How to use the Exam Time per Question Planner
- 1. Enter the exam timeType the duration, reading time, buffer and start time.
- 2. List the sectionsEnter each section as: name, questions to answer, marks each.
- 3. Follow the planGet time per mark, per question and a finish-by time for each section.
How the time is shared
A fair way to plan a written exam is to give each question time in proportion to its marks. First take out reading time at the start and a buffer at the end. Then divide the working time by the total marks.
Time per mark = (duration − reading time − buffer) ÷ total marks. A question's time = its marks × time per mark.
Worked example with the defaults: a 180-minute exam with 10 minutes of reading and a 15-minute buffer leaves 155 minutes. Sections A (10 × 2 marks), B (5 × 6) and C (3 × 10) add up to 80 marks. 155 ÷ 80 = about 1.9 minutes per mark, so a 2-mark question gets about 3.9 minutes and a 10-mark question about 19.4 minutes. Starting at 10:00, you should finish Section A by about 10:49.
Tips for using the plan
Write the finish-by times on your rough sheet. If you fall behind, cut short the question you are on and move on, because the first marks in each answer are usually the easiest to get. Start with the section you know best if your exam allows any order.
Enter only the questions you must answer, not the choices. For MCQ papers with a penalty, see the negative marking calculator. To plan revision before the exam, use the exam countdown planner.
Frequently asked questions
Should every question get time by marks?
It is a good starting point. Short answers you know well can take less time, which gives you more for long answers.
What if my exam has optional questions?
Enter only the number you have to answer in each section.
Does it work for online tests?
Yes. For MCQ tests, enter one section with the number of questions and marks each.
Is this tool free?
Yes. You enter your name and WhatsApp number once when you see your result, and other Uncodemy tools then open without the form.