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The #1 Reason You Run Out of Time (and the 30-Second Fix)

Richard Clarke

An exam is not just a knowledge test. It's a 3-hour resource-allocation game under pressure.
Goal = maximum marks in minimum time
Everything else (perfect handwriting, re-reading the question 5 times) is noise.

HOW DO I GET MY TIMING RIGHT IN THE EXAM?

  1. The simplest system wins.

  2. Don't invent fancy techniques.

  3. Just do this one rule every single mock and real exam:
    Spend marks in direct proportion to their value — no exceptions.

Quick example (works for any paper):
So:
Total time = 180 minutes
Total marks = 100 → 1.8 minutes per mark allowed
10-mark question → max 18 minutes
20-mark requirement → max 36 minutes

Stuck after 50% of allowed time? Write your best point, move on. Come back if time left.
That's it. No overthinking. No "I'll just finish this section perfectly."

The difference between fail and pass is sometimes just better time discipline. Don't let that be you.

You're closer than you think. Keep decisions simple, keep moving forward.
You got this!

P.S. We remain incredibly proud that students who fully used the ULTRA level passed! This is huge for us, and potentially you