A wireless communication device is disclosed that is capable of performing efficient measurements of secondary radio access technologies (RATs). The device includes multiple receiver chains. While operating in a first RAT, the device receives a measurement gap in order to perform measurements. Even though the measurement gap may be too small to adequately measure the other RAT, the device controls one of the receiver chains to measure the other RAT during a time period that overlaps with the measurement gap. In addition, when preparing for an inter-RAT handoff, the device controls one of the receiver chains to perform measurements regardless of whether a measurement gap has been received. In this manner, measurements of alternative RATs are efficiently performed, and handoff latency is significantly reduced.