Review some general strategies for the GMAT. Even if you’ve read about these strategies elsewhere, of if they seem like common sense to you, it’s a good idea to reinforce them in your mind.

1. Know Your Optimal Pace, and Stay on It
   
   Time is definitely a factor on every section of the GMAT. On the multiple-choice sections, expect to work at quicker pace than is comfortable for you. Similarly, the 30-minute time limit for each AWA response requires a lively writing pace, allowing little time for editing, revising, and fine-tuning.
   
   During the multiple-choice sections, check your pace after every 10 questions or so (three times during a section), and adjust it accordingly so that you have time to at least consider every question in the section. During each essay section be sure to leave yourself enough time to cover all your main points and to wrap up your essay with a brief concluding paragraph. The best way to avoid the time squeeze is to practice under timed conditions, so that you get a sense for your optimal pace.
   
   
2. If You’re Not Sure What the Correct Answer Is, Don’t Dwell on It . . . Move on
   
   This tip is closely related to the previous one. You might find yourself reluctant to leave a question until you’re sure your answer is correct. The design of the CAT contributes to this mind set, because your reward for correct responses to difficult questions is greater than your reward for easier questions. But a stubborn attitude will only defeat you, because it reduces the number of questions you may attempt, which in turn can lower your score. Set aside your perfectionist tendencies and remember: You can miss quite a few questions and still score high. Develop a sense of your optimal pace—one that results in the greatest number of correct responses.
   
   
3. Take Your Time with the First Few Quantitative and Verbal Questions
   
   The CAT uses your responses to the first few questions to move you either up or down the ladder of difficulty. Of course, you want to move up the ladder, not down. So take great care with the initial questions—perhaps moving at a somewhat slower pace. Otherwise, you’ll have to answer several questions just to reverse the trend by proving to the CAT that you’re smarter than it thinks you are.
   
   
4. Avoid Random Guesswork, If Possible
   
   If you must guess, always try to eliminate obvious wrong-answer choices first, then go with your hunch. Eliminating even one choice improves your odds. If you’re out of time on a section, there’s no advantage to guessing randomly on the remaining questions. Why? You might luck out and guess correctly. However, incorrect responses move you down the ladder of difficulty, and correct responses to easier questions aren’t worth as much as correct responses to more difficult questions. So on balance, there’s no net advantage to guessing randomly.
   
   
5. Read Each Question in Its Entirety, and Read Every Answer Choice
   
   You’ll discover in the days ahead that the test-makers love to bait you with tempting wrong-answer choices. This applies to every type of multiplechoice question on the exam. So unless you’re quickly running out of time, never confirm an answer until you’ve read all the choices! This blunder is one of the leading causes of incorrect responses on the GMAT.
   
   
6. Maintain an Active Mind Set
   
   During the GMAT, it’s remarkably easy to fall into a passive mode—one in which you let your eyes simply pass over the words while you hope that the correct response jumps out at you as you scan the answer choices. Fight this tendency by interacting with the test as you read it. Keep in mind that each question on the GMAT is designed to measure a specific ability or skill. So try to adopt an active, investigative approach to each question, in which you ask yourself:
   
   
   • What skill is the question measuring?
   • What is the most direct thought process to determine the correct response?
   • How might a careless test-taker be tripped up on this type of question?
   
   Answering these three questions is, in large part, what the rest of this book is all about.
   
   
7. Use Your Pencil and Scratch Paper
   
   Using pencil and paper helps keep you in an active mode. Making brief notes and drawing diagrams and flow charts will help keep your thought process clear.
   
   
8. Move the Keyboard Aside for the Multiple-Choice Sections
   
   You won’t use the keyboard at all for these sections. So put your scratch paper right in front of you, and get the keyboard out of the way.
   
   
9. Know the Test Directions Inside and Out—Before You Take the Test
   
   Just before the first question of each type (e.g., Data Sufficiency or Reading Comprehension) the CAT will display the directions for that question type. The clock will be running, so dismiss the directions as quickly as possible by clicking on the DISMISS DIRECTIONS button. time to read (This advice presupposes that you already know the directions—which of course you will!)
   
   
10. Use the 5-Minute Breaks, but Keep an Eye on the Time
    
    Remember: The GMAT CAT clock is always running, even during the two scheduled 5-minute breaks. By all means, take advantage of these breaks to leave the room, perhaps grab a quick snack from your locker, and do some stretching or relaxing. But don’t get too relaxed! Five minutes goes by very quickly, and the test will begin after that time has elapsed—with or without you!
    
    

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