How Can I Ensure I Don’t Run Out of Time During the Exam?

Managing time effectively during a competitive exam like CLAT is crucial to ensure you answer as many questions as possible without feeling rushed. Running out of time often results from poor planning, overthinking, or lingering too long on difficult questions. Here’s a detailed strategy to help you optimise your time and complete the exam confidently.

1. Familiarise Yourself with the Exam Pattern

Understanding the structure of the exam is the first step toward managing your time:

• CLAT consists of five sections with a total of 120 multiple-choice questions.
• You have 120 minutes, which means you get approximately 1 minute per question.

Allocate your time based on the complexity of each section. For example:

• English Language: 20–25 minutes
• Current Affairs, including General Knowledge: 10–15 minutes
• Legal Reasoning: 30–35 minutes
• Logical Reasoning: 25–30 minutes
• Quantitative Techniques: 15–20 minutes

Having a rough time plan for each section ensures you don’t spend too much time on one area.

2. Start with Your Strongest Section

Begin the exam with a section you’re most comfortable with. This approach helps you:

• Build confidence early in the exam.
• Secure marks in areas where you’re strong.
• Save time for tougher sections later.

For example, if you excel in Current Affairs, completing it quickly at the start frees up more time for challenging sections like Quantitative Techniques.

3. Don’t Get Stuck on Difficult Questions

It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re stuck on a tricky question. Instead:

• Skip and Mark: If a question seems too time-consuming, skip it and mark it for review. Move on to the next question to maintain your momentum.
• Set a mental time limit: Spend no more than 1–2 minutes on a challenging question before moving on.

This strategy ensures you don’t waste time and have enough left for questions you can answer confidently.

4. Use the Process of Elimination

When unsure about a question, use elimination to narrow down the options:

• Rule out clearly incorrect answers.
• Focus on the remaining choices and make an educated guess.

This method speeds up decision-making and prevents you from spending too much time analysing every option.

5. Practice Time Management with Mock Tests

Mock tests are your best tool for mastering time management. While practising:

• Simulate exam conditions by setting a timer for 120 minutes.
• Follow the same time allocation plan you’ll use on exam day.
• Track how long you spend on each section and adjust if needed.

After each mock test, analyse whether you completed the paper comfortably or rushed through the last few questions. Use this feedback to refine your strategy.

6. Prioritise Accuracy Over Quantity

Attempting every question isn’t always necessary, especially in exams with negative marking. Focus on:

• Answering questions you’re confident about first.
• Avoiding unnecessary risks with guesses if you’re unsure of the answer.
• Ensuring you don’t lose marks by rushing and making careless mistakes.

Balancing speed and accuracy is key to maximising your score.

7. Stick to a Section-Wise Time Plan

Divide your time per section and stick to it strictly. For example:

• If you’ve allocated 25 minutes for Legal Reasoning, move to the next section once the time is up, even if a few questions remain unanswered.
• Use the last few minutes of the exam to revisit skipped questions.

This disciplined approach ensures you cover the entire paper without running out of time.

8. Practice Speed Reading

Sections like English Language, Legal Reasoning, and Logical Reasoning often require reading lengthy passages. To save time:

• Practice reading comprehension daily to improve speed and retention.
• Focus on identifying key points, arguments, and conclusions without reading every word.
• Skim through passages for an overview before diving into the questions.

Speed reading techniques help you process information faster without sacrificing accuracy.

9. Use Shortcuts for Quantitative Techniques

For the Quantitative Techniques section, rely on shortcuts and mental math:

• Memorise key formulas and practice their application.
• Use estimation techniques for quick calculations.
• Avoid long-winded calculations by rounding off numbers where possible.

These techniques save valuable seconds and help you solve problems efficiently.

10. Monitor Time During the Exam

Keep an eye on the clock throughout the exam:

• Check your progress after completing each section to ensure you’re on track.
• Allocate more time to sections where you’re falling behind but avoid cutting into time for other areas.

Pacing yourself ensures you have enough time for all sections.

11. Use the “Mark and Review” Feature

In computer-based exams, use the “mark and review” feature for questions you’re unsure about:

• Move forward without spending too much time on them initially.
• Revisit marked questions during the final review if time permits.

This approach allows you to focus on high-confidence answers first while leaving room to address uncertainties later.

12. Stay Calm Under Pressure

Panic can lead to overthinking, slower performance, and poor time management. To stay calm:

• Take a few deep breaths if you feel overwhelmed.
• Focus on one question at a time rather than worrying about the entire paper.
• Trust your preparation and strategy.

A calm and focused mindset helps you work efficiently under timed conditions.

13. Use the Final Minutes for Review

Reserve the last 5–10 minutes for reviewing skipped or flagged questions. During this time:

• Focus on questions you’re close to solving.
• Avoid second-guessing answers unless you’re certain of a mistake.
• Double-check that you haven’t left any confident answers unanswered.

Efficient use of the final minutes can help you secure a few extra marks.

Conclusion

To ensure you don’t run out of time during the exam, focus on preparation, discipline, and a clear strategy. Stick to a time plan, prioritise accuracy, and practice extensively with mock tests to refine your pacing. With these strategies in place, you’ll be able to manage your time effectively, complete the paper confidently, and maximise your chances of success.