7 Time Management Tips for Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Time management is a crucial skill when it comes to the 11 Plus, particularly for the reasoning sections—verbal and non-verbal. These sections require not only a strong understanding of the material but also the ability to answer questions efficiently within the time limits.
For many students, managing time effectively during these sections can be challenging. However, with the right strategies, it’s possible to maximise performance and minimise the stress associated with these exams.
Prioritise Easier Questions First
One of the most effective time management strategies is to tackle the easier questions first. In both verbal and non-verbal reasoning, the questions are often mixed in terms of difficulty. By answering the questions you find straightforward first, you can quickly accumulate marks and build confidence.
This approach also ensures that you don’t spend too much time on challenging questions at the beginning, which could leave you rushing through easier questions later. Once you have completed the easier questions, you can then return to the more difficult ones with a clearer mind and less pressure.
Practice with Timed Sessions
Familiarity with the format and types of questions is important, but so is getting used to working under time constraints. Regular practice using timed sessions can help students develop a sense of how long they should spend on each question.
When practising, it’s useful to simulate exam conditions as closely as possible, setting a timer for each section and working through the questions without interruptions. Over time, this will help students gauge how quickly they need to work to complete each section within the allotted time.
Read the Instructions Carefully
In the rush to start answering questions, students might overlook the importance of reading the instructions thoroughly. However, understanding what is required for each question type is essential for avoiding mistakes that can cost valuable time.
For instance, some questions may require students to select more than one answer, or they may involve a specific method of shading or ticking. By taking a moment to ensure they fully understand the instructions, students can avoid having to go back and correct mistakes, thereby saving time.
Develop a Strategy for Guessing
Sometimes, it’s better to make an educated guess than to spend too much time on a single question. If a student is truly stuck on a question, particularly in the non-verbal reasoning section where visual puzzles can be tricky, it’s wise to make a guess and move on.
This approach ensures that time is spent on questions where the student is more likely to earn marks. However, guessing should be strategic—if a student can eliminate one or more obviously wrong answers, their chances of guessing correctly increase.
Monitor Your Progress
During the exam, it’s important for students to regularly check their progress against the time remaining. This can be done by having a mental or physical checkpoint for how many questions should be completed by certain points during the test.
For instance, if a student knows that they should be halfway through the section by the halfway mark on the clock, they can quickly adjust their pace if they find they are behind schedule. This self-monitoring helps to prevent last-minute panic and ensures a steady pace throughout the exam.
Stay Calm and Focused
Maintaining calm and focus is key to effective time management. Anxiety can lead to second-guessing and overthinking, which not only wastes time but also undermines confidence.
Students should practise techniques such as deep breathing or briefly closing their eyes to regroup if they feel overwhelmed during the exam. A clear, focused mind allows for quicker decision-making and better time management, as well as reducing the likelihood of errors.
Leave Time for Review
Ideally, students should aim to complete the reasoning sections with a few minutes to spare. This extra time can be used to review answers and make sure that no questions have been missed.
While it’s important not to rush through the exam just to have time for review, working steadily with this goal in mind ensures that any careless mistakes can be caught and corrected. Even a brief review can make a significant difference in the final score, particularly if it allows the student to correct an oversight or fill in a missed answer.
Summary
Effective time management in the verbal and non-verbal reasoning sections of the 11 Plus is about more than just working quickly—it’s about working smartly.
By prioritising easier questions, practising under timed conditions, carefully reading instructions, guessing strategically, monitoring progress, staying calm, and leaving time for review, students can maximise their performance and approach the exam with greater confidence.
