<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>common GMAT mistakes – GMAT</title> <atom:link href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/tag/common-gmat-mistakes/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat</link> <description>GMAT Prep Course, Best GMAT Class & Study Books | Manhattan Prep GMAT</description> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 05 Sep 2019 16:00:08 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.2</generator> <item> <title>Fixing your GMAT Quant Timing Problem (Part 3: Test Day)</title> <link>https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/fixing-your-gmat-quant-timing-problem-part-3-test-day/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chelsey Cooley]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 08 Aug 2016 14:00:31 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[For Current Studiers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GMAT Prep]]></category> <category><![CDATA[How to Study]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Quant]]></category> <category><![CDATA[common GMAT mistakes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GMAT Quant Timing]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/?p=11832</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Did you know that you can attend the first session of any of our online or in-person GMAT courses absolutely free? We’re not kidding! Check out our upcoming courses here. You’ve been trying to improve your timing on the Quant section of the GMAT. You’ve already gotten into a timing-oriented mindset, and you’ve adopted the […]</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/fixing-your-gmat-quant-timing-problem-part-3-test-day/">Fixing your GMAT Quant Timing Problem (Part 3: Test Day)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat">GMAT</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11835" src="https://cdn2.manhattanprep.com/gmat/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2016/08/6-1-16-blog-2-p3.png" alt="Manhattan Prep GMAT Blog: Fixing Your GMAT Prep Timing Problem Part 3: Test Day by Chelsey Cooley" width="676" height="264" srcset="https://cdn2.manhattanprep.com/gmat/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2016/08/6-1-16-blog-2-p3.png 676w, https://cdn2.manhattanprep.com/gmat/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2016/08/6-1-16-blog-2-p3-300x117.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 676px) 100vw, 676px" /><strong><em>Did you know that you can attend the first session of any of our online or in-person GMAT courses absolutely free? We’re not kidding! <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=GMAT%20Complete%20Courses%20Plug&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog">Check out our upcoming courses here</a>.</em></strong></p> <hr /> <p>You’ve been trying to improve your timing on the Quant section of the GMAT. You’ve already gotten into a <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/2016/06/21/fixing-your-gmat-quant-timing-problem-part-1-how-to-think-about-timing/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Flsat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CC%2020%20-%20Fixing%20Your%20GMAT%20Quant%20Timing%20Problem%20Part%203%20Linkback%20to%20Part%201&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Bloghttps://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/2016/06/21/fixing-your-gmat-quant-timing-problem-part-1-how-to-think-about-timing/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CC%2020%20-%20Fixing%20Your%20GMAT%20Quant%20Timing%20Problem%20Part%203%20Linkback%20to%20Part%201&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog" target="_blank">timing-oriented mindset</a>, and you’ve adopted the <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/2016/06/27/fixing-your-gmat-quant-timing-problem-part-2-how-to-study/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CC%2020%20-%20Fixing%20Your%20GMAT%20Quant%20Timing%20Problem%20Part%203%20Linkback%20to%20Part%202&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog" target="_blank">recommended study habits for better Quant timing</a>. But what should you do when you’re actually taking the test? Follow these guidelines to maximize your Quant timing on test day.<span id="more-11832"></span></p> <ol> <li><strong>You’re going to miss questions. </strong>A lot of questions! That’s just how adaptive testing works. On test day, you’ll get something like 15 to 20 GMAT Quant questions wrong, same as the person next to you. The only thing that sets you apart is the difficulty of the questions you can <em>consistently</em> get right.</li> </ol> <p>Getting a single 800-level question right won’t do anything for your GMAT Quant score. Because the test is adaptive, your score will eventually drift back to what it should be. So, unless you’re aiming for an 800 on the GMAT (and you shouldn’t be!), 800-level questions are totally irrelevant to you. They might change your score for a minute or two, but that doesn’t matter in the long run. Getting an 800-level question right is much more likely to <em>hurt</em> your score overall, if it takes you more than two minutes to solve it. That’s extra time you could spend on other questions that are only slightly above your ability level. <em>Those</em> are the questions that can actually gain you some points on test day.</p> <p>If a question seems unreasonably tough, there’s no reason to do it. Ignore these questions entirely, and spend the time you save on the moderately-tough questions.</p> <ol start="2"> <li>But how do you know whether a question is unreasonably tough? First, <strong>spend more time reading, and less time writing. </strong>If you dive into a question immediately, without taking a breather and thinking through it, you’ll never know whether it’s hard or easy. Also, if you read too quickly on test day, you’ll miss opportunities for time- and energy-saving strategies such as Choosing Smart Numbers and Backsolving. Get in the habit of putting your pen completely down when you begin each problem. Don’t pick it up until you’ve decided whether to skip the problem or commit to it, and what your strategy will be. By the way, you probably only have enough time to try <em>one</em> strategy on each Quant problem. If you always immediately start with algebra, you’ll never get to backsolve or choose smart numbers!</li> <li><strong>Write down what you’re solving for first</strong>. Once you pick up your pen, the very first thing you write down should be what you’re solving for. This forces you to analyze how well you understand the problem. If you aren’t really sure what you’re solving for, move on to the next problem! It’ll also save you time when you don’t have to reread the problem later, and will help prevent careless errors.</li> <li>Try asking yourself this one simple question: <strong>do I have a plan?</strong> If you don’t have a clear plan to solve a Quant question by the 1-minute mark, you aren’t going to come up with something under pressure. Think back to all of the practice tests you’ve taken: have you ever been unsure how to solve a problem after 1 minute, but come up with and implemented a good solution within 2 minutes? That happens rarely, if ever, and it’s even less likely when you’re dealing with the stress of test day.</li> <li><strong>Stick to your timing plan. </strong>Don’t have a timing plan? <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/2014/09/23/how-to-set-up-your-gmat-scratch-paper/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CC%2020%20-%20Fixing%20Your%20GMAT%20Quant%20Timing%20Problem%20Part%203%20Link%20to%20SK%20How%20to%20Set%20Up%20Your%20Scratch%20Paper&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog" target="_blank">Try this one out</a> on your next practice test. If it helps you, the most important thing is to actually use it on test day. I’ve spoken with a handful of students who got great scores on GMAT practice tests, then blew it when it came time to take the real thing. The majority of those students tried to change something at the last minute. Either they switched to a different timing plan, or they threw the plan out the window entirely when faced with the pressure of test day. Don’t let that happen to you! Test day is the time to double down on the strategies that have already been proven to work. And if your test day is approaching and you still don’t have a timing plan you’re happy with, consider postponing your test until you’ve done a few successful practice tests. You’ll feel better on test day if you’ve had a couple of “dress rehearsals” beforehand.</li> </ol> <p>Don’t sweat it! If you’ve been studying in the way described <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/2014/09/23/how-to-set-up-your-gmat-scratch-paper/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CC%2020%20-%20Fixing%20Your%20GMAT%20Quant%20Timing%20Problem%20Part%203%20Link%20to%20SK%20How%20to%20Set%20Up%20Your%20Scratch%20Paper&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog" target="_blank">in the previous article</a>, and if you’ve been taking practice tests with good timing, then you already know what to do. It might feel like you’re skipping too many questions, or making too many fast guesses, but you probably aren’t. Instead, you’re demonstrating exactly the skills the GMAT is designed to test: executive reasoning and making tough decisions. Just carry that mindset into the testing center with you, and watch your GMAT Quant score skyrocket. ?</p> <hr /> <p><strong>Want full access to Chelsey’s sage GMAT wisdom? Try the first class of one of <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CooleyCoursesLinkGMATBlog&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog#instructor/336">her upcoming GMAT courses</a> absolutely free, no strings attached. </strong></p> <hr /> <p><em><strong><a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/instructors/chelsey-cooley/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgre%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CooleyBioGREBlog&utm_campaign=GRE%20Blog" target="_blank">Chelsey Cooley</a><a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/instructors/chelsey-cooley/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgre%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CooleyBioGREBlog&utm_campaign=GRE%20Blog" target="_blank"><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-10949 size-thumbnail" title="Chelsey Cooley Manhattan Prep GMAT Instructor" src="https://d27gmszdzgfpo3.cloudfront.net/gmat/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2016/01/chelsey-cooley-150x150.png" alt="Chelsey Cooley Manhattan Prep GMAT Instructor" width="150" height="150" /></a> is a Manhattan Prep instructor based in Seattle, Washington.</strong> Chelsey always followed her heart when it came to her education. Luckily, her heart led her straight to the perfect background for GMAT and GRE teaching: she has undergraduate degrees in mathematics and history, a master’s degree in linguistics, a 790 on the GMAT, and a perfect 170/170 on the GRE. Check out Chelsey’s upcoming GMAT prep offerings <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CooleyCoursesLinkGMATBlog&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog#instructor/336">here</a>.</em></p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/fixing-your-gmat-quant-timing-problem-part-3-test-day/">Fixing your GMAT Quant Timing Problem (Part 3: Test Day)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat">GMAT</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Fixing your GMAT Quant Timing Problem (Part 2: How to Study)</title> <link>https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/fixing-your-gmat-quant-timing-problem-part-2-how-to-study/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chelsey Cooley]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 27 Jun 2016 16:58:32 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[For Current Studiers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GMAT Prep]]></category> <category><![CDATA[How to Study]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Quant]]></category> <category><![CDATA[common GMAT mistakes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GMAT mistakes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GMAT Quant Mistakes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GMAT Quant Pacing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GMAT Quant Timing]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/?p=11616</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Did you know that you can attend the first session of any of our online or in-person GMAT courses absolutely free? We’re not kidding! Check out our upcoming courses here. If timing on the Quant section is keeping your GMAT score down, you’ve come to the right place! First, check out the previous article in […]</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/fixing-your-gmat-quant-timing-problem-part-2-how-to-study/">Fixing your GMAT Quant Timing Problem (Part 2: How to Study)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat">GMAT</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em><img decoding="async" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11617" src="https://cdn2.manhattanprep.com/gmat/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2016/06/6-1-16-blog-2-p2.png" alt="Manhattan Prep GMAT Blog - Fixing Your GMAT Quant Timing Problem (Part 2: How to Study) by Chelsey Cooley" width="676" height="264" srcset="https://cdn2.manhattanprep.com/gmat/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2016/06/6-1-16-blog-2-p2.png 676w, https://cdn2.manhattanprep.com/gmat/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2016/06/6-1-16-blog-2-p2-300x117.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 676px) 100vw, 676px" />Did you know that you can attend the first session of any of our online or in-person GMAT courses absolutely free? We’re not kidding! <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=GMAT%20Complete%20Courses%20Plug&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog">Check out our upcoming courses here</a>.</em></strong></p> <hr /> <p>If timing on the Quant section is keeping your GMAT score down, you’ve come to the right place! First, <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/2016/06/21/fixing-your-gmat-quant-timing-problem-part-1-how-to-think-about-timing/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CC%2019%20Fixing%20Your%20GMAT%20Quant%20Timing%20Problem%20-%20Part%202%20How%20to%20Study%20Linkback%20to%20Part%201&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog" target="_blank">check out the previous article in this series</a> and get into a timing-oriented mindset. Then, read the tips below, and learn about the study practices that will strengthen your Quant timing.<span id="more-11616"></span></p> <ol> <li>D<strong>o timed GMAT Quant sets every single time you study</strong>. Are you taking our <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=GMAT%20Complete%20Courses%20Plug&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog" target="_blank">GMAT Complete Course</a>? Do your homework assignments from the <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/store/official-guides-for-gmat/official-guide-for-gmat-review-2016/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=GMAT%20Official%20Guide%20Plug&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog" target="_blank">Official Guide</a> to the GMAT as one long, timed set each week. <strong>Don’t</strong> check your answer after each problem. Instead, use a countdown timer while you work, set to 2:00 multiplied by the number of problems. Your goal is to answer every problem before the timer goes off, <em>even if you have to guess randomly</em>. You’re only allowed to review after you’ve finished all of the problems.</li> </ol> <p>If you aren’t taking a GMAT course, construct timed Quant sets on your own! Start by downloading <a href="//www.mba.com/us/the-gmat-exam/prepare-for-the-gmat-exam/test-prep-materials/free-gmat-prep-software.aspx" target="_blank">the official GMAT Prep software from mba.com</a>. It comes with a small number of free GMAT practice problems, and lets you create timed, randomized practice sets. If you run out of problems, you can also purchase <a href="//www.mba.com/us/store/store-catalog/gmat-preparation/gmatprep-question-pack-1.aspx" target="_blank">400 more</a>. Start by doing randomized sets of 5 problems — two Data Sufficiency problems and three Problem Solving problems. As your timing improves, start doing sets of 10 or even 20 problems in a row.</p> <ol start="2"> <li><strong>Study content areas where you often take too long on problems, even if you usually get those problems right</strong>. As you review, take notes on which problems take you the longest. For many students, <a href="//www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/store/strategy-guides/word-problems/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=Word%20Problems%20Strategy%20Guide%2C%206th%20Edition%20Plug&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog" target="_blank">word problems</a> and <a href="//www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/store/strategy-guides/fractions-decimals-and-percents/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=Fractions%2C%20Decimals%2C%20%26%20Percents%20Strategy%20Guide%2C%206th%20Edition%20Plug&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog" target="_blank">FDPs</a> are the most time-consuming Quant problem types. That means you should do sets of problems of those types, focusing on finishing as quickly as possible and guessing proactively. Here are a few sets from the <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/store/official-guides-for-gmat/official-guide-for-gmat-review-2016/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=The%20Official%20Guide%20for%20GMAT%20Review%202016&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog" target="_blank">Official Guide to the GMAT, 2016 edition</a> for you to try on your own. Can you finish each of these sets in no more than 11 minutes?<br /> <table style="height: 94px;" width="518"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="61"><strong>Set 1</strong></td> <td width="577">PS 87, PS 107, PS 112, DS 45, DS 88</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="61"><strong>Set 2</strong></td> <td width="577">PS 58, PS 72, PS 100, DS 30, DS 77</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </li> </ol> <ol start="3"> <li><strong>Step up your arithmetic game</strong>. Having great timing isn’t about doing math faster! But <em>if </em>you’ve decided to work through a problem, you can save precious seconds by doing arithmetic quickly and accurately. We recommend the end-of-chapter problem sets from <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/store/strategy-guides/foundations-of-gmat-math/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=Foundations%20of%20GMAT%20Math%20Plug&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog" target="_blank">Foundations of GMAT Math</a>: set a timer and see how fast you can complete one set. A week later, try the same set again and attempt to beat your time.</li> <li><strong>Change the way you take practice tests</strong>. Think of every practice test as an opportunity to try a different timing strategy, until you find one that works for you. We’ll talk more about timing strategies in the last article in this series. But for now, try out the strategy recommended in Stacey Koprince’s <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/2014/09/23/how-to-set-up-your-gmat-scratch-paper/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CC%2019%20-%20Fixing%20Your%20GMAT%20Quant%20Timing%20Problem%20-%20Part%202%20How%20to%20Study%20Link%20to%20SK%20Scratch%20Paper&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog" target="_blank">How to Set Up Your GMAT Scratch Paper</a>. Memorize the timing benchmarks for the Quant section ahead of time, and write them at the bottom corner of each page in your scratch booklet. If you reach the end of a page and you’re three minutes ahead, slow down and start double-checking your work. If you’re three or more minutes behind, guess immediately on the next problem that looks time-consuming. Keep doing this until you’re back on track, even if it means you need to guess randomly two or three times in a row. If you’re <em>really</em> behind, you might even need to guess on problems that don’t look hard. Don’t lose heart, though. It’s only a practice test – and when you review, you’ll learn something about how to avoid developing a timing issue in the first place.</li> </ol> <p>By the way, <strong>always review your timing along with your accuracy</strong>. Check out this article for more detail on <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/2016/03/07/the-7-reasons-youre-struggling-with-timing-on-gmat-quant/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CC%2019%20-%20Fixing%20Your%20GMAT%20Quant%20Timing%20Problem%20-%20Part%202%20How%20to%20Study%20Link%20to%20CC%2013&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog" target="_blank">how to review your timing on a practice test</a>. In short: if you keep a problem log, don’t just record the problems that you got wrong. Record the ones you spent too much time on, and redo them later, even if you got them right! Your goal is to either make a good, fast guess on every problem, or solve it in under 2:30-2:45 at most.</p> <p>The last article in this series will help you with the final piece in the Quant timing puzzle: what to do on test day to maximize your score. But for now, adopt these good study habits and watch your speed and confidence increase over the next couple of weeks. ?</p> <hr /> <p><strong>Want full access to Chelsey’s sage GMAT wisdom? Try the first class of one of <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CooleyCoursesLinkGMATBlog&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog#instructor/336">her upcoming GMAT courses</a> for absolutely free, no strings attached. </strong></p> <hr /> <p><em><strong><a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/instructors/chelsey-cooley/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgre%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CooleyBioGREBlog&utm_campaign=GRE%20Blog" target="_blank">Chelsey Cooley</a><a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/instructors/chelsey-cooley/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgre%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CooleyBioGREBlog&utm_campaign=GRE%20Blog" target="_blank"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignleft wp-image-10949 size-thumbnail" title="Chelsey Cooley Manhattan Prep GMAT Instructor" src="https://d27gmszdzgfpo3.cloudfront.net/gmat/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2016/01/chelsey-cooley-150x150.png" alt="Chelsey Cooley Manhattan Prep GMAT Instructor" width="150" height="150" /></a> is a Manhattan Prep instructor based in Seattle, Washington.</strong> Chelsey always followed her heart when it came to her education. Luckily, her heart led her straight to the perfect background for GMAT and GRE teaching: she has undergraduate degrees in mathematics and history, a master’s degree in linguistics, a 790 on the GMAT, and a perfect 170/170 on the GRE. Check out Chelsey’s upcoming GMAT prep offerings <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CooleyCoursesLinkGMATBlog&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog#instructor/336">here</a>.</em></p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/fixing-your-gmat-quant-timing-problem-part-2-how-to-study/">Fixing your GMAT Quant Timing Problem (Part 2: How to Study)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat">GMAT</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>The 7 Reasons You’re Struggling with Timing on GMAT Quant</title> <link>https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/the-7-reasons-youre-struggling-with-timing-on-gmat-quant/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chelsey Cooley]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 07 Mar 2016 19:28:05 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[For Current Studiers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GMAT Prep]]></category> <category><![CDATA[How to Study]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Quant]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Taking the GMAT]]></category> <category><![CDATA[common GMAT mistakes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GMAT mistakes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GMAT Quant Mistakes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GMAT Quant Pacing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GMAT Quant Timing]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/?p=11112</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Did you know that you can attend the first session of any of our online or in-person GMAT courses absolutely free? We’re not kidding! Check out our upcoming courses here. A lot of my GMAT students struggle to nail down their timing on the Quant section. If you’re in this situation, you can’t just tell […]</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/the-7-reasons-youre-struggling-with-timing-on-gmat-quant/">The 7 Reasons You’re Struggling with Timing on GMAT Quant</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat">GMAT</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-11114" src="https://cdn2.manhattanprep.com/gmat/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2016/03/blog-struggle.png" alt="blog-struggle" width="676" height="264" srcset="https://cdn2.manhattanprep.com/gmat/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2016/03/blog-struggle.png 676w, https://cdn2.manhattanprep.com/gmat/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2016/03/blog-struggle-300x117.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 676px) 100vw, 676px" /><strong><em>Did you know that you can attend the first session of any of our online or in-person GMAT courses absolutely free? We’re not kidding! <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=GMAT%20Complete%20Courses%20Plug&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog">Check out our upcoming courses here</a>.</em></strong></p> <hr /> <p>A lot of my GMAT students struggle to nail down their timing on the Quant section. If you’re in this situation, you can’t just tell yourself that you’ll work faster next time. Instead, with the help of this post, figure out where your timing problem is coming from. Then you’ll know exactly how to fix it.<span id="more-11112"></span></p> <ol> <li><strong> Getting blindsided</strong></li> </ol> <p>Most GMAT test-takers don’t have great timing the first time they ever try a Quant section. You’ll probably need to try a few times before you get a feel for the pace of the test and how quickly you have to answer questions. If you’ve only done one practice test and your timing was horrible, don’t panic. Before you give up, spend a week or two studying and then try again, this time making timing your top priority.</p> <ol start="2"> <li><strong> Diving in without a plan</strong></li> </ol> <p>Good timing is easier when you plan <em>before</em> you start taking the test. Don’t have a timing plan? Use <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/how-to-set-up-your-gmat-scratch-paper/" target="_blank">this one</a> on your next practice test. It’s easy and only takes a few minutes to learn.</p> <ol start="3"> <li><strong> Lack of timing awareness</strong></li> </ol> <p>Maybe you’ve found yourself looking up at the clock, thinking only a minute has passed, to find that it’s actually been five minutes and you haven’t finished the problem. To build your timing awareness, try doing timing awareness drills. While you study, set a timer on your phone, and turn it over so you can’t see the screen. When you think two minutes have passed, flip the phone back over and check your accuracy. Repeat this until you can consistently estimate 1 and 2 minutes.</p> <ol start="4"> <li><strong> Slow math</strong></li> </ol> <p>On some problems, you might have done fine if you’d only done the arithmetic faster. You had the right approach, you just fumbled with the actual numbers. Even if you already <em>know</em> how to do the math, you can still benefit from speed drills. Try the end-of-chapter drills from <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/store/strategy-guides/foundations-of-gmat-math/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=Foundations%20of%20GMAT%20Math%20Plug&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog" target="_blank">Foundations of Math</a>, and the arithmetic drills at <a href="//arithmetic.zetamac.com/" target="_blank">arithmetic.zetamac.com</a>. See how fast you can get while still maintaining good accuracy.</p> <ol start="5"> <li><strong> Picking the wrong strategy</strong></li> </ol> <p>Maybe you started the problem the wrong way, and only realized it once you were two minutes in. If this does happen on test day, the right response is usually to guess and move on. But how do you avoid it in the first place? First, start thinking of Choosing Smart Numbers and Backsolving as first-line strategies, not last resorts. Start reading story problems more slowly, and <em>look at the answer choices </em>before you begin working on any problem. The answer choices often contain crucial hints to what approach to use. Also, start a “<a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gre/blog/heres-how-to-always-know-what-to-do-on-any-gre-problem/" target="_blank">When I see this, do this</a>” table for problem types that cause you trouble.</p> <ol start="6"> <li><strong> Just a few more seconds…</strong></li> </ol> <p>You know that you’ve spent more than two minutes on a problem already, but you’re sure that if you just had another 10 or 15 seconds, you’d be able to get it right. Right? Wrong. You look up at the clock, and realize that your 10 or 15 seconds have turned into a minute or more. Start being <em>very</em> skeptical of the voice in your head that tells you that another few seconds will be worth it. Unless you only have one or two lines of math to do, it’s probably not going to happen. And that’s okay.</p> <ol start="7"> <li><strong> Not getting out while you still can</strong></li> </ol> <p>Some timing problems are just pure stubbornness. I like to think of ‘too long’ problems as falling into three categories. Some of them are problems you could’ve done quickly if you’d only done the arithmetic faster. Others are problems that you could’ve done quickly if you’d noticed the correct strategy and known how to use it.</p> <p>Finally, there are problems that are <strong>just too hard for you to do in two minutes (today)</strong>. The only way to handle these problems is to dodge them. How? Develop a habit of <em>always</em> moving on at the 2:45 or 3:00 mark, regardless of how close you are to finishing a problem. Also, take notes whenever you review a problem like this. What was it about the problem that made it so hard? Could you have recognized it more quickly?</p> <p><em>On test day</em>, if you don’t understand a problem after 1 minute and two thorough readings, it’s probably not going to happen – ditch it and move on.</p> <p>Not all timing problems are alike, but all timing problems can be fixed. Now is the time to change how you work: failing on a practice test or while doing timed sets alone is <strong>good</strong>, because you have a chance to learn from it. If you don’t ever completely screw up a practice test while testing a new approach, you’re probably not being creative enough. Target your timing problems just as diligently and creatively as you target content issues, and watch your Quant score improve. ?</p> <hr /> <p><strong>Want full access to Chelsey’s sage GMAT wisdom? Try the first class of one of <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CooleyCoursesLinkGMATBlog&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog#instructor/336">her upcoming GMAT courses</a> for absolutely free, no strings attached. </strong></p> <hr /> <p><em><strong><a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/instructors/chelsey-cooley/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgre%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CooleyBioGREBlog&utm_campaign=GRE%20Blog" target="_blank">Chelsey Cooley</a><a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/instructors/chelsey-cooley/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgre%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CooleyBioGREBlog&utm_campaign=GRE%20Blog" target="_blank"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignleft wp-image-10949 size-thumbnail" title="Chelsey Cooley Manhattan Prep GMAT Instructor" src="https://d27gmszdzgfpo3.cloudfront.net/gmat/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2016/01/chelsey-cooley-150x150.png" alt="Chelsey Cooley Manhattan Prep GMAT Instructor" width="150" height="150" /></a> is a Manhattan Prep instructor based in Seattle, Washington.</strong> Chelsey always followed her heart when it came to her education. Luckily, her heart led her straight to the perfect background for GMAT and GRE teaching: she has undergraduate degrees in mathematics and history, a master’s degree in linguistics, a 790 on the GMAT, and a perfect 170/170 on the GRE. Check out Chelsey’s upcoming GMAT prep offerings <a href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgmat%2Fblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=CooleyCoursesLinkGMATBlog&utm_campaign=GMAT%20Blog#instructor/336">here</a>.</em></p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/the-7-reasons-youre-struggling-with-timing-on-gmat-quant/">The 7 Reasons You’re Struggling with Timing on GMAT Quant</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat">GMAT</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>These are the most common GMAT study mistakes</title> <link>https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/the-6-most-common-gmat-study-mistakes/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Manhattan Prep]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 08 Sep 2015 08:00:37 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Apps and Admissions]]></category> <category><![CDATA[For Current Studiers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GMAT 101]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GMAT Resources]]></category> <category><![CDATA[How to Study]]></category> <category><![CDATA[MBA]]></category> <category><![CDATA[common GMAT mistakes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GMAT]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GMAT help]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GMAT mistakes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GMAT prep]]></category> <category><![CDATA[gmat study guide]]></category> <category><![CDATA[gmat study help]]></category> <category><![CDATA[gmat study tips]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/?p=10133</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p> Manhattan Prep GMAT Instructor Jonathan Schneider explains some of the most common mistakes he sees students make when studying for the GMAT. Be sure to check back every Tuesday for a new video in our GMAT 101 series, detailing the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the GMAT.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/the-6-most-common-gmat-study-mistakes/">These are the most common GMAT study mistakes</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat">GMAT</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> </p> <p><iframe loading="lazy" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HCjnvUVGguE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p>Manhattan Prep GMAT Instructor Jonathan Schneider explains some of the most common mistakes he sees students make when studying for the GMAT.</p> <p>Be sure to check back every Tuesday for a new video in our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMMGaA6qVEqn7TWYP1DMirjnZAlzw123S"><strong>GMAT 101 series</strong></a>, detailing the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the GMAT.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/the-6-most-common-gmat-study-mistakes/">These are the most common GMAT study mistakes</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat">GMAT</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> </channel> </rss>