How to Pace Yourself on a Timed Exam: Minutes Per Question

Start with minutes per question

Divide the time you have by the number of questions. Then take off a review buffer, 5 to 10% of the time, for flagged questions. The test time calculator does the sum and gives you checkpoints.

Three examples

GMAT: 64 questions in 2 hours 15 minutes is about 2 minutes 6 seconds each, before any review time.
PANCE: 300 questions in 5 hours is exactly 1 minute each, so pace is tight and quick decisions matter.
NAPLEX: 225 questions in 6 hours is about 1 minute 36 seconds each.

Question counts and times can change, so confirm them on the exam body’s site before you plan. The exam guides link to each one.

Set checkpoints

Do not check the clock after every question. Check at the quarter marks. At 25%, 50% and 75% of the questions you should be at 25%, 50% and 75% of your working time. If you are more than a few minutes behind, speed up on the next block instead of panicking.

Decide what to skip

If you are not close to an answer after about twice your average time, make your best guess, flag it if the exam allows, and move on.
An easy question left unanswered costs the same as a hard one. Bank the easy points first.
Never leave a question blank if there is no penalty for a wrong answer.

Check each exam’s rules on flagging and going back, because some do not let you return to earlier questions.

Practise the pace

Do timed question blocks in your last weeks, at real exam pace, and review the ones you rushed. Pace is a skill that improves with practice. For the planning side, see the study hours guide.

Source: GMAC, mba.com. NCCPA, nccpa.net. NABP, nabp.pharmacy. Confirm current test lengths on each site.