This timer is built to teach strong exam strategies and techniques for maximising marks in limited time — not just a clock. Run past papers under realistic time pressure with presets for Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel International (IGCSE / International GCSE and International AS & A Level), AQA GCSE and AQA AS & A Level, Edexcel GCSE (9–1), OxfordAQA International AS & A Level, and IB Diploma Programme — paper durations follow typical 2026 specification session lengths (always confirm on your timetable). After you start, move through read — work — review steps with a countdown and on-screen tips; optionally set total marks for a rough minutes-per-mark guide (confirm on each paper). Save each sitting to see how your time taken trends on a simple chart. For marks and grades, use the Past Paper Score Tracker; for grade boundaries, see the Grade Boundary Tracker.
Free
Log time per question, then download a PDF with ideal time allocation, over/under pacing, and exam techniques & strategies to speed up or slow down where it matters.
How do you want to time this paper?
Guided mode teaches exam strategies and techniques for maximising marks in the time you have — each section has targeted guidance, not only a timer. Choose your qualification, subject, and paper, then use read → work → review with a countdown per block (teal → amber → red). Time limits follow typical 2026 syllabus session lengths; confirm on your final timetable.
Used only for a rough minutes-per-mark hint (paper-wide). Mark schemes differ — edit if your paper isn't 80 marks.
Guide pace: ~1.13 min per mark (80 marks) · optional rough check only
Each point is one saved session from this browser (minutes on vertical axis). Export CSV anytime without signing up.
No sessions yet — finish a paper and tap "Save to graph".
After your paper, log minutes per question or part (or note them as you go). We compare your times to ideal minutes proportional to marks using the paper length and total marks from your setup above — then you can download a gated Personalised Time Efficiency Report (PDF) with over/under pacing and exam-technique tips.
| Question / part | Marks | Your time (min) | Ideal (min) | Over / under | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — |
It does both. Each phase includes practical exam strategy and technique prompts (for example tackling easier marks first and pacing under pressure) so you practise maximising marks in limited time — not just watching a clock.
Simple countdown is one timer for the whole paper — time remaining only, ideal for a clean mock. Guided sections splits the paper into read → work → review blocks with on-screen tips, next-section buttons, and traffic-light timing per block.
Yes. It runs in your browser with no sign-up. Session data you save stays on your device (localStorage).
Presets focus on Cambridge International IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel International GCSE, Cambridge International AS & A Level, and Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level — with Maths and Sciences highlighted. Durations follow typical 2026-style session lengths from past paper materials; always confirm final times on your timetable.
This tool is for pacing and timing: a count-up clock, suggested phase blocks, and a graph of minutes taken. The Past Paper Score Tracker is for logging marks, grades, and score trends. Use both together for full practice.
Use the Past Paper Score Tracker for marks and percentages. This page stays focused on exam timing so pages do not compete for the same search intent.
If you enter an approximate total mark for the paper, we show minutes divided by that total — a rough whole-paper pace only. Real papers mix short and long questions, so treat it as a guide and adjust using the front cover, mark scheme, or your teacher.
Yes — optionally add marks and minutes per question or part in the table below the trend chart. We estimate ideal minutes proportional to marks (using your paper length and total marks) and you can download a gated Personalised Time Efficiency Report (PDF) with over/under pacing and exam-technique tips.
Experienced candidates often secure straightforward marks and quick wins before spending time on harder parts. That reduces the risk of running out of time while easier marks are still on the table, and it can improve confidence — the on-screen tips reflect that exam technique.
Yes, for practice — but in a real exam the clock does not stop. Prefer to run through without pausing when you want a true mock. Use pause only for a short break during practice, then resume.