Timing Map/Strategy

[Melie19]

Hi All,

I'm 3 weeks away from my exam and I KNOW my pacing and time spent on each question needs work. There was a timing map i reviewed in one of my courses, that for the life of me I can't find. Can you please provide it?
Basically it was something like this: by question X you should be 10 minutes in; something like that.

Anything to help would be great.

Also i'm in a study group with some friends; we're basically teaching each other our strong points; which hopefully works out. What would you recommend for a 5 hour (w/ lunch) study session. This is our basic format:

9 - 10:30 Review homework/issues (quant)
10:30 - 12 New Stuff/Area (quant)
12 - 12:30 Break
12:30 -2 Verbal and Test Tips (basically what to do on test day).

Thanks in advance

[StaceyKoprince]

The below is set up a little bit differently than what you learned in class (it was during a lab, by the way, so that may be why you're having trouble finding it). I adjust the info to match what I see on the screen, since the clock counts down from 75; this makes it easier (for me, anyway!) to remember.

For math, the timing's pretty easy: you have about 2 min. per question, so:
at Q10, you should have about 55 minutes left
at Q20, you should have about 37 minutes left
at Q30, you should have about 15 minutes left

Basically, at any point in the math, you can take the number of the question you're on, double it, and subtract it from 75 to see whether you're on track - your answer should be pretty close to the number of minutes remaining. I wouldn't really do this during the test b/c it takes precious time, though, so it's best to memorize the timing for quarters of the test (eg, every 10 questions).

For verbal, it gets trickier, because you'll need to spend extra time reading RC passages, and those can be scattered differently about the test. Generally, you need to follow the below schedule, but also keep track of how many RC passages you've had so far (most people get 4, total) and factor this in. If you've got 6 questions to go and you've only had three RC passages so far, you're going to need to have a little more time left than if you've already had 4 RC passages at that point.
at Q10, you should have about 55 - 58 minutes left
at Q20, you should have about 36 - 39 minutes left
at Q30, you should have about 18-21 minutes left

I'm really happy you've got a study group - that's the best way to study and, for those of you reading this who don't have a study group, go bully some friends into taking the GMAT right away so you can have a study group of your very own. :)

I think your study session looks like a good one. A couple of things: have a set agenda or assignments (eg, have several people know ahead of time that they will be teaching certain problems to the group so they can think about those problems and come in prepared). This will make your time both more efficient and more effective. Second, DO NOT talk about the test or anything related to it during your lunch break. Talk about what you guys are going to do to celebrate after the test is over, or anything you like, but NOTHING to do with the test. Make it a true mental break.

Good luck!