GMAT Timing

[priancka]

I've taken 4 MGMAT practice tests and 1 GMATPrep test (in that order): In the quant section, I find myself getting so so caught up in working out the problem on my scratch pad, I completely lose track of when two minutes have passed. I then end up spending 3, 4 minutes attempting to solve a problem. I have tried to look at the screen to ensure I'm on track timing-wise but then find myself still getting caught up on at least 2-3 problems. I have also tried getting an idea of what 2 minutes "feels like" but again once I start on a problem, I lose track...

Never an issue with verbal, probably because I do not use my scratchpad much and so always have an eye on the clock.

Not sure if there's a way to solve this other than just trying to develop an internal timer or more practice but would definitely appreciate any tips!!! Thanks in advance!!

[RonPurewal]

I find myself getting so so caught up in working out the problem on my scratch pad, I completely lose track of when two minutes have passed.

remember this is a test on which perseverance is actually a bad word.

in other words -- if you completely lose track of when two minutes has passed, that's actually a sign that you're not studying with the correct priorities: you absolutely must consider time management to be of equal priority with actual content.

you essentially have the solution to this problem, though, later in this post.

I then end up spending 3, 4 minutes attempting to solve a problem.

three minutes should be the absolute upper limit.
under no circumstances should you take longer than that to solve a problem.

I have tried to look at the screen to ensure I'm on track timing-wise

if you have to look at the screen to ensure your timing is correct, this is a sign that you have an insufficiently calibrated "internal stopwatch".

you should try to get to the point where you actually don't look at the timer on the screen at all, except at designated time checkpoints.
there are a couple of different ways that you can designate checkpoints; here's an example:
TIME LEFT ... PROBLEM YOU SHOULD BE FINISHING
65 ... 5
55 ... 10
45 ... 15
35 ... 20
25 ... 25
15 ... 30
5 ... 35

the idea is that you should calibrate your internal stopwatch to the point where these are the ONLY times at which you have to look at the timer; you should be able to sustain your time management without looking at the timer between these checkpoints.

I have also tried getting an idea of what 2 minutes "feels like" but again once I start on a problem, I lose track...

this probably just means you haven't really tried to do this enough; it actually takes a fair amount of practice to develop a decently calibrated "internal stopwatch".

EVERY time you do ANY practice problems, you should do the following:
* HIDE THE TIMER
* DUE THE PROBLEM
* TRY TO GUESS HOW MUCH TIME YOU TOOK
* COMPARE YOUR ESTIMATE WITH THE STOPWATCH

this doesn't mean you have to disrupt the rhythm of multiple problems; if you have our mgmat stopwatch, you can use the "lap timer" to measure as many as 30 problems, individually, without ever stopping the clock.