In the first part of this series, we discussed time positions (positive, negative, and neutral) and addressed our first three major considerations for timing:
(1) understanding the scoring (and what implications that has for timing)
(2) per-question timing and tracking your work
(3) reflecting on your results so that you can improve
If you haven’t already read the first part, do so now before you continue with this article. Today, we’re going to talk about our final three major timing strategies.
(4) Develop your “1 minute” sense
While keeping a single-problem time log will help you become aware of your pacing on all question types, you can’t check the clock after every problem on the real test. You’ll drive yourself crazy before the test is over! What to do, then?
What we’re going to do is develop a “time sense” so that we can make appropriate, timely decisions as we move through the test. Let’s talk first about why and how we use this time sense; then, we’ll talk about what we need to do in order to develop it.
Note: Most people find it takes three to four weeks of regular practice with this in order to develop a time sense that is reasonably accurate most of the time.
WHY are we developing a 1-minute sense?
First, just a note: these two articles are long and have a lot of detail. You aren’t going to be able to remember everything and start incorporating it right away; instead, you’re going to keep coming back to this article as you get further into your studies. Bookmark this right now so that you can find it again easily in future.
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I haven’t picked too ambitious a title there, have I? Let’s see how we do!
