Rehearse the clock, not just the content
Plenty of students know the material and still run short of time. Timing a past paper from start to finish shows you where the minutes disappear, long before they count. Choose the length of your paper, press start, and work without stopping to look things up.
A simple way to budget your time
Divide the minutes by the marks. A 120-minute paper worth 100 marks gives you about 1.2 minutes per mark. Many people also hold back some time at the end to review; around a tenth of the paper is a common suggestion. That trims the working figure a little. Then give each section its own slot and jot the finish time beside it.
| Paper length | Total marks | Minutes per mark with a tenth held back |
|---|---|---|
| 45 minutes | 30 | about 1.35 |
| 60 minutes | 60 | about 0.9 |
| 90 minutes | 75 | about 1.1 |
| 180 minutes | 120 | about 1.35 |
These are only worked examples. Your paper's actual weighting and your own strengths matter more than any formula.
Pacing once you are in the room
- Skim the whole paper first so there are no surprises hiding at the end.
- Work in an order that suits you, unless the instructions say otherwise. Many people start with questions they can answer confidently.
- Note your quarter-way and halfway times and compare them with the clock.
- If you are stuck, mark the question, move on and return. A two-mark question should not eat twenty minutes.
- Stop adding new work with enough time left to reread, check calculations and make sure every question has an answer.
What about reading time?
Some exams include a reading period before writing begins. Whether yours does, how long it lasts and whether you may make notes during it depends on the exam and its instructions, so check your paper. To rehearse it, run a short countdown such as the 10-minute timer first, then start the main one.
In the real exam
This page is meant for practice at home or in a study room. In the exam hall, the official clock and the invigilator's announcements are what count, and phones and smart devices are often not allowed at all. Read your exam rules to see what you may bring.
For long revision sessions, the study timer and Pomodoro timer help you break the day into focused blocks. Other lengths are a click away: 45 minutes, 1 hour, 90 minutes and 2 hours.
Questions
How do I manage my time in an exam?
Divide the minutes by the marks to get a rough time per mark, set aside some time at the end for review, and note target times for each section. If you get stuck, move on and return later so one hard question does not use up the minutes you need elsewhere.
How much time should I leave to check my answers?
There is no fixed rule, but many students keep about a tenth of the exam, or 10 to 15 minutes in a long paper, for review. Use it to reread questions, check calculations and fill in any blanks.
Is there reading time in exams?
Some exams include a reading period before writing starts, but it is not universal. Whether you get one, how long it lasts and whether you can write during it depends on the exam and its instructions, so check your paper or ask your teacher.
Can I use this timer in the exam room?
It is designed for practice papers. Real exams usually have their own official clock, and many exam rooms restrict phones and other devices. Check the exam rules and follow the invigilator's instructions.