| It's a cliche, but it's true: Timing is everything. | | | | 3 questions, and around 8 minutes on a passage |
| In business: Did you buy or sell when the price | | | | with 4 questions. |
| peaked? In relationships: Did you meet a guy just | | | | In 2-3 minutes you need to read the passage |
| when he was getting out of a long-term | | | | carefully, absorb the information, and take notes. |
| relationship? In science: Did you publish an article | | | | During your GMAT prep, put yourself on the |
| on the heels of similar research? | | | | clock. Start getting used to reading a passage in 2 |
| The GMAT is no different. Timing — and an | | | | minutes (if the passage is between 25 and 40 |
| understanding of how best to pace yourself on | | | | lines) or 3 minutes (if the passage is more than |
| the test — can potentially impact your score | | | | 40 lines). After your time is up, force yourself to |
| by up to 100 points. Here's how to make sure | | | | move on to the questions. For each question, |
| you're a master of timing on the Reading Comp | | | | time yourself once again. After 1 minute 30 |
| section. | | | | seconds has passed, force yourself to choose an |
| Computer Adaptive Tests (CATs) have time | | | | answer, even if you're guessing. |
| constraints beyond what you may be used to | | | | While practicing pacing skills, you can return to the |
| from taking other standardized tests. Namely: | | | | questions later and see if you would choose the |
| * You can't go back. If you finish a section early | | | | same answer if you had unlimited time. As you |
| you cannot return to previous questions to double | | | | continue to practice, the answers you choose in |
| check your answer. | | | | the time constraint situation should more and |
| * You can't skip a question and plan to return to it | | | | more begin to mirror what you would choose if |
| later. You have to pick an answer choice (or | | | | allowed unlimited time. |
| guess) and move right along. | | | | My high school basketball coach used to say, |
| * You are penalized more for unanswered | | | | "Practice makes permanent." Why didn't he say |
| questions than for questions you get wrong. | | | | "Practice makes perfect?" If you continue to |
| For many test-takers, the clock in the corner of | | | | practice for the GMAT without forcing yourself to |
| the screen is a constant source of concern while | | | | pay attention to time constraints, you may get |
| taking the GMAT. "How much time should I spend | | | | really good at answering questions — you |
| on this question? At what point should I just | | | | might even get close to perfect. But you would |
| guess and move on? How much time can be | | | | be practicing wrong! "Practice, Practice, Practice" |
| sacrificed per question if it means getting the right | | | | only works if you are practicing the right way. |
| answer?" | | | | And on the GMAT, time matters! |
| Don't let stress over the clock have a negative | | | | Start getting used to spending 6-8 minutes |
| impact on your confidence or your GMAT score! | | | | reading and answering questions for a passage |
| You do not want the time crunch to take focus | | | | and it will become easier to work with the time |
| away from answering the questions correctly. | | | | you have without feeling pressured. |
| Consistently practicing time management skills will | | | | One more note: be mindful not to focus |
| allow you to become more comfortable with this | | | | exclusively on pacing too early in your study |
| aspect of the test and refocus your energy on | | | | preparation. First, focus on developing the skills |
| reasoning skills necessary to pick the correct | | | | necessary to pick the right answer in the Reading |
| answer choice. | | | | Comprehension section. Then, practice applying |
| At Knewton we recommend spending around 6 | | | | these skills in a timed environment. |
| minutes on a reading comprehension passage with | | | | |