GMAT Time Management Tips and Tricks 2025

GMAT Exam: GMAT exam preparation is a crucial stage wherein students often juggle with GMAT exam preparation and do a lot of research on how to prepare for the GMAT exam and what the GMAT exam's purpose is. Well, we will now resolve all such queries and make the GMAT exam preparation a smooth journey and help you get into your desired university education.

This Story also Contains

1. Understanding the Significance of the GMAT Exam Time Management
2. Importance of Time Management on the GMAT Exam
3. Overview of the Exam Structure: How GMAT Exam Scoring is Measured
4. Different Types of Questions Asked in the GMAT Exam Sections:
5. 3 Most Important GMAT Exam Time Management Tips and Tricks:
6. GMAT Time Management Tips and Tricks 2025:
7. GMAT Exam Timing Strategies:
8. Shortcut Methods for the GMAT Exam Quantitative Section:
9. Prioritising Questions in the GMAT Exam Integrated Reasoning:
10. Importance of GMAT Exam Practice:
11. Importance of GMAT Exam Timed Practice Tests:
12. Reviewing and Analyzing Your Performance
13. Adjusting Your Strategy Based on Practice Test Results
14. GMAT Exam Test Day Strategies:
15. Preparing Mentally and Physically
16. Using Breaks Effectively
17. GMAT Exam Time Management Tips and Tricks: Key Takeaways
18. Recap of Key Time Management Strategies
19. Encouragement and Motivation for Test Day
20. Other Useful GMAT Exam Preparation Materials

Understanding the Significance of the GMAT Exam Time Management

One of the most vital aspects of the GMAT exam is not just concerning the GMAT exam syllabus, but also the way we manage to perform and attempt the GMAT exam. It is also advisable to understand the difference between GMAT and GMAT examinations so that the candidates can mend their GMAT exam preparation as required.

Importance of Time Management on the GMAT Exam

Preparing for the GMAT exam and racing through the questions to finish it on time and acquire a high score can be challenging if you need proper GMAT exam time management strategies. We often see students struggling to spend an equal amount of time on each question, forgetting that the GMAT exam is a computer-adaptive test, not just a computer-based test.

The GMAT exam time management tips and tricks will help you overcome your anxieties and show you a clear way of managing the exam more accurately.

Overview of the Exam Structure: How GMAT Exam Scoring is Measured

Designed to assess critical thinking, analytical writing, problem-solving skills, and understanding of complex data, the GMAT exam is a key component for aspiring MBA students.

The GMAT exam is a computer-adaptive test (CAT) that adjusts the difficulty of questions based on your responses. It consists of three segments and the following number of questions to be answered in the given time frame.

• Quantitative Reasoning: 21 questions, 45 minutes

• Verbal Reasoning: 23 questions, 45 minutes

• Data Insights: 20 questions, 45 minutes

Different Types of Questions Asked in the GMAT Exam Sections:

It is necessary that the candidates are aware of the different types of questions asked in the three sections of the GMAT exam.

Quantitative Reasoning

• Problem Solving: Requires knowledge of arithmetic and elementary algebra. Relies on logic and analytical skills.

Verbal Reasoning

• Reading Comprehension: Tests the main idea, supporting idea, inference, application, logical structure, and style.
• Critical Reasoning: Tests the ability to make/evaluate arguments and plans of action. No specialised subject knowledge is required.
• Data Sufficiency: Analyses quantitative problems to determine relevant data.
• Multi-Source Reasoning: Examines data from multiple sources to answer questions.
• Table Analysis: Analyses tables of data for relevance and conditions.
• Graphics Interpretation: Interprets information in graphs and other graphical images.
• Two-Part Analysis: Solves complex problems, both quantitative and verbal.

3 Most Important GMAT Exam Time Management Tips and Tricks:

GMAT exam practice tests and mock tests will give you the confidence to attempt the real exam optimistically, and you must know some GMAT exam tips and tricks to feel the same.

• GMAT Exam Time Management Tip 1: Analysing Your Strengths and Weaknesses

In your practice time, you should thoroughly check the questions that you have mastered and the regular weaknesses that you face. Your daily practice has to be done in timed conditions while managing time. Always keep in mind that one of the best GMAT exam time management tips is to give proper time to the beginning of the section, as this is computer adaptive, and each wrong answer may cause trouble to you. Spending enough time will keep you away from silly errors, for example, if you feel you have finished the question in less than a minute, you must reread it to check and understand if you have attempted it correctly. You should avoid multitasking.

• GMAT Exam Time Management Tip 2: Establishing Realistic Goals for Each Question

Every question counts toward your score, so do not go by the myth that only the initial questions will set your score. The GMAT exam time management tip is that you should be pacing and increasing your speed as you attempt each question of the GMAT exam. You should avoid distractions.

When you attempt the practice test, you should be in the habit of checking the time (countdown) so that you can adjust or set the time. This will help you be cautious on the exam day and also manage the GMAT exam time. Goal setting plays an important role in scoring well in the exam.

One of the effective GMAT exam time management tips is that you should spend a maximum of three minutes on any question, as beyond this, you might end up going wrong or even getting stuck. At this stage, you should apply the educated guess rule and move on. Remember that not being able to attempt the question can severely penalise you. You should set focus hours while studying.

Hence, if you are not able to finish a question in a maximum of 90 seconds, just move on.

• GMAT Exam Time Management Tip 3: Create a Study Schedule Tailored to Your Needs

Students aspiring to secure a high GMAT exam score on the GMAT exam should create a smart study plan so that they stay motivated at the time of preparation and give their best in achieving their high target. You should organise your day and get organised yourself while studying. Follow the given time management strategies to prepare your plan:

• Determine your target score and make a plan for your preparation. You must know how you spend your time during preparation.

• Maintain consistency by allocating time in different shifts; continuously preparing for 45 hours may not let you stay focused. Find out the best timings for yourself and create a study plan that allows you to practice and prepare well. You should take breaks during preparation and establish deadlines.

• Do not plan too many things at a time. Remember that you need to work on your mistakes, analyse the strategies and gradually build up your speed. Make a to-do list and plan ahead.

• Select the section that can build your confidence and keep up the motivational spirit.

Also Read: Top 10 Expert Tips to Increase Your GMAT Quant Score in 2025

GMAT Time Management Tips and Tricks 2025:

Managing your time well is very important for getting a good score on the GMAT. As the exam is section-wise and the time is limited, you have to divide your time evenly among each section. it is often not because people lack knowledge, but because they do not manage their time well. This part is about proven tips to use your time well during the GMAT and steer clear of mistakes.

1. Practice with a Timer from Day One

Setting a timer in your practice sessions makes your brain adapt to handling pressure. It tells you how much time you spend on various questions.

Tip: Spend your first practice sessions solving problems that do not have a timer, so you become more accurate. After you feel ready, begin using a timer to train your brain to work faster without losing accuracy.

2. Take Full-Length Mock Tests Regularly

Doing mock tests makes it easier to learn how to control your time. They replicate the real exam environment and help you fine-tune your pacing strategy.

Action Plan: Practice with a full-length practice GMAT test at least weekly in the last 6–8 weeks. Review time management after every test and figure out which areas are forcing you to spend too much time.

Take Sample GMAT Tests Online

3. Don’t Get Stuck — Move On Strategically

Being caught up taking a long time on one question can be terrible. If you get stuck for more than 2 minutes, choose another question and come back to the first one later if you have the extra time.

Reason for this: In the Quant and Verbal sections, if you spend a lot of time on one question, it can decrease your score and make you feel nervous as the time runs low.

4. Build a Buffer by Solving Easier Questions Faster

Certain questions require more work or time to answer. Start with questions that are easier to solve quickly, so you have more time for the tougher ones.

It’s a good idea to use your extra time during the section to look at the hard or flagged questions you didn’t answer.

5. Familiarise Yourself with the GMAT Interface and On-Screen Timer

While you take the test, the timer will display the amount of time left for every part. If you know the interface beforehand, you won’t be confused at the last moment, and you can plan well.

Using the GMAT prep software can help you get familiar with how the GMAT looks in real life.

6. Avoid Perfectionism

Attempting to be 100% right in every answer is impossible in reality. Go for a consistent performance and don’t spend too much time thinking.

Mindset Tip: Give up on problems that are too challenging and work to achieve your best overall. A single mistake on a question won’t hurt your score; however, taking too much time can.

Also Read: GMAT Books 2025: Best Books for GMAT Preparation

GMAT Exam Timing Strategies:

GMAT exam preparation encourages you to develop your reading skills in a comprehensive manner. To do it in an excellent manner, you should follow the given strategies to grasp the GMAT exam syllabus.

GMAT Exam Reading Strategies for the Verbal Section

• This is one of the valuable skills you need to have to excel in the exam. Focus on the introduction, main idea, and conclusion and pen down the main gist of each paragraph.

• Make brief notes to highlight the main argument and the relationship between different ideas.

• Deep dive into the content and make yourself answerable for the questions that arise while reading the text in your mind. This kind of annotation will help you save time, and you will be able to have time to recheck the answers by verifying it from the passage once again. You must track your time

Shortcut Methods for the GMAT Exam Quantitative Section:

The shortcut method will help you save time, and you will be able to make this applicable even in your daily life. Some quick ways to have shortcut methods are:

• Learn multiplication tables up to 30, and know the square roots and cube roots up to 30.

• Practice doing a lot of mental math calculations in your mind.

• Familiarise yourself with question patterns and the shortcuts that apply to them.

• Understand and apply number properties, such as even-odd rules, prime numbers, and divisibility to simplify calculations.

• Memorise the geometrical theorems (for example Pythagorean theorem) and the properties of triangles.

Prioritising Questions in the GMAT Exam Integrated Reasoning:

• This is the most time-consuming section for some students, so finishing it first would be a good choice to be at peace for attempting the next sections. You must tackle the most difficult task first. You should split tasks into steps.

• Remember that you should not be giving more than 2 minutes to each question, and it's okay to skip a question if it's taking too long or is getting complicated to solve.

• Do not forget to organize the ideas and the best GMAT exam time management tip here is to use the laminated booklet and the marker given to you at the time of the exam.

Importance of GMAT Exam Practice:

The GMAT exam practice tests cover the entire GMAT exam syllabus and your GMAT exam preparation becomes worth it. Your dedication to GMAT exam preparation in a timed manner will get you the absolute desired results.

Importance of GMAT Exam Timed Practice Tests:

• Practicing for the GMAT exam in timed conditions will help you experience the real test and will prepare you to be attentive and focused for each question.

• Realization of the strengths and weaknesses of each section will open up clearly and you will be in a position to analyze the target score and the effort you need more in the weak areas.

• GMAT exam time management strategies and practice mock tests in timed conditions will also help you boost your confidence for the GMAT exam readiness and will make you gain more accuracy and speed.

Reviewing and Analyzing Your Performance

Make sure that after each GMAT exam practice test by following GMAT exam time management strategies, you should review all the wrong answers and the pattern of mistakes that you have made. This will help you realize the areas you need to exam more and customize your study plan accordingly.

Adjusting Your Strategy Based on Practice Test Results

After realizing the kind of mistakes you have made in the GMAT exam practice tests you should make sure to practice the weak section by following the GMAT exam tips and tricks and also adjust the timetable made for each GMAT exam practice session. After that you must schedule appropriately to work on your weaker areas.

GMAT Exam Test Day Strategies:

Follow the GMAT exam test strategies to cover the entire GMAT exam syllabus and be ready with GMAT exam preparation.

Preparing Mentally and Physically

It's the final day wherein you have to be all set to give your best and score high in the GMAT exam. Try to be the most comfortable and be confident about your readiness.

Develop a mindmap for yourself for the GMAT exam test day and decide which section you will prioritize first.

Not just the mental preparation, do not forget to dress comfortably, eat healthy, and stay fit. Also, keep yourself hydrated.

Using Breaks Effectively

Just plan your breaks in a way that you get time to stretch and relax after attempting some questions or a particular section.

GMAT Exam Time Management Tips and Tricks: Key Takeaways

Now let us revisit all the important information related to the GMAT exam preparation in this article.

Recap of Key Time Management Strategies

GMAT exam time management strategies, GMAT exam time management tips, and tricks followed by you have finally given you the confidence to reach up to the exam day. Do not forget that hard work done in the right manner will always pay well and now it's your chance to prove it right.

Practice under timed conditions and follow all the strategies given above to take the exam confidently.

Encouragement and Motivation for Test Day

Believe in yourself and stay calm, just think that this is the last step of the ladder you want to climb and the next journey begins from here. Enjoy the process and be very positive about yourself. Be confident and ace the examination.

Other Useful GMAT Exam Preparation Materials

Any GMAT exam aspirant is always in need of GMAT exam preparation books. They serve as a handy reference even after your initial preparation, allowing you to revisit concepts and strategies as you continue to practice. We have compiled all the necessary GMAT exam tips and tricks that can be helpful for the candidates in their GMAT journey. We suggest the candidates to go through them.

About the Author:
Pooja Aggarwal is an experienced trainer with over 15 years of expertise in helping students achieve their educational goals. With a degree in Education, she focuses on clear, patient, and personalized instruction. Her approach has successfully guided students from diverse backgrounds, preparing them for both Academic and General Training modules of various exams in a supportive and engaging environment.