GMAT Timing Strategies: Everything About GMAT Time Management
GMAT timing strategies include section-wise guidelines for solving GMAT questions within exam duration. Explore expert recommended GMAT timing strategies to qualify for GMAT with excellent marks.
Shivani Kumari13 May, 2024
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GMAT Timing Strategies: Efficiently managing time during the GMAT is crucial to score well. However, many candidates face challenges in proper time management during the GMAT exam, which affects their performance.
- The GMAT exam essentially evaluates candidates' executive reasoning skills and their capability to assess complex scenarios, effectively prioritise tasks, and adhere to their choices. Essentially, the GMAT assesses candidates' aptitude for making sound business decisions.
Also Read: GMAT Syllabus 2024
Understanding GMAT Exam Pattern
To create GMAT timing strategy, candidates should initially understand the GMAT exam pattern. The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, meaning the difficulty level of the questions adjusts based on candidates' performance in preceding sections. The GMAT exam comprises three sections, each lasting 45 minutes. The following table presents the GMAT exam pattern and score range:| Section | No. of Questions | Time Limit | Question Types | Score Range |
| Verbal Reasoning | 23 | 45 minutes | Reading Comprehension Critical Reasoning | 60-90 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 21 | 45 minutes | Problem Solving Data Sufficiency | 60-90 |
| Data Insights | 20 | 45 minutes | Graphics Interpretation Data Analysis Integrated Reasoning Two-Part Analysis | 60-90 |
| Total | 64 | 2 hours 15 minutes | – | 205-805 |
Why Time Management is Crucial for GMAT?
The GMAT not only evaluates candidates' mathematical and verbal skills. It's also a test of candidates' ability to think critically within tight time constraints. The questions in the GMAT are deliberately crafted to confuse candidates. Additionally, the answer options are also similar to each other, which makes it challenging to select the most accurate option.To succeed, candidates must employ reasoning abilities and quickly tackle problems. For this, it is crucial to consistently practise questions within a deadline. Studying without a timer could prevent candidates from attempting all the questions during the GMAT.
GMAT Timing Strategies for Verbal Reasoning
GMAT Verbal Reasoning section includes 23 questions on topics like Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. To prepare GMAT timing strategies for the VR section, candidates should consider the following points:
- Understanding Average Time Distribution: Candidates must divide the time allocated for the verbal reasoning section into two parts. One is for the Critical Reasoning (CR) questions, and the other is for the Reading Comprehension (RC) questions.
- Flexibility in Time Allocation: Due to variations in difficulty and passage length, it's crucial to assign more time to solve the RC questions. Additionally, it is essential to keep the time allocation for RC within a range rather than a fixed time.
| Question Type | Usual Time Range | Maximum Time Range |
| Reading Comprehension (per passage) | Short: 4-5 minutes | 3-9 minutes |
| Long: 6-8 minutes | ||
| Critical Reasoning | 1.5-2 minutes | 1-4 minutes |
GMAT Timing Strategies for Quantitative Reasoning
The quant section is considered the most challenging part of the GMAT. It includes a total of 21 questions, and candidates get 45 minutes to solve these problems. Here are the recommended strategies to help candidates enhance their efficiency and solve the GMAt questions within the specified time limit:- Avoid Double-Checking : Given the stringent time constraints of the quant section, candidates can't get ample time to revisit and double-check their answers for accuracy. Therefore, it's crucial to work meticulously and accurately from the beginning.
- Solve Questions under Deadline : Solve each quant question of GMAT under a deadline during the preparation phase. This approach is crucial to developing an intuitive sense of solving each question under a time limit without having to look at the timer repeatedly.
- Realistic Expectations : Candidates should understand that each question may not adhere strictly to the predetermined deadline. Some questions may take less time, while some require extra time. So, candidates must keep flexibility in their GMAT timing strategies to make it realistic.
- Continuous Practice and Adaptation : Mastery of timing strategies requires consistent practice and modification. Expect to dedicate time and effort to develop a personalised approach that optimises candidates' performance while managing time effectively.
GMAT Timing Strategies for Data Insights
Data Insights is the newly added section in GMAT Focus. It comprises 20 questions based on topics like data analysis, graphical representation, integrated reasoning, etc. For effective time management in this section, candidates must follow the strategies provided below:- Master Data Sufficiency : Learn and improve the method to solve Data Sufficiency questions. Additionally, candidates should establish a reliable method for rephrasing questions, testing cases, and clearly determining the sufficiency of statements. By mastering these questions, candidates can build a strong foundation for the Data Insights (DI) section, which potentially improves time management.
- Strategic Data Processing : Instead of processing all data uniformly, candidates should identify the type of information provided in the DI section. Additionally, candidates should prioritise understanding the nature of the data. Identifying relevant data points and focusing on combining them to draw inferences effectively is essential for efficient performance in the GMAT DI section.
- Strategic Calculator Usage : GMAT facilitates the use of the onscreen calculator in the DI section. While the calculator is a valuable tool, candidates must aim to minimise reliance on it. The dependency of the calculator might lead to more time consumption, which may prevent candidates from completing the section under 45 minutes.
| Also Read | ||
| GMAT Eligibility | GMAT Admit Card | GMAT Syllabus |
| GMAT Exam Date | GMAT Preparation | GMAT Result |
| GMAT Exam Centre | GMAT Exam Day Guidelines | GMAT Dress Code |
| GMAT Cut Off | GMAT Colleges | GMAT Registration |
| GMAT Exam Pattern | ||
GMAT Timing Strategies FAQs<span style=
How to improve time in GMAT?
To improve time management in the GMAT, candidates must practise solving questions in a timely manner during the preparation phase. This includes setting a deadline to solve any question. Additionally, candidates should solve GMAT sample papers within 2 hours and 15 minutes, which is identical to the actual exam duration.
How can I improve my GMAT quant timing?
To improve GMAT Quant timing, candidates should set a 2-minute time approach. Although each question varies in difficulty level, setting a deadline for every question provides a guideline and helps candidates complete the entire section within the exam duration.
What is the ideal time to prep for GMAT?
Most beginner-level candidates need nearly 3-4 months to prepare for the GMAT. However, many candidates with a solid grasp of GMAT syllabus topics may need 1-2 months time to efficiently prepare for the GMAT.
Are calculators in GMAT helpful for time management?
Candidates should use the calculators strategically in GMAT. It is not recommended to rely on the calculator to solve every question as it mostly leads to time consumption. Therefore, candidates should use the calculators only when required and solve most questions with mental calculations.
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