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 Not a lot of people like to hear this but the truth is, educated guessing can be a lifesaver when it comes to the GMAT. As I’m sure all of you reading this will have experienced at one point in your revision, you become engrossed and fixated on a question that you end up wasting seven minutes of your time just to get the answer wrong. I’ve done it, everyone’s done it at some point and it’s nothing to be ashamed of! During revision you have the freedom of time; in the GMAT exam you are not afforded this luxury.

Throughout your exam, time management is of the utmost importance! I can’t stress enough how vital it is to take no more than two minutes per question to avoid a hefty penalty at the end for not finishing the section on time. When you hit the two minute mark on a question and still haven’t figured it out, it’s time to admit defeat and make an educated guess. What I mean by an educated guess is, quickly eliminate one or two incorrect answers, then select an answer choice. I realize it seems like a waste to guess and move on from a question you’ve spent time figuring out, however the harsh reality is you cannot afford to waste time on a question that could be a lost cause. Your time is far more valuable spent on the next question at hand.

In conclusion, to ace the GMAT you may need to concede to some educated guessing. A rule of thumb is no more than two minutes on a question, guess and move on. If luck is on your side, the results may surprise you.