5 Time Management Strategies for Exam Day Success

The Time Trap

Most certification exams give you roughly 1-2 minutes per question. That sounds like enough — until you encounter a complex scenario-based question that requires careful analysis. Without a time management strategy, it is easy to run out of time on the final questions.

Strategy 1: The Two-Pass Approach

On your first pass, answer every question you can confidently answer within the allocated time. Flag difficult questions and move on. On your second pass, return to flagged questions with your remaining time.

Strategy 2: The 80/20 Rule

Spend 80% of your time on your first pass and reserve 20% for review. For a 4-hour exam, this means 3 hours and 12 minutes for the first pass, and 48 minutes for review.

Strategy 3: Set Checkpoints

Divide the exam into quarters. At each quarter checkpoint, verify you are on pace. If you are behind, increase your pace by making quicker decisions on straightforward questions.

Strategy 4: Do Not Change Answers (Usually)

Research consistently shows that your first instinct is usually correct. Only change an answer if you are very confident the alternative is correct — not because you are second-guessing yourself.

Strategy 5: Practice Under Pressure

Time management is a skill that must be practiced. Take full-length timed mock exams regularly during your preparation. This builds the mental stamina and time awareness you need on exam day.