Examopotamia1. Find out the format
How long is the exam, how many questions are there, and what types? Past papers and your teacher are the best sources. Divide the time by the number of questions to get your minutes per question, and keep five to ten minutes at the end for checking.
2. Practise under the real time limit
Most students revise without a clock and then meet one for the first time in the exam hall. Instead, take practice tests with the same limit as the real exam. The exam time calculator estimates a fair limit if you don't know it, and the practice test maker enforces it so you can't quietly take longer.
3. Learn your pace
After each timed practice test, look at where the time went. Did you finish early, or did you run out? Which question types slowed you down? Practise those types until they are quicker.
4. Have a plan for hard questions
Decide before the exam how long you will spend on one question before moving on, for example twice your average time. Mark it, skip it and come back. A hard question is worth the same as an easy one, so collect the easy marks first.
5. Practise starting quickly
Short, timed quizzes help you start answering straight away instead of staring at the first question. A live quiz with friends, where every question has a countdown, is a fun way to practise thinking under time pressure.
6. Look after the basics
- Sleep properly the night before; tired brains are slower.
- Arrive early so you don't start stressed.
- Bring a watch if clocks may not be visible, and check the time at planned points, such as halfway.