastochka,
I can't postpone the date. I am sure if I won't have time after the 10-11 july weekend. I have got 610 and 640(guessed about 8 questions in the end of verbal) in kaplan tests ( havent given any after that).

So this is it. I am going for the plunge. Its time I give myself the final push towards getting 700+.

Thanks for the advice

- ash

mba · Answer

Would like to add my opinion as well.

Kaplan is a tough one! and while doing Kaplan, most of the people fall shart of time.
I think this won't happen in case of 800Score or powerprep.
Also try not to give any test one day before the exam, (That's what I feel)
Give both the tests of powerprep(Very important)
(My best bet will be to give 800Scores, for first two days, powerprep 1 on 3rd day, powerprep 2 on 4th day, relax and check your error log on 5th day)

Hope this helps!! 
ALL THE BEST.

srijay007 · Answer

I am facing the same problem ash mentioned. My RC always takes atleast 2mins per Q (8mins per RC). I am trying to attempt all SCs between 1-1.5 min which will save some time

bb · Answer

I would suggest that 8 mins per RC is "OK"

I spent 1 min per SC - these are the most common on the GMAT, and thus mastering them can save a lot of time!
1.5 mins per CR
7-8 mins per RC passage, inluding reading and answering the questions

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Pacing oneself on the test - thoughts and questions

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