Quant Strategy and Timing

[tlawrence316]

Just took 2 CATs...Thought I was prepared, but quant seemed brutal. Seemed like all I got was very difficult questions, and I didn't come anywhere near finishing - 28 questions finished and 36 score. It was dissappointing, because I considered myself a math guy (Though I'm older so its been over 20 years since I had to this kind of match). Studied ALOT more for Quant. Verbal was much better, not having any problems finishing, and scored 38. Combined 620. Didn't test IR yet.

When I analyzed the results, I found that on the quant, most of the questions were 700-800 range questions. For a good proportion of the questions, probably 35-40% of them, I probably had little chance of answering correctly; but for some, I could answer, but it will be a drag on my time. Any suggestions to maximize efficiency and score? I'm sure I am not the first one struggling with this.

Just an FYI, I went 2/2 on 500-600 level, 5/7 (darn remainder problems!) on 600-700, and 8/19 on 700-800. Should I try to answer more questions? Quick educated guesses on the ones I know I probably won't get? Is the penalty worse for guessing, than for not finishing? If I understand right, your score is more about what questions you miss than what or how many you get right, correct?

Just trying to see if I need to approach things differently. Help!

Tim

[StaceyKoprince]

That doesn't mean you're not a quant guy - you just messed up the timing and that can kill your score. :)

Start here for timing:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... to-win-it/
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... nt-part-1/

The first (short) one will get you into the overall mindset necessary for an adaptive test. The second gets into the nitty gritty details and will answer the questions in your last paragraph (though, of course, come back here if you have any further questions).

Also take a look at this:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -the-gmat/

Pay particular attention to the How To Study section.

Also read this:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -to-do-it/

Finally - did you actually take 2 CATs? Or did you mean 2 CAT sections: quant and verbal?

Practice CATs are really good for (a) figuring out where you're scoring right now, (b) practicing stamina, and (c) analyzing your strengths and weaknesses. The actual act of just taking the exam is NOT so useful for improving. It's what you do with the test results / between tests that helps you to improve.

In other words, never take 2 in a row. Taking another CAT before you've had time to work through whatever issues you identified in a previous CAT... that's a total waste of valuable study time.

[tlawrence316]

Thanks Stacy...

Very helpful links.

To answer your question, I took the two CATs on two separate days, pretty close together. I took a look at the problem areas after the first test and also realized I had a timing problem. The second test was an attempt to improve on the timing, and I did not improve at all.

I think what will help me is the not just practicing the "one-minute" internal clock; but I think having the attitude to be willing to get it wrong more quickly and move on has got to help. I've been resisting that because I must think I am closer to solving these difficult problems than I really am. The thing that drives me crazy is that given no time constraints I can solve most of the problems. I sounds like that is pretty common, and I just need to get over that and get into GMAT test mode mode, instead of school test mode.

Again, thanks again for the coaching. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Tim

[tlawrence316]

Just wanted to check back in...

After reading the links provided on "timing" issues, and spending a couple of days practicing timing awareness on difficult problems, I took another CAT 6 days after the last one. Kept to the timing well, found myself a couple of minutes ahead for most of the quant, and even had about 5 minutes left for the final excruciating probability/combinatorics problem. Still got it wrong...:)

As for the score - BIG IMPROVEMENT!!!

Went from 36 to 45 on the quant and from 620 to 690 on the overall score. Of course my verbal scores were unchanged. I think I'm pretty well locked in on about 38 on that.

Anyway, thanks for the help Stacy...I think I'm ready.

Tim

[StaceyKoprince]

Awesome! Yes, you're right, it's very common for people not to want to let go - and then they mess up the timing - and then the score drops big time.

In fact, I recently wrote an article about the "But I should know how to do this - I don't want to let go!" phenomenon. :)
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -to-do-it/

Let us know how it goes!