Handling time wisely is very important when solving questions for competitive exams. They require you to be accurate and also to work fast. Because there are many tough questions and not much time, candidates can still run out of time, even if they have the answers. A well-planned time schedule allows you to do many questions without sacrificing your accuracy.
What is the best way to organize my time for each type of question?
There are different levels of difficulty and time needed for the different topics in quantitative aptitude for competitive examinations. Here is a clear way to divide your time for better results:
|
Topic |
Suggested Time (per question) |
Tip |
|
Simplification |
30-40 seconds |
Practice mental math |
|
Number Series |
40-50 seconds |
Identify patterns quickly |
|
Data Interpretation |
2-3 minutes (for full set) |
Read tables/graphs carefully |
|
Time & Work / Time & Distance |
1-1.5 minutes |
Use shortcut formulas |
|
Profit & Loss / Percentage |
1 minute |
Convert values into fractions |
|
Geometry / Mensuration |
1.5 minutes |
Draw rough figures |
What are the best strategies to manage time during the exam?
-
Scan the paper first: Spend 1-2 minutes to identify easy questions.
-
Attempt easy questions first: Gain confidence and save time.
-
Use shortcut techniques: Learn Vedic math tricks and formulas.
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Avoid getting stuck: If a question takes too long, mark and skip it.
-
Keep buffer time: Save last 5–10 minutes to review or attempt skipped questions.
How can I practice time management before the actual exam?
You should use a timer every time you practice. Go for a quantitative aptitude book that has timed mock tests and papers from the previous years. Start the stopwatch and go through the questions as if this is the real exam. Review how much time you spend on every section and make changes to your strategy.
How can you improve your speed and accuracy at the same time?
It’s not enough to go fast if you are not accurate. Here’s a way to boost both your writing and speaking:
• Practice solving 20–30 questions every day.
• Full-length mock tests: Do two mock tests every week.
• After every test, check which parts of the problem took you the longest.
• Make a different notebook for formulas and look over them every day.
Read More: Quantitative Aptitude Tricks to Solve Questions in Under 30 Seconds
What are common time-wasting mistakes to avoid?
|
Mistake |
Impact |
Solution |
|
Spending too long on one question |
Wastes time for other easy questions |
Set a timer for each question |
|
Over-calculating |
Reduces speed |
Use estimation techniques |
|
Not reading questions properly |
Leads to errors |
Read twice before answering |
|
Guessing blindly |
Reduces accuracy |
Attempt only if you’ve eliminated options |
How does choosing the right book affect time management?
The best book for quantitative aptitude offers well-structured information and offers plenty of high-quality practice sets. A strong quantitative aptitude book has previous year papers, useful shortcuts and mock tests which are all important for improving time management.
Final Thoughts
Your success in competitive exams depends a lot on how well you use your time in the quantitative section. Using time-saving tips, practicing often and studying from a reputable quantitative aptitude book can help you perform much better in the exam. Try to practice from the beginning, keep practicing and keep an eye on the time to improve at both speed and accuracy.
