Back

Time Management Techniques for O Level & IGCSE Maths Exam Papers

Views 0

Understanding What “Time Management” Actually Means in Maths Exams

  • Managing time means managing:

    • reading time

    • solving time

    • checking time

    • decision-making under pressure

  • Not every question deserves equal time

  • Strong students allocate time based on mark weight

  • Must avoid “time traps”

  • Must identify “fast marks” quickly

  • Must skip efficiently

  • Must return strategically

  • Must check only at the correct stage of paper

Know the Timing Structure Before the Exam Starts

Paper 1 (Non-Calculator)

  • Duration: 1 hour

  • Target:

    • 45 minutes solving

    • 10 minutes second-pass solving

    • 5 minutes final checking

Paper 2/4 (Calculator)

  • Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

  • Target:

    • 70 minutes solving

    • 15 minutes second-pass

    • 5 minutes checking

Mental expectation setting

  • Enter exam knowing exact pacing

  • Avoid learning pacing during exam itself

Fast Question Identification: The First 60 Seconds Rule

  • First scan questions quickly

  • Identify

    • immediate solves

    • medium-difficulty questions

    • long/complex questions

  • Mark easy ones to attempt first

  • Avoid reading longest question deeply at the start

  • Prevent early anxiety

  • Build momentum with initial fast marks

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level & IGCSE Mathematics Free Material

The A Strategy: Solve the Paper in Three Rounds*

Round 1: Fast Marks Sweep (30–40% of paper)

  • Attempt only

    • number manipulation

    • simple algebra

    • short geometry

    • direct formula questions

    • easy graphs

    • basic probability

  • Do not overthink

  • Aim for speed + accuracy

  • Skip anything taking more than 20–30 seconds to process

Round 2: Medium Questions (40–50% of paper)

  • Solve:

    • factorisation

    • equations

    • transformations

    • mensuration mid-level

    • moderate trigonometry

    • statistics

  • Spend reasonable time

  • Clear working ensures method marks

Round 3: Longest and Hardest Questions (10–20% of paper)

  • Combined shapes

  • multi-step vectors

  • advanced trigonometry

  • lengthy word problems

  • Combine diagrams + logic

  • Use all remaining time for these

Avoid Getting Stuck: The 2-Minute Rule

  • If stuck after 2 minutes:

    • underline question

    • leave space

    • move on

  • Returning later massively reduces stress

  • Hard questions become easier when brain resets

How to Allocate Time Based on Question Type

  • 1–2 mark questions

    • spend 30–40 seconds

  • 3–4 mark questions

    • spend 2 minutes

  • 5–6 mark questions

    • spend 3–4 minutes

  • 7–10 mark long-structured questions

    • spend 5–7 minutes

Avoid using equal time across marks.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level & IGCSE Mathematics Free Material

How to Read Questions Faster and More Effectively

  • Identify key mathematical action words instantly

    • calculate

    • simplify

    • show that

    • prove

    • find the value of

    • express in the form

  • Circle numbers and variables immediately

  • Underline final requirement

  • Avoid reading long statements word-by-word; scan for structure

  • Extract data into:

    • table

    • diagram

    • equation

Using Working Space Efficiently to Save Time

  • Write expressions in clean vertical form

  • Don’t redraw diagrams unless necessary

  • Label variables clearly

  • Keep space between lines

  • Neat working → fast checking

  • Clear layout reduces re-reading time

Avoiding Calculator Overuse and Underuse

Don’t waste time typing unnecessary expressions

  • Simplify by cancelling before typing

  • Use prior Ans value

  • Use fraction button for speed and accuracy

Don’t avoid calculator where it helps

  • Use calculator for long multiplication/division

  • Use calculator for complex trig expressions

  • Use calculator for cumulative sums

Efficient calculator usage = major time saver.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level & IGCSE Mathematics Free Material

Time Management for Non-Calculator Paper

  • Memorise key squares and cubes

  • Memorise common surds

  • Memorise fractions ↔ decimal conversions

  • Use factorisation instead of long division

  • Estimate values to check quickly

  • Keep arithmetic neat

  • Avoid writing unnecessary steps

  • Build speed in mental calculations

  • Identify which parts must be done by hand efficiently

Time Management for Calculator Paper

  • Type entire expression at once

  • Use replay key to correct small errors

  • Use Ans key for sequential parts

  • Avoid early rounding

  • Use memory store for repeated values

  • Convert units before typing expression

How to Use the Mark Distribution to Control Time

  • Harder questions often have higher marks

  • But not always worth starting early

  • Easy marks spread across paper: collect them first

  • Always aim for 80% accuracy before touching the last difficult question

Eliminating “Black Hole Questions”

  • A black hole question = time sink

  • Long geometry/mensuration composite

  • Multi-step vector problem

  • Hard quadratic manipulation

  • Complex trigonometry

  • Skip immediately

  • Return later with fresh mind

  • Do not let single question ruin rest of paper

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level & IGCSE Mathematics Free Material

How to Maintain Pace Throughout the Paper

  • Stay aware of time without checking constantly

  • After one-third of paper time → should be halfway through marks

  • After two-thirds time → should be at 80% marks

  • Keep stable rhythm

  • Avoid rushing early or slowing later

Checking Strategy: How to Check Fast and Effectively

Check only at the end

  • Checking mid-paper wastes time

  • Complete entire paper first

Check for:

  • sign errors

  • unit errors

  • copying errors

  • rounding errors

  • missing labels

  • diagram accuracy

  • missing steps

Recheck calculator questions

  • re-enter expression

  • compare with working

How to Reduce Careless Mistakes (Major Time Saver)

  • Rewrite values clearly

  • Box important numbers

  • Use ruler for graphs and diagrams

  • Use direction arrows for vectors

  • Mark final answer clearly

  • Double-check inequality direction

  • Rewrite formula before substitution

Stress Management to Maintain Speed Under Pressure

  • Keep breathing stable

  • Do not panic if stuck early

  • Skip intelligently

  • Maintain rhythm

  • Stay logical

  • Use diagrams to reduce cognitive load

  • Think in steps, not entire solution

How Top Students Use Time During the Last 10 Minutes

  • Check rounding

  • Check units

  • Check diagrams

  • Check transformations

  • Check probability sums = 1

  • Check whether answers fit logical range

  • Check that skipped questions now completed

  • Confirm no page left unanswered

Time-Saving Tricks for Specific Topics

Algebra

  • factorise before expanding

  • avoid writing unnecessary working

Trigonometry

  • identify triangle type first

  • use calculator only after entire expression typed

Mensuration

  • write formula → substitute → evaluate quickly

  • avoid redrawing shape unless needed

Statistics

  • cumulative frequency → draw smooth curve

  • IQR reading quickly with clear rulers

Graphs

  • pre-label important coordinates

  • connect lines confidently

  • avoid over-sketching

How to Practise Time Management Before Exam Day

  • Attempt past papers under timed limits

  • Use stopwatch or phone timer

  • Record time consumed per question type

  • Identify slow topics

  • Improve speed using repetitive practice

  • Build efficient layout habits

  • Practise typing calculator expressions quickly

A Time Management Habits*

  • never get stuck early

  • always skip strategically

  • always return with structured approach

  • never round early

  • always highlight final answer

  • always check for lost easy marks

  • maintain calm rhythm

  • follow three-round solving approach

  • use calculator efficiently

  • draw diagrams when needed

  • manage brain energy across the exam

  • end paper with fully checked answers

Hunain Zia

Hunain Zia has previously achieved considerable success in the high-school educational stream, gaining a massive 154 Total A Grades and 7 Major Distinctions, a process in which he broke/ set 11 different world records, including the most A grades ever achieved, most subjects ever appeared in, most distinctions, gaining distinctions across two separate boards (Pearson Edexcel and CAIE) within the same year/ ever, and even 19 hours of constant examination. All records stand intact today. Hunain pursued his Honors Accounting Degree from the prestigious Bentley University, and then completed an LLB (in Honors) from University of London. Currently, he manages multiple social and commercial projects, has founded digital streams and works tirelessly in the education sector.

Educate A Change focuses on truly bringing change in the educational sector worldwide. All our courses are designed to ensure success, and provide complete preparation without requiring any other external material. Therefore, it takes away the expense of academies, books, past paper compilations and other miscellaneous items. Instead, by just the courses we offer, the student can prepare fully for the best grades in their CAIEs, Edexcel and other high-school exams. The earnings from our course-sales are invested in social projects and growing the free educational activities of Educate A Change.