Cambridge IGCSE Maths Exam Strategy: Time Management Guide

Effective time management is crucial for success in Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics exams. This guide provides proven strategies for allocating time, prioritizing questions, and maximizing your marks within the exam time limit.

Understanding Exam Structure

Paper 1 (Core) or Paper 2 (Extended):

• Duration: 2 hours
• Marks: 70-100 marks (depending on paper)
• Questions: Mix of short and long answer
• Calculator: Allowed for Paper 2, not for Paper 1

Time Allocation Formula:

• 1 mark = approximately 1 minute
• 5-mark question = 5 minutes
• 10-mark question = 10 minutes
• Leave 10-15 minutes for checking

Example:

• 2-hour exam (120 minutes)
• 100 marks total
• 1 mark per minute = 100 minutes
• 20 minutes buffer for checking and difficult questions

Pre-Exam Time Management

Before You Start:

• Read all questions quickly (5 minutes)
• Identify easy vs difficult questions
• Plan your approach
• Check you have all materials
• Stay calm

Question Prioritization:

• Start with questions you know well
• Build confidence early
• Leave difficult questions for later
• Don’t get stuck early
• Maximize marks you can get

During the Exam: Time Allocation Strategy

Phase 1: Quick Scan (5 minutes)

• Read through all questions
• Identify question types
• Note which look easy/difficult
• Plan your order
• Don’t start answering yet

Phase 2: Answer Easy Questions First (60-70 minutes)

• Start with questions you’re confident about
• Build momentum
• Secure marks early
• Don’t rush, but work efficiently
• Show working clearly

Phase 3: Tackle Medium Questions (30-40 minutes)

• Move to moderate difficulty
• Apply same time allocation
• Show working for method marks
• Don’t spend too long on one question
• Move on if stuck

Phase 4: Difficult Questions (15-20 minutes)

• Attempt challenging questions
• Show partial working
• Get method marks even if wrong answer
• Don’t leave completely blank
• Move on if taking too long

Phase 5: Final Check (10-15 minutes)

• Review all answers
• Check calculations
• Verify units
• Ensure you’ve answered all parts
• Fill in any blanks

Time Management by Question Type

Multiple Choice Questions:

• Allocate 1-2 minutes per question
• Don’t spend too long
• Eliminate obviously wrong answers
• Guess if unsure (no penalty)
• Move quickly through these

Short Answer Questions (1-3 marks):

• 1-3 minutes per question
• Be concise but complete
• Show key steps
• Don’t over-explain
• Move on quickly

Medium Questions (4-6 marks):

• 4-6 minutes per question
• Show all working
• Method marks important
• Check your answer
• Don’t rush but be efficient

Long Questions (7+ marks):

• 7-10 minutes per question
• Plan your approach
• Show all steps clearly
• Check as you go
• Leave time for verification

Warning Signs: When You’re Behind Time

Red Flags:

• More than halfway through time but less than half marks attempted
• Spending more than 2 minutes per mark
• Getting stuck on one question for too long
• Feeling rushed
• Not leaving time for checking

What to Do:

• Skip to easier questions
• Show partial working for difficult ones
• Come back to skipped questions
• Don’t panic
• Maximize marks you can get

Time-Saving Strategies

1. Know Your Formulas

• Learn formulas thoroughly
• Don’t waste time looking them up
• Use formula sheet efficiently
• Practice recall

2. Show Working Efficiently

• Show key steps, not every calculation
• Use calculator efficiently
• Don’t write out obvious steps
• Balance clarity with speed

3. Read Questions Efficiently

• Read carefully but quickly
• Underline key information
• Identify what’s asked
• Don’t re-read unnecessarily

4. Use Calculator Effectively

• Know your calculator functions
• Use memory functions
• Check calculations quickly
• Don’t make simple errors

Common Time Wasters to Avoid

1. Over-Planning

• Don’t spend too long planning
• Quick plan is enough
• Start answering quickly
• Adjust as you go

2. Perfectionism

• Don’t aim for perfect answers
• Good enough is fine
• Method marks help
• Move on when done

3. Getting Stuck

• Don’t spend too long on one question
• Move on and come back
• Show partial working
• Get other marks first

4. Over-Checking

• Check important calculations
• Don’t re-do everything
• Trust your first attempt
• Focus on likely errors

Practice Time Management

Timed Practice:

• Do past papers under timed conditions
• Practice time allocation
• Build speed gradually
• Identify time-consuming topics
• Improve efficiency

Mock Exams:

• Full exam under exam conditions
• Practice time management
• Identify weak areas
• Build exam stamina
• Reduce anxiety

Tracking:

• Time yourself per question
• Identify slow areas
• Work on improving speed
• Balance speed and accuracy
• Practice regularly

Exam Day Time Management

Before Exam:

• Arrive early (15-20 minutes)
• Use bathroom
• Prepare materials
• Stay calm
• Read instructions

During Exam:

• Check time regularly
• Don’t watch clock constantly
• Use watch/timer if allowed
• Stay aware of time
• Adjust pace as needed

If Running Out of Time:

• Prioritize high-mark questions
• Show partial working
• Get method marks
• Don’t leave blanks
• Do your best

Related Resources

• Cambridge IGCSE Maths Past Papers
• IGCSE Maths Revision Guide
• IGCSE Maths Tutor

---

Effective time management is essential for IGCSE Maths success. Practice these strategies regularly and you’ll maximize your marks within the time limit.