Time Management Strategies for the GMAT

Why Time Management Matters on the GMAT

On the GMAT, every question counts. The test is computer-adaptive, meaning skipping or guessing without strategy can hurt your score more than you realize. Since you can’t return to previous questions, you must find the right balance between accuracy and speed.

The GMAT challenges your endurance across four sections:

• Analytical Writing Assessment (30 minutes)
• Integrated Reasoning (30 minutes)
• Quantitative Reasoning (62 minutes, 31 questions)
• Verbal Reasoning (65 minutes, 36 questions)

Timing Benchmarks for Each Section

Quantitative Reasoning

• Total: 62 minutes for 31 questions
• Benchmark: ~2 minutes per question
• Checkpoint: At question 10, ~42 minutes left
• Checkpoint: At question 20, ~22 minutes left

Verbal Reasoning

• Total: 65 minutes for 36 questions
• Benchmark: ~1.8 minutes per question
• Checkpoint: Question 12 at 43 minutes
• Checkpoint: Question 24 at 21 minutes

Integrated Reasoning

• 12 questions in 30 minutes
• Benchmark: 2.5 minutes per question

Analytical Writing Assessment

• One essay in 30 minutes
• Suggested timing: 5 minutes planning, 20 minutes writing, 5 minutes reviewing

General GMAT Time Management Strategies

• Use checkpoints: Memorize time markers to keep yourself on pace without constantly checking the clock.
• Don't obsess over one question: If you're stuck after 2.5 minutes, eliminate obvious wrongs, guess, and move on.
• Build speed with accuracy: Don’t rush at the cost of getting questions wrong—efficiency comes with smart practice.
• Mark “trap” questions: If a question seems unusually time-consuming, make your best guess and focus on the next one.

Section-Specific Time Strategies

Quantitative Section

• Data Sufficiency: These are designed for quick logic, not long calculations. Aim for 90–120 seconds max.
• Problem Solving: Use back-solving and estimation when exact math is time-consuming.
• Time-saving tip: Recognize when you’ve made a calculation trap—start over or skip to avoid time loss.

Verbal Section

• Sentence Correction: Spend no more than 60–75 seconds. Use split strategies to eliminate fast.
• Critical Reasoning: Aim for 90 seconds. Pre-think your answer before reading the choices.
• Reading Comprehension: Skim the passage in 2–3 minutes and spend ~90 seconds per question.

Integrated Reasoning

• Time trap alert: Multi-source reasoning and table analysis can take longer than expected. Use your scratchpad efficiently.
• Don’t aim for perfection: If one sub-question is confusing, move on—you won’t get partial credit anyway.

AWA Section

• Don’t skip outlining: A 3–5 minute plan saves time during writing and improves organization.
• Watch the clock: Stick to a 20-minute body writing window to leave time to polish your conclusion.

Practice Timing During Prep

• Use a timer in every session: Build internal pacing awareness by using 2-minute or 75-second timers per question type.
• Take full-length practice tests: Simulate real test day timing and stress to build endurance.
• Review your timing data: After each test, evaluate which question types cause you to slow down.

Smart Guessing Strategy

• Eliminate clearly wrong choices: Even if you must guess, increasing your odds is key.
• Make educated guesses: Use logic, even if you don’t know the content.
• Avoid random panic guessing: Instead, pick the most likely answer and move forward.
• Use guessing strategically: Better to guess once and save time for 5 later questions than get stuck and miss them all.

Avoiding Common Timing Pitfalls

• Starting too slow: Many test takers spend too much time on early questions. Keep a steady pace throughout.
• Panicking midway: If you’re behind, don’t speed through—refocus and trust your process.
• Relying only on the on-screen clock: Use checkpoints and mental pacing to stay balanced.

What to Do If You’re Running Out of Time

• Don’t leave any question blank: There’s no penalty for wrong answers, but blanks hurt your score significantly.
• Guess quickly and consistently: Use a pattern like B–C–B if you need to guess in bulk at the end.
• Stay calm: Anxiety wastes more time than questions do. Breathe and finish strong.

Test Day Time-Saving Tips

• Use your optional breaks wisely—recharge but return on time
• Use scratch paper efficiently—don’t over-organize or write excessively
• Skim RC passages rather than reading every word
• Take note of your pacing every 5–10 questions

Conclusion

Time management is a make-or-break factor on the GMAT. Practicing smart pacing, using checkpoints, and building timing awareness in your prep will directly impact your performance. Don’t aim for perfection—aim for consistency and control. With the right timing strategy, you’ll feel more confident, less rushed, and more capable of achieving your best score on test day.