5.8 Exam Strategies and Time Management
Learn exam strategies, time management and how to maximise your score.
Exam Strategies and Time Management
You have spent months learning English — vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Now the exam is approaching, and the challenge is not just what you know, but how well you can demonstrate it under time pressure.
Many students who know their subject well still underperform on exams because they:
- Run out of time on the long-answer section
- Spend too long on one question and rush through others
- Do not read the task carefully and answer the wrong question
- Forget to proofread their work
- Let nerves take over and freeze
This chapter is your exam survival guide. It will not teach you new English — it will teach you how to use everything you already know as effectively as possible on exam day.
The written English exam at a glance:
- Duration: Typically 5 hours
- Preparation day: You receive the theme and preparatory materials the day before
- Exam day: You choose from several tasks and write your responses
- Allowed aids: Dictionary (printed), your own preparatory notes
- Structure: Usually includes both short-answer tasks and one or more long-answer tasks
The key principle: Time spent planning is never wasted. The students who perform best on exams are not always the ones who know the most — they are the ones who manage their time and energy most effectively.
Five hours sounds like a lot, but time disappears quickly on exam day. Here is a proven framework for managing your time:
Phase 1: Orientation (15-20 minutes)
- Read ALL tasks carefully — every single word
- Identify task types (short answer, long answer, creative writing)
- Decide which long-answer task you will choose
- Note the word counts or length requirements for each task
- Estimate how many marks each section is worth
Phase 2: Short Answers (60-90 minutes)
- Answer the short-answer questions first (they are usually quicker)
- Spend 5-10 minutes per short answer
- Use PEE method (Point, Evidence, Explanation)
- Do not write more than asked — if it says "3-5 sentences," write 3-5 sentences
Phase 3: Long Answer Planning (15-20 minutes)
- Brainstorm ideas for your chosen task
- Select your best 3-4 ideas
- Create a quick outline (thesis, main points, conclusion)
- Decide on your opening hook and closing statement
Phase 4: Long Answer Writing (120-150 minutes)
- Follow your plan, but remain flexible
- Write the introduction and conclusion with extra care — these make the strongest impression
- Do not stop to perfect every sentence — get the full text written first
- Leave a few lines between paragraphs in case you want to add something later
Phase 5: Revision and Proofreading (30-40 minutes)
- Read through EVERYTHING you have written
- Check for the common errors you know you tend to make
- Verify that you have answered every question
- Make sure your long answer has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion
- Check spelling of words you are unsure about using your dictionary
Time allocation summary:
| Phase | Time | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation | 15-20 min | Read, choose, plan |
| Short answers | 60-90 min | Answer all short questions |
| Long answer planning | 15-20 min | Brainstorm and outline |
| Long answer writing | 120-150 min | Draft complete text |
| Revision | 30-40 min | Proofread and improve |
| Total | ~300 min (5 hours) |
Look at this exam task and identify the key requirements a student must address.
Task: "The preparatory text discusses the concept of the American Dream. Write an article for a youth magazine in which you discuss whether the American Dream is still achievable for young people today. Use examples from the preparatory material AND at least one example from your own knowledge or experience. Your article should be 300-400 words."
1. Text type: Article (not an essay — requires headline, possibly a byline, engaging tone appropriate for a magazine)
2. Audience: Youth magazine readers (young people — use accessible language, relatable examples)
3. Topic: Whether the American Dream is still achievable for young people TODAY (not a historical overview — focus on the present)
4. Task word: "Discuss" (explore multiple perspectives — not just argue one side)
5. Sources required:
- Examples from the preparatory material (MUST reference specific content from the text you received)
- At least ONE example from your own knowledge or experience
6. Length: 300-400 words (not 200, not 500 — stay within the range)
Common mistakes students make with this task:
| Mistake | Why it loses marks |
|---|---|
| Writing an essay instead of an article | Wrong text type — no headline, wrong structure |
| Only discussing the historical American Dream | Task says "today" — must focus on the present |
| Not using the preparatory material | Explicitly required — failing to reference it shows you did not engage with the material |
| Only giving one perspective | "Discuss" means explore different viewpoints |
| Writing 200 or 600 words | Outside the required range — shows poor task management |
| Forgetting personal examples | The task requires "your own knowledge or experience" |
Pro tip: Underline the key words in every task before you begin writing. This takes 30 seconds and can prevent a major mistake.
On a 5-hour written exam, approximately how much time should you spend on planning and revision combined?
Read each exam task below and identify ALL the key requirements (text type, audience, topic, task word, sources, length). Then list one common mistake a student might make.
"Write a formal letter to the school board arguing that your school should offer more outdoor activities. Use at least two arguments supported by evidence. Your letter should be 200-300 words."
"Based on the two texts you have read, compare how the authors present the theme of identity. In your answer, refer to specific language choices in both texts. Write 150-200 words."
Proofreading is not just reading through your text once and hoping for the best. It is a systematic process. Use this checklist in the final 30 minutes of the exam.
Round 1: Content and Structure (10 minutes)
- Have I answered the question that was asked?
- Does my text have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion?
- Is every paragraph about ONE main idea?
- Do I use transition words between paragraphs?
- Have I included everything the task requires (quotes, examples, personal experience)?
Round 2: Grammar and Spelling (10 minutes)
Check specifically for these common errors:
| Error type | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Subject-verb agreement | "He don't" → "He doesn't" |
| Tense consistency | Don't switch between past and present randomly |
| Articles | "I like the nature" → "I like nature" |
| Prepositions | "good in" → "good at", "interested on" → "interested in" |
| Spelling | Their/there/they're, your/you're, its/it's |
| Word order | Norwegian word order in English sentences |
| Run-on sentences | Sentences that are too long — split them |
Round 3: Style and Vocabulary (10 minutes)
- Have I used varied vocabulary? (not the same word five times)
- Can I replace any simple words with more precise ones? (good → excellent, beneficial, remarkable)
- Are my sentences varied in length? (mix short punchy sentences with longer complex ones)
- Does the text sound like ME? (authentic voice, not a robot)
Pro tip: Read backwards.
To catch spelling errors, read your text backwards — from the last sentence to the first. This forces your brain to see each sentence individually, rather than filling in what it expects to see.
Read this student's exam text and identify all the errors. Then show the corrected version.
"In todays society social media have became a big part of our lifes. Many peoples use social media every day, and it affect them in diffrent ways. Some peoples think that social media is good because you can communicate with friends, but other peoples think it are bad because of cyberbullying. I use to scroll through Instagram everyday and it made me feel bad about my self."
| Error | Type | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| "todays" | Apostrophe missing | "today's" |
| "have became" | Tense (present perfect) | "has become" |
| "lifes" | Irregular plural | "lives" |
| "peoples" (x3) | Incorrect plural | "people" (already plural) |
| "it affect" | Subject-verb agreement | "it affects" |
| "diffrent" | Spelling | "different" |
| "it are bad" | Subject-verb agreement | "it is bad" |
| "I use to" | Direct translation from Norwegian | "I used to" |
| "everyday" | Wrong form (adverb vs. adjective) | "every day" |
| "my self" | Spelling | "myself" |
| Missing comma | Punctuation | After "In today's society," |
Corrected version:
"In today's society, social media has become a big part of our lives. Many people use social media every day, and it affects them in different ways. Some people think that social media is good because you can communicate with friends, but other people think it is bad because of cyberbullying. I used to scroll through Instagram every day, and it made me feel bad about myself."
Improved version (better vocabulary and style):
"In today's society, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. Millions of people engage with platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat every day, and the effects are far from straightforward. While social media offers valuable opportunities for connection and self-expression, it also exposes users to cyberbullying, unrealistic beauty standards, and addictive content. I personally used to spend hours scrolling through Instagram, and I noticed that it consistently left me feeling inadequate about my own life."
Key improvements in the enhanced version:
- "big part" → "integral part" (more sophisticated vocabulary)
- Specific platform names added (concrete details)
- "good/bad" → more nuanced language
- Personal experience elaborated with specific detail
Proofread these sentences. Each contains at least one error typical of Norwegian students writing in English. Find the error(s) and write the corrected sentence.
"The students in my class thinks that the test was very hard and that the teacher should of gave us more time."
"She told to me that she was interesting in travelling to USA next summer."
"I agree on your opinion because I also think that we need to take more care of the environment."
"Last year I have been to London where I visited many famous sightseeing."
Success on exam day depends not just on your English skills, but on how you manage your energy, stress, and focus.
The night before:
- Review your preparatory material one final time, then STOP
- Prepare everything you need: pen, dictionary, water, snacks, student ID
- Set two alarms
- Go to bed at a reasonable time — sleep is more valuable than last-minute cramming
The morning of the exam:
- Eat a proper breakfast (your brain needs fuel)
- Arrive early — rushing creates unnecessary stress
- Speak English for 5-10 minutes before the exam (warm up your language brain)
- Do a brief breathing exercise: breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 4, breathe out for 4
During the exam — if you feel stuck:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Cannot choose a task | Set a 3-minute timer. Pick the one you have the most to say about, not the one that looks easiest |
| Mind goes blank | Write ANYTHING related to the topic. Even a bad sentence is better than an empty page. The ideas will come once you start writing |
| Running out of time | Prioritise: write a brief conclusion for your long answer rather than leaving it unfinished. An incomplete essay with a conclusion scores better than a half-finished one |
| Getting anxious | Pause. Take 5 deep breaths. Look away from the paper for 30 seconds. Then return to the task |
| Made a mistake | Cross it out neatly with a single line. Do not scribble. Examiners understand that exam texts are first drafts |
| Dictionary is slowing you down | Only use the dictionary for words that are ESSENTIAL to your meaning. Do not look up every word you are unsure about |
After the exam:
- Do not compare answers with classmates — it causes unnecessary stress
- The exam is done. Whatever happened, you did your best with the time and knowledge you had
- Treat yourself to something nice — you earned it
A student opens their exam paper and sees this long-answer task: "The preparatory text explores the concept of justice. Write an essay in which you discuss what justice means in today's world. Use examples from at least two different contexts (for example: social justice, environmental justice, criminal justice, or economic justice)."
The student thinks: "I don't know anything about justice. I'm going to fail." Show how to overcome this feeling and start writing.
"I don't know anything about justice" is a panic response, not reality. You encounter justice every day — in school rules, in news stories, in how you and your friends treat each other. The task is asking you to THINK, not to be an expert.
Step 2: Quick brainstorm — write down everything you associate with "justice" (3 minutes)
- Fair treatment → school rules, equal opportunities
- Criminal justice → prison, rehabilitation vs. punishment, Norway's system
- Social media → cancel culture, online justice, mob mentality
- Climate → rich countries polluting more, poor countries suffering
- Everyday life → fairness in friendships, standing up for others
Step 3: Choose two contexts and a thesis (2 minutes)
Contexts: Criminal justice + Climate justice
Thesis: "Justice is not a fixed concept — it means different things in different contexts, but at its core, it is about fairness and accountability."
Step 4: Quick outline (5 minutes)
1. Introduction: Hook with a question about what fairness means, thesis
2. Body 1: Criminal justice — Norway's rehabilitation model vs. US punishment model
3. Body 2: Climate justice — rich countries' responsibility, developing nations suffering
4. Body 3: Connection — both examples show that justice requires those with power to take responsibility
5. Conclusion: Justice is about accountability, and it requires action, not just good intentions
Step 5: Start writing (the introduction)
"What does it mean to be fair? At first glance, the answer seems obvious — treat everyone equally. But justice, as a concept, is far more complex than simple equality. In a world where some people start with advantages and others face systemic barriers, true justice requires not just equal treatment, but equitable outcomes. This essay will explore what justice means in two very different contexts — criminal justice and climate justice — and argue that both demand accountability from those with the greatest power."
The key insight: You ALWAYS know more than you think you do. The brainstorming step unlocks knowledge you did not realise you had. Never skip it.
You have 20 minutes left on the exam and your long-answer essay is missing its conclusion. What should you do?
Create your personal exam preparation plan. This is a practical exercise to complete before your actual exam.
Make a list of your 5 most common English writing errors (be specific — not just "grammar", but "subject-verb agreement with third person singular"). These are the errors you will check for during proofreading.
Write out your time management plan for a 5-hour exam. Include specific time allocations for each phase.
List 5 "upgrade words" — simple words you tend to overuse, paired with more sophisticated alternatives you can use on the exam.
During the exam, you realise you have been writing about the wrong topic for 30 minutes. What is the best course of action?
Summary: Your Exam Day Checklist
Before the exam:
- Prepare materials: pen, dictionary, water, snacks
- Review preparatory material, then rest
- Get enough sleep — your brain needs it
- Eat a proper breakfast
Reading tasks:
- Read EVERY word of every task
- Underline key requirements: text type, audience, topic, task word, length
- Choose the task you have the most to say about
Time management (5-hour exam):
- Orientation: 15-20 minutes
- Short answers: 60-90 minutes
- Long answer planning: 15-20 minutes
- Long answer writing: 120-150 minutes
- Proofreading: 30-40 minutes
Proofreading (three rounds):
1. Content and structure — Did I answer the question?
2. Grammar and spelling — Check your personal error list
3. Style and vocabulary — Can I upgrade any words?
If things go wrong:
- Stuck? Brainstorm for 3 minutes — you know more than you think
- Running out of time? Write a brief conclusion rather than none
- Made a mistake? Cross out neatly and redirect
- Feeling anxious? Pause, breathe, then return to the task
Remember: The exam is a chance to show what you CAN do, not a trap designed to catch you out. Trust your preparation, manage your time, and write with confidence. You have got this.
Full exam simulation: Set a timer for 90 minutes and complete the following tasks as if you were in an exam. Do not use any aids except a dictionary.
Short answer (15 minutes): "Explain what is meant by 'media literacy' and give two reasons why it is important for young people today." Write 80-120 words.
Short answer (15 minutes): "Compare how a blog post and a news article present information differently. Give one example of each." Write 80-120 words.
Long answer (60 minutes): "Write an article for a school newspaper about a topic that matters to your generation. Choose your own topic, give your article a headline, and write 300-400 words."
Reflection and self-assessment: After completing the timed simulation above (or any practice exam), answer these reflection questions honestly.
How did you manage your time? Did you finish everything? If not, what would you change next time?
Read through your long answer and identify three specific improvements you could make (one for content, one for language, one for structure).
What is the ONE thing you will focus on improving before your actual exam? Be specific.
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