I am trying out some RC questions from the old paper based tests. The timing(23Q,30min) seems aggressive compared to the recommendations for CAT. Should I be stepping up my RC speed based on this, or can I stick with ~1 3/4 min per question. Obviously, more speed doesn't hurt, but is it really required is my question.

Thanks.

The old paper and pencil based tests are not great for study because this is simply not how the test is going to be presented to you anymore. On the paper-based test, the timing seems aggressive because you see a range of problems from very easy to fairly hard. On the CAT, you won't see a wide range of difficulty levels - your questions will mostly be clustered around your own ability level, which means you'll be "pushed" on most of the questions.

eg, if you are a 75th percentile tester, on the paper test, you're going to think at least half of the questions are very easy. On the CAT, you might find only a few questions very easy.

So, first, don't take the paper tests in entire sections or tests - that will mess up your timing for the CAT. You can use them as individual problems if you want - but, honestly, if you don't yet have the score you want, then you haven't adequately studied the 1400 questions found in the three current OG books. Doing a bunch of new problems provides only marginal improvement - the real improvement comes from analyzing problems in depth.

Thanks for the response. As you pointed out, my efforts have definitely shifted towards review and understanding, more than problem solving, although it was not so when I started out. It is helping me face the problems more confidently. Your point about the timing on paper based RC makes sense. I will use the paper-based tests only as a question bank.

good luck!