Time for Marks

[Srd2000]

Hi All, just wondering as a general guide, is it good to multiply the marks a question is worth by 1.5 in order to get the amount of time you should be able to do it in? For example, if a question is worth 2 marks, (2*1.5) you allow 3 minutes; 6 mark question = 9 minutes.

[Joseph41]

Hi All, just wondering as a general guide, is it good to multiply the marks a question is worth by 1.5 in order to get the amount of time you should be able to do it in? For example, if a question is worth 2 marks, (2*1.5) you allow 3 minutes; 6 mark question = 9 minutes.

If you think about it, this depends a lot on the amount of time given to complete the paper.

[Sine]

Hi All, just wondering as a general guide, is it good to multiply the marks a question is worth by 1.5 in order to get the amount of time you should be able to do it in? For example, if a question is worth 2 marks, (2*1.5) you allow 3 minutes; 6 mark question = 9 minutes.

What subject are you talking about? It will differ for each one

From what you are saying I'm assuming maths methods. So technically you have 1.5 minutes per mark but that means absolutely no room for error and no time for checking. I'd say a student who knows their content well would aim for 1 mark per minute.

[Srd2000]

Great, thanks. I am talking about physics, chem, spec and methods.

[Yertle the Turtle]

It's important to get priorities right. Think through the easy and slightly hard questions at the start during reading time so that you can write them straight in. Unless you have a bit of reading time over generally avoid looking at the multi-choice, generally stick to the longer questions and get some thought out early to allow yourself extra time.

A suggestion I got recently is to take a highlighter into the exam, and on each question highlight each important point of the question so that you don't miss anything (e.g. info on the number of decimal places)

Sometimes overthinking the amount of time per mark can be a problem. For some people it works, but I know that it is way too easy to overthink exams for me!!

[Aaron]

I'd say a student who knows their content well would aim for 1 mark per minute.

I second this. 1 mark per minute (or around that) is usually the best way to go.

Personally - I don't really pay attention to timing. For something like maths, a 2 mark question will require 2 steps or require you to present two different things (e.g. working out and an answer). Marking usually depends on the amount of work required for that particular question (work meaning your response + thought).