---
title: "Ignacio’s GMAT Boost: Mastering Time and Strategy"
description: Miguel’s GMAT preparation journey is an inspiring example of perseverance and improvement.
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# Ignacio’s GMAT Boost: Mastering Time and Strategy

 Published by [Merchant MBA](https://merchantmba.com/blog/author/merchant-mba) on 9/17/24 10:50 AM

![](https://merchantmba.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/a%20photograph%20of%20a%20group%20of%20young%20professionals%20wearing%20togas%20celebrating%20graduation%20from%20MBA.jpeg?width=1024&height=450&name=a%20photograph%20of%20a%20group%20of%20young%20professionals%20wearing%20togas%20celebrating%20graduation%20from%20MBA.jpeg)

# **Background: Starting from Scratch**

Ignacio’s GMAT journey began with a challenging start. In his **first mock**, he scored **440**, with Verbal at **21** and Quant at **29**. Time management was inconsistent, and his **Data Sufficiency** questions in Quant proved especially difficult. At the same time, **silly mistakes** plagued his performance, particularly in Verbal. His GMAT preparation was off to a rough start, and Ignacio knew he needed a change in strategy. He focused on improving his test-taking techniques, balancing his time better, and refining his overall approach to tackle the areas holding him back. 📉

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfSiNZujQWzrTE09VlS6j6PrmFPutArV1WrdCliSRSTYPc-hzPkT76hcsgyJ3O04-R_CLDJntjK5W1G1x6RAnviOqlqYH_NIv1gs3gFjVPZ516bu-m-7HofCJvfRR9o1jkf0TMXcXjWiB_27FIFAD-_oAq2?key=4YOO8IZT3cJisTS71ymYVQ)

---

#### **The Turning Point: A Major Leap in Quant**

After some weeks of focused practice, Ignacio made significant progress in his **second mock**, where his score soared to **590**. This **150-point leap** showed vast improvements in Quant, where his score jumped to **44**. He reduced his **silly mistakes** and started to feel more confident with **Problem Solving** questions. By Mock 3, Ignacio stabilized his performance but still struggled with **Verbal consistency**.

In subsequent mocks, Ignacio’s **Quant scores** remained stable, hovering in the **low 40s**, while his Verbal fluctuated, peaking at **33** in Mock 6. He began refining his skills in **Sentence Correction** and **Critical Reasoning**, focusing on reducing **tough question mistakes** and improving time management. 🔑

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdosg6rPzyiNo4BhpoORAXP9-TlJnyMYGPrF3gUvItX1Ns37V7M83NFnFCRmQZtP6En3x2aoJHhKo6TQCXf4rUPkGy_957J96Zgjp_E-2FfrrWqz0sQUkFFy8ypL741QTG8pwR3qt1DK5wcmSUii2_2SZI?key=4YOO8IZT3cJisTS71ymYVQ)

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdwSR2l6TZME5sEz7yUD66GTH3LGrHqam7Aj4C_AL6LUlSWiaIw4XLvh-o8hlsyfq8bYbEeu0U4b3dRvvH82XenQK359Gv9yrltRDuUKzl276GLRGRPuSPP0Qjr1XaLFZpK8DJYs_CqVV8dRSdfe1InR2mx?key=4YOO8IZT3cJisTS71ymYVQ)

 

---

#### **Final Outcome: A Solid Finish and GMAT Focus Success**

As Ignacio worked through the final mocks, he demonstrated solid gains in **Problem Solving** in Quant but noticed more time being spent on **Data Sufficiency**. His consistent approach led him to a peak score of **610** in Mock 6. By Mock 7, he scored **580**, maintaining a steady performance overall. 🎯

*In the end, despite preparing for the GMAT 10th edition, Ignacio took the **new GMAT Focus Edition** and achieved an impressive score of **645**. This result is a true reflection of his hard work, adaptability, and ability to tackle both **Quant** and **Verbal** challenges.*

---

### **Time Management: The Key to Balanced Success**

Throughout Ignacio’s mocks, **time management** played a critical role in his progress. In the **Quant section**, he managed to reduce his time spent on **Problem Solving**, going from **2.29 minutes per question** in Mock 1 to **1.99 minutes** by Mock 7. However, his time for **Data Sufficiency** questions fluctuated, with some increase in later mocks, reflecting the greater complexity of those questions.

In the **Verbal section**, Ignacio’s time management showed even more variability. His time for **Critical Reasoning** improved steadily, but **Reading Comprehension** questions took longer as the mocks progressed, peaking at **2.45 minutes per question** in Mock 6. Despite this, he showed a remarkable ability to adapt and optimize his time, especially in **Sentence Correction**, where he achieved his lowest time per question in Mock 6 at **1.23 minutes**.

The balance between maintaining accuracy and optimizing time proved essential to Ignacio’s improvement, highlighting the importance of pacing when tackling different types of questions. ⏳

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXc7OjIezHhyjmjUNwDzqy3qyWLzaGNqsyBUct7-Jh3VOFx5pOIWSlnuXLX3RPMzfjx1b_QXEOGrnXutJ0vSzmM0iHPKFSAeb8rEU1T2H-rmJloiW6vRIm6ne4u4wZ_D3PGS7TauZTmuqbzImU58LqtgUZM?key=4YOO8IZT3cJisTS71ymYVQ)

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXda_c23UztBj_tImmBubNSgEcfndcaVUEm4CPQgberiDrjmhSy7Tc4xEs1Gi8-nGEgwhnvgI-pta6eGYx7LjoxEiKDK22eZ4u7VsAvT336LcS3pIiNkAbGdc_7yaN8FVoLhCVmfiPUSsc3k86eXVEQWsJsq?key=4YOO8IZT3cJisTS71ymYVQ)

---

### **Conclusions: Ignacio's Key Takeaways for Future GMAT Test-Takers**

- **Efficiency is key**: Ignacio’s steady improvement in Quant came from becoming quicker and more confident in Problem Solving, though **Data Sufficiency** remained an area to focus on.
- **Time management matters**: Ignacio’s progress in **Verbal** showed that optimizing time, especially in **Reading Comprehension**, played a crucial role in reaching his peak scores.
- **Consistency counts**: Maintaining consistent performance in both sections led to significant overall improvements.

👉 **Ready to take your GMAT preparation to the next level?** Learn from Ignacio's experience and start your journey to GMAT success today! **Book a free strategy session** with our GMAT experts now! 💪

 Contact Us!

 

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