Timing Strategy for 60 Questions in 16 Minutes

Table of Contents
1. What is Timing Strategy for the Verbal Skills Section?
2. Step-by-Step Method for Managing Your Time
3. Worked Examples
4. Top Tips for the Exam
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
6. Practice Questions
7. Answer Key with Explanations
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What is Timing Strategy for the Verbal Skills Section?

The Verbal Skills section is one of the most time-pressured parts of the exam. You have exactly 16 minutes to answer 60 questions. That means you have approximately 16 seconds per question! This might sound scary at first, but with the right timing strategy, you can work through all the questions efficiently and accurately.

The Verbal Skills section includes different types of questions:

• Analogies: Finding relationships between word pairs
• Synonyms: Identifying words with similar meanings
• Logic: Determining which statement is true based on given facts
• Verbal Classification: Finding the word that doesn't belong in a group
• Antonyms: Identifying words with opposite meanings

A solid timing strategy helps you:

• Avoid spending too much time on difficult questions
• Make sure you see every question on the test
• Reduce test anxiety by having a clear plan
• Maximize your score by answering the questions you know first

Step-by-Step Method for Managing Your Time

Before the Test Begins

1. Understand the breakdown: Know that 60 questions in 16 minutes means roughly 16 seconds per question.
2. Set mental checkpoints: Plan to check the clock at question 15 (4 minutes), question 30 (8 minutes), and question 45 (12 minutes).
3. Have a guessing strategy: Decide in advance what letter you'll choose if you must guess quickly at the end.

During the Test

1. Read the question type first: Quickly identify whether it's an analogy, synonym, logic question, etc.
2. Apply the 20-second rule: If you don't see the answer within 20 seconds, circle the question number and make your best guess.
3. Move forward always: Never spend more than 30 seconds on any single question during your first pass.
4. Mark strategically: Put a small checkmark next to questions where you've narrowed it down to two choices.
5. Use your checkpoints: At questions 15, 30, and 45, glance at the clock to make sure you're on pace.
6. Keep your answer sheet neat: Bubble carefully but quickly-an error in bubbling wastes precious time.

The Final 2 Minutes

1. Finish all questions: If you haven't answered everything, quickly bubble in answers for all remaining questions.
2. Review marked questions: If time permits, go back to questions you marked as uncertain.
3. Never leave blanks: There's no penalty for wrong answers, so make sure every bubble is filled.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Analogy Question

Question: Bird is to nest as bee is to

1. honey
2. hive
3. flower
4. sting

Correct Answer: B

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. Identify the question type: This is an analogy question asking about relationships.
2. Find the relationship: A bird lives in a nest-this is a "home" relationship.
3. Apply the same relationship: Where does a bee live? A bee lives in a hive.
4. Eliminate wrong answers: Honey is what bees make, a flower is where they get nectar, and sting is what they do-none of these are homes.
5. Confirm your answer: Hive is the home of a bee, just as nest is the home of a bird.
6. Time check: This should take about 15 seconds.

Example 2: Verbal Classification Question

Question: Which word does not belong with the others?

1. triangle
2. square
3. circle
4. pyramid

Correct Answer: D

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. Identify the question type: This is a verbal classification question-find the odd one out.
2. Look for the common thread: Triangle, square, and circle are all two-dimensional (flat) shapes.
3. Find the exception: A pyramid is three-dimensional-it has height, width, and depth.
4. Verify the pattern: All options except pyramid are 2D shapes that you can draw on paper as flat figures.
5. Select confidently: Pyramid doesn't belong because it's the only 3D shape.
6. Time check: This should take about 12-15 seconds.

Example 3: Logic Question

Question: Alex is taller than Ben. Ben is taller than Carlos. Carlos is shorter than David. If these statements are true, which of the following must also be true?

1. David is the tallest.
2. Alex is taller than Carlos.
3. David is taller than Ben.
4. Ben is the shortest.

Correct Answer: B

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. Identify the question type: This is a logic question requiring you to draw conclusions from given facts.
2. Set up the relationships: From the statements: Alex > Ben > Carlos, and Carlos < David.
3. Test each answer: Start with what you know for certain.
4. Evaluate option A: We don't know if David is tallest-he might be between Ben and Alex.
5. Evaluate option B: Since Alex > Ben and Ben > Carlos, then Alex > Carlos. This MUST be true.
6. Evaluate option C: David > Carlos, but we don't know how David compares to Ben.
7. Evaluate option D: Carlos is the shortest based on what we know, not Ben.
8. Time check: Logic questions may take 20-25 seconds, which is acceptable for this question type.

Top Tips for the Exam

1. Practice with a timer: Before test day, complete practice sections with a strict 16-minute limit. This trains your brain to work at the right pace and reduces anxiety on test day.
2. Answer easy questions first: Not all questions are equally difficult. If you see a question that looks hard, skip it and come back later. Get all the "quick points" first.
3. Trust your first instinct: Research shows that your first answer choice is usually correct, especially under time pressure. Don't second-guess yourself unless you spot a clear error.
4. Use the process of elimination: Even if you don't know the right answer immediately, you can often eliminate one or two obviously wrong choices. This increases your chances of guessing correctly.
5. Keep your pencil moving: Don't freeze on any question. If you're stuck after 20 seconds, make your best guess, circle the question number if you have time, and keep going.
6. Watch the clock strategically: Check your time at questions 15, 30, and 45. If you're behind, speed up slightly. If you're ahead, you can afford to spend a few extra seconds on harder questions.
7. Practice different question types: Each verbal skills question type requires a slightly different approach. The more familiar you are with each type, the faster you'll work on test day.
8. Fill in every bubble: There's no penalty for wrong answers, so never leave a question blank. If you run out of time, quickly fill in the same letter for all remaining questions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Spending too long on one question: The biggest timing mistake is getting stuck on a single difficult question. Remember, each question is worth the same, so spending 2 minutes on one question means you miss three or four others.
• Not practicing with real timing: Many students practice without timing themselves and then panic on test day. Always practice verbal skills sections with a 16-minute timer.
• Reading too slowly: You need to read quickly but accurately. Avoid re-reading questions multiple times unless absolutely necessary.
• Leaving questions blank: Some students leave questions blank intending to return, but then run out of time. Make your best guess immediately, then mark it for review if time permits.
• Changing too many answers: While reviewing, resist the urge to change answers unless you're certain of an error. Your first instinct is usually correct.
• Forgetting to check the clock: Without regular time checks, you might spend too long on the first 20 questions and rush through the last 40. Use your checkpoints!
• Panicking when time is short: If you realize you're running out of time, stay calm. Quickly bubble in answers for remaining questions, then go back to improve them if possible.
• Bubbling errors: In the rush, some students accidentally skip a line on their answer sheet. Be careful to match each question number with the correct bubble.
• Not having a guessing letter: If you must guess randomly at the end, having a predetermined letter (like "B" or "C") is faster than choosing randomly for each question.

Practice Questions

Question 1

Happy is to joyful as angry is to

1. calm
2. furious
3. peaceful
4. sad

Question 2

Which word does not belong with the others?

1. apple
2. carrot
3. banana
4. orange

Question 3

Generous most nearly means

1. selfish
2. giving
3. angry
4. careful

Question 4

Sarah finished the race before Tom. Tom finished before Lisa but after Mike. Who finished last?

1. Sarah
2. Tom
3. Mike
4. Lisa

Question 5

Timid is the opposite of

1. shy
2. quiet
3. bold
4. nervous

Question 6

Which word does not belong with the others?

1. river
2. ocean
3. mountain
4. lake

Question 7

Book is to library as car is to

1. wheel
2. garage
3. road
4. driver

Question 8

All dogs are animals. Some animals are pets. Based on these statements, which must be true?

1. All pets are dogs.
2. All dogs are pets.
3. Some dogs are animals.
4. Some animals are not dogs.

Answer Key with Explanations

Question 1: B

Explanation: Happy and joyful are synonyms (similar meanings). Angry and furious are also synonyms-both describe being very mad. The other options are either opposites or unrelated emotions.

Question 2: B

Explanation: Apple, banana, and orange are all fruits. Carrot is a vegetable, making it the word that doesn't belong with the others.

Question 3: B

Explanation: Generous means willing to give and share. Giving is the closest synonym. Selfish is the opposite, while angry and careful are unrelated.

Question 4: D

Explanation: Order: Sarah, Mike, Tom, Lisa. Sarah finished before Tom, Tom finished after Mike (so Mike is before Tom), and Tom finished before Lisa. Therefore, Lisa finished last.

Question 5: C

Explanation: Timid means shy or lacking confidence. Bold means confident and daring, which is the opposite. Shy and quiet are similar to timid, while nervous is related but not opposite.

Question 6: C

Explanation: River, ocean, and lake are all bodies of water. Mountain is a landform, not a body of water, so it doesn't belong.

Question 7: B

Explanation: A book is stored in a library. A car is stored in a garage. This is a "storage location" relationship. Road is where a car travels, not where it's stored.

Question 8: C

Explanation: If all dogs are animals, then it's definitely true that some dogs are animals (in fact, ALL dogs are animals). Option A reverses the logic incorrectly. Option B isn't necessarily true-not all dogs are pets. Option D is likely true but isn't proven by the given statements.