The first rule is simple: do not spend too long proving that you can solve one difficult question.

Before the assessment, practise under realistic time limits. Learn approximately how long you can afford to spend on different sections or question types.

During the test, monitor your progress rather than constantly watching the clock.

If a question is consuming too much time, mark it and move forward when the assessment format allows. You can return to it later.

Multiple-choice assessments also benefit from elimination strategies. If you can quickly remove impossible options, you reduce the amount of calculation or reasoning required.

For writing tasks, reserve time for:

Planning → Writing → Reviewing.

Do not use every available minute writing and leave no time to proofread.

After each timed practice session, analyse not only incorrect answers but also slow correct answers. A question answered correctly after several minutes may reveal an efficiency problem.

A useful training progression is:

Untimed accuracy → Light timing → Full timing → Exam simulation.

Do not introduce severe time pressure before the underlying skills are secure.

Good time management is not about rushing. It is about making deliberate decisions about where your limited time produces the greatest return in marks.