{"id":41911,"date":"2024-07-02T15:15:43","date_gmt":"2024-07-02T15:15:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/?p=41911"},"modified":"2024-07-02T20:16:26","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T20:16:26","slug":"time-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/gmat\/time-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know about GMAT Time Management"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The GMAT is really a test of your\u00a0executive reasoning<\/em>\u00a0skills: Your ability to evaluate a \u201cbusiness opportunity,\u201d recognize which ones are good opportunities (and which aren\u2019t), prioritize accordingly\u2014and stick to your decisions. In other words, the GMAT is testing you on your ability to make effective business decisions. And time management is naturally a key skill in making effective business decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The GMAT is sometimes going to ask you to solve problems that are actually way too hard or that will take way too long, even if you can get them right. That is, the GMAT is deliberately going to try to get you to mess up your timing. If it succeeds, your score is going to be anywhere from a little to a lot lower than it could have been.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post will take you through how to train yourself to switch from an \u201cold school\u201d mindset (try to get every problem right) to a \u201cb-school\u201d mindset (make the best decision based on current information, including walking away from low-quality investment opportunities).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Study plan note: Bookmark this article. Take about 2 to 4 weeks to work through Step 4. Then come back to add Steps 5 through 9 to your repertoire.\u00a0Don\u2019t try to read \/ learn everything in one sitting!<\/strong>\u00a0It will be too much and then you won\u2019t remember any of it well enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

TABLE OF CONTENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. How GMAT Scoring Works<\/a><\/li>
  2. Practice Tips: Exam Mode vs. Study Mode<\/a><\/li>
  3. Time Management Per Problem<\/a><\/li>
  4. Practice Timing in Short Sets<\/a><\/li>
  5. Using Benchmarks In A Test Section<\/a><\/li>
  6. Exam Breaks<\/a><\/li>
  7. Quant Section Time Management<\/a><\/li>
  8. Verbal Section Time Management<\/a><\/li>
  9. Data Insights Section Time Management<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    1. How GMAT Scoring Works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    You don\u2019t need to know exactly how GMAT scoring works, but you do need to learn some<\/em> things in order to earn your best possible score. And the first thing to know is this: The way you were trained to take tests for your entire school career will not work on the GMAT<\/em>. If you try to get everything right, as you did on school tests, you\u2019re going to mess up your timing and lower your score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The GMAT is an adaptive test; your tests in school were linear tests. On linear tests, everyone takes the exact same test and your score is based on how many you get right. On the GMAT (and adaptive tests in general), though, your score isn\u2019t<\/em> based on the number of problems you answer correctly. In fact, most people answer approximately the same number of problems correctly, regardless of final score! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How is that possible? On the GMAT, your score is actually based on the difficulty<\/em> of the problems that you can answer correctly. If you are able to correctly answer harder<\/em> questions than the person sitting next to you, you\u2019ll earn a higher score on the GMAT. (Unless you run out of time and don\u2019t answer all of the questions\u2026more on this later.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There\u2019s another weird thing to wrap your head around. Your GMAT score is not an average of your collective performance across an entire section. Rather, think of the GMAT as a \u201cwhere you end is what you get\u201d test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example, let\u2019s say that you\u2019re halfway through the Quant section and you\u2019re currently scoring in the 90th percentile. Great!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But then you start to run out of time. You start rushing and guessing\u2014and making a lot more mistakes. By the last question in the section, your scoring level has dropped to 60th percentile:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"GMAT
    In this graphic, the red circles represent incorrect answers and the blue ones represent correct answers. The placement of the circles represents difficulty level\u2014higher is harder. The purple represents your scoring level at the end of the section.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    So what\u2019s your final score? Somewhere in between, like 75th percentile? No, actually. Where you end is what you get, so your score is 60th percentile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    That may sound really unfair at first glance. But it\u2019s a great<\/em> test of your executive reasoning skills. Imagine: You\u2019re running a division of your company and have an annual budget, but you\u2019ve already spent the entire budget by September\u2026and your fiscal year doesn\u2019t end until December. It doesn\u2019t matter that things were going really well halfway through the year if you crash and burn at the end of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So How Does GMAT Scoring Work?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    In any one section, your first problem will be a medium-level problem. As you answer problems correctly, the test will give you a harder mix of problems; as you answer incorrectly, the test will give you an easier mix of problems. The test is literally adapting to your skill level as you take it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    People often take this to mean that they should spend a lot more time on the harder problems\u2014but, first, that will take extra time and, second, if you do get them right, your \u201creward\u201d is even harder problems\u2026.which will take even more time\u2026see where this is going? (This is how the GMAT deliberately tempts you to mess up your timing and then crash and burn before the test section is over.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So you really will choose not to try to address certain too-hard problems as you go. Your goal is to earn<\/em> the hardest questions that you can, and then choose to guess and move on when they do get too hard. You\u2019re not \u201cgetting it wrong.\u201d Rather, you\u2019re declining to invest in a poor business opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    GMAT Expert Tip<\/strong>: You only need to get about 50% to 70% of the problems right. You can afford to let the annoying ones go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Next, if you miss an easier<\/em> problem, that will hurt your score more than when you miss a harder<\/em> one\u2014so if you rush on easier ones to give yourself extra time for harder ones, you risk making careless mistakes on those easier ones and dropping your score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Your score will also drop more when you miss a lot of questions in a row, with no correct answers to break up the string of wrong answers. For example, if you miss 4 questions in a row, your score will drop more than if you miss 4 out of 6 questions. Why? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The test is literally calculating your current scoring level after every problem you answer in order to decide what problem to give you next. For example, if you miss #6 through #9 straight, your score will drop each time you answer one incorrectly. The fourth-wrong-in-a-row will be an easier problem than the first one, since the test is adjusting after each wrong answer\u2014so your score keeps dropping further every time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Let\u2019s say instead that you miss #6, #8, #9, and #11. Your score will still drop on those four, but your score will increase on #7 and #10\u2014the ones you get right. Since you have some correct answers interspersed with the wrong ones, you won\u2019t be offered as easy questions as in the first scenario, so your net drop won\u2019t be as great. Your fourth incorrect problem in this scenario will have a higher difficulty level than the fourth wrong problem in the first scenario. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cWhere you end\u201d is literally higher in the second scenario:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"GMAT
    In this graphic, the red circles represent incorrect answers and the blue ones represent correct answers. The placement of the circles represents difficulty level\u2014higher is harder. The purple represents your estimated score at the end of that sequence.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    You can get away with making one or two careless mistakes on easier problems, but if you put yourself in the position of having to rush on a lot of problems, you will make too many careless mistakes on easier ones and your overall score will drop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How Does Changing Answers on the GMAT Work?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    On your first time through any test section, you have to choose an answer for each problem in order to get to the next problem and<\/em> you can\u2019t go back to the prior problems. But when you get to the end of the section, the GMAT Focus is built to allow you to fix a small number of mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When you get to the end of any section, you can review the problems in that section and change up to 3 answers (assuming you haven\u2019t run out of time). If you suddenly remember a formula or rule that you\u2019d forgotten earlier, or if you suspect that you might have messed up your analysis on a specific problem, you have the opportunity to go back and pick up those points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One more thing: If you run out of time and don\u2019t submit an answer at all for certain problems, there is a penalty. And the more problems you don\u2019t answer, the greater the penalty. In other words, if you are approaching the end of the section and running low on time, don\u2019t leave anything blank<\/em>. Even if you have to guess randomly, put in an answer for every single problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    >>\u00a0Put Your Quant and Verbal Skills To The Test With A Free 11-Question GMAT Quiz<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    2. Tips For Solving Official Guide or Other GMAT-format Practice Problems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Early in your GMAT prep<\/a>, you\u2019re going to start solving individual Official Guide or other GMAT-format problems. There are two principles to use: Exam Mode (for the first time you try a GMAT-format problem) and Study Mode (for everything you do after you\u2019ve tried that problem for the first time).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    GMAT Timing Tip 1: Start Practicing Your Timing Now (Exam Mode)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The first<\/em> time you do an official-format GMAT practice problem, do so in Exam Mode: Pretend you\u2019re taking the test. Do not<\/em> take 10 minutes because \u201cI just want to see whether I can figure it out.\u201d Whatever habits you build during practice, you\u2019re going to use those same habits on the real test\u2014and you definitely don\u2019t want to spend 10 minutes on a single problem during the real test! Instead, make the call you\u2019d want to make if you really were taking the real exam right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Note: When you are doing non-GMAT-format practice, such as skill drill sets, don\u2019t time yourself. Learn at a pace that works for you. Only time yourself when working on Official Guide or other official-GMAT-format problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    GMAT Timing Tip 2: Take As Much Time As Needed To Learn New Material (Study Mode)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    After<\/em> you\u2019ve tried the problem in timed Exam Mode\u2014and chosen an answer\u2014now switch to \u201cCan I figure it out?\u201d mode (aka Study Mode). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Don\u2019t look at the answer or explanation (yet). Try any other possible solution paths you can think of. Look up anything you want in your books. (Study mode is always open-book mode.) If you tried a similar problem recently, look at that one again to see whether it gives you ideas for this new one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When you do go to the explanation, don\u2019t read it straight through. Rather, use the explanation as a series of hints\u2014like your own personal tutor. Read just far enough until you get an idea. Then, stop reading the explanation and use that idea to see how much you can figure out on your own (and you can use your books and other resources). When you get stuck, go back to the explanation for another hint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why study this way? It seems like it\u2019ll take a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s true that it\u2019ll take longer than just reading the explanation\u2026but you\u2019ll actually\u00a0remember<\/em>\u00a0what you\u2019re studying. How many times have you read straight through an explanation, thought \u201cThat makes sense,\u201d and then realized a week later that you have no idea how to do that problem? Your goal is to learn how to do this yourself in future, not just to read something and think \u201cThat makes sense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here\u2019s your mantra: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Exam Mode:<\/strong> First time you try a GMAT-format problem. Time yourself. Choose an answer before you go to the next problem. Train yourself to make the same decisions you\u2019d want to make if today were test day. <\/li>
    2. Study Mode:<\/strong> Review and figure out as much as you can yourself. Take as long as you need and use any study resources you want.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      >><\/strong>\u00a0Identify Strengths and Weaknesses Early With a Free GMAT Starter Kit<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
      <\/div>\n\n\n\n

      3. How Much Time To Dedicate For Each GMAT Problem <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      In order to make good executive decisions about what to do as you progress through each individual problem, you\u2019ll need an approximate idea of how long you\u2019re spending on those individual problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Before we dive in: Some people are granted extended time on standardized tests. If this applies to you, please adjust all timing guidelines in this document according to the extended time that you were granted. (For example, for 50% extended time, multiply all timing guidelines by 1.5. For 100% extended time, multiply all guidelines by 2.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      On most GMAT problems, you\u2019re going to make an important decision within about 1 minute of starting the problem. (Alternatively: 1.5 minutes for those granted 1.5x time, or 2 minutes for those granted 2x time.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Why 1 Minute When Most Problems Take Longer?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      The 1-minute mark represents roughly the halfway point for most problems. Halfway through any kind of project is a great \u201ctake stock and make decisions\u201d moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      At the 1-minute mark, you\u2019ve gathered enough information to know whether you (1) understand and (2) have an idea about how to solve. And on some, you\u2019ll have already started solving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      If you\u2019ve spent half your time and don\u2019t<\/em> understand or don\u2019t<\/em> have an idea for how to solve, then your odds of figuring that all out and<\/em> solving in the second minute are really not good. The best executive decision is to guess and move on. Bonus: You\u2019ve just saved yourself a minute\u2014and some mental energy\u2014to use on a better problem elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      If you actually have a chance to solve this problem correctly, then by the 1-minute mark, here\u2019s where you want to be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Question type<\/th>average time<\/th>1-minute goal (by 1 min, i have gotten at least this far<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
      Reading Time:<\/strong><\/td><\/td><\/td><\/tr>
      \u2013 Multi-Source Reasoning
      \u2013 Reading Comprehension<\/td>      		1.5 to 2 minutes<\/td>\u2013 Understand passage \/ tabs
      \u2013 Create a short map \/ cheat sheet<\/td><\/tr>
      Answering problems:<\/strong><\/td><\/td><\/td><\/tr>
      \u2013 Two-Part<\/td>2.5 minutes<\/td>\u2013 Understand facts given and question asked
      \u2013 Have a plan to solve<\/td><\/tr>
      \u2013 Problem Solving
      \u2013 Data Sufficiency
      \u2013 Tables and Graphs
      \u2013 Critical Reasoning
      \u2013 Multi-Source Reasoning<\/td>      		2 minutes<\/td>\u2013 Understand facts given and question asked
      \u2013 Have a plan to solve<\/td><\/tr>
      \u2013 Reading Comprehension<\/td>1.5 minutes<\/td>\u2013 Understand question
      \u2013 Reread \/ understand relevant info in passage \/ tabs<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      One important note:\u00a0<\/strong>The expected average times are truly\u00a0averages<\/em>. It\u2019s perfectly fine to spend some extra time on certain problems, because you will also finish other problems in less than the average time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      In general, avoid going\u00a0more<\/em>\u00a0than 1 minute beyond any question-type average. If you need that much\u00a0extra<\/em>\u00a0time, something\u2019s going wrong on this problem; your odds of getting it right have already gone way down. It\u2019s better to move on at that point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      question type<\/th>average time<\/th>avoid going beyond<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
      \u2013 RC\/MSR reading time<\/td>Shorter: 1.5 minutes
      Longer: 2 minutes<\/td>      		~2.5 minutes<\/td><\/tr>
      \u2013 Two-Part<\/td>2.5 minutes<\/td>~3.5 minutes<\/td><\/tr>
      \u2013 PS
      \u2013 DS, Table, Graph, MSR
      \u2013 CR<\/td>      		2 minutes<\/td>~3 minutes<\/td><\/tr>
      \u2013 RC questions<\/td>1.5 minutes<\/td>~2.5 minutes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      If you have been granted extended time, still hold to the \u201cdon\u2019t go more than\u00a01\u00a0minute beyond\u00a0your<\/em>\u00a0expected average\u201d guideline. For example, for 1.5x time, the expected average time for a PS problem is 3 minutes. Don\u2019t spend more than about 4 minutes on any one PS problem. For 2x time, the expected average time for a PS problem is 4 minutes. Don\u2019t spend more than about 5 minutes on any one PS problem. This is the only time that we\u2019re going to tell you not to adjust a timing measurement for your extended timing rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      How Do You Know It\u2019s Been a Minute?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      You\u2019re going to develop your 1-minute time sense<\/strong>. (Or your 1.5 minute sense or your 2 minute sense, if you have been granted extended time.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Open up the stopwatch on your tablet or phone. Look for the Start and Lap buttons (the start button may turn into the lap button after you start the stopwatch). And put your brain in Exam Mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      After you start the timer, try tapping the lap button to see what happens. The timer will mark the time at which you tapped Lap and<\/em> the timer will keep running. As you keep tapping the Lap button, you get a list of time intervals, each measuring from the last time you tapped Lap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Find a non-GMAT-related task that takes concentration, for instance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n