Why Students Struggle With Time Management in Exams and How to Fix It
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Exams are, without a doubt, one of the most stressful parts of student life. Between the pressure to perform, the overwhelming volume of content, and the constant ticking of the clock, it’s easy to see why time management is one of the biggest challenges students face during exam season.
But here's the important part: you’re not alone, and you're definitely not “bad” at sitting exams, you just haven’t mastered the right techniques yet. That’s why this guide is here to help. By understanding where most students go wrong and how to build better habits, you can take control of your exams and perform at your best.
Let’s break it down.
Why Do Students Struggle with Time Management?
1. Lack of structured planning
Many students start revising without a proper plan, thinking they’ll “figure it out” or “just get it over and done with”. But when you’re juggling eight to ten subjects, multiple topics in each, and different exam formats, things start to get overwhelming quickly. Without a clear revision timetable, you risk spending too much time on one subject and not enough on another.
2. Underestimating the workload
It’s easy to glance at the syllabus for a subject like biology or history and think you can cover it in a few days, that is, until you’re drowning in key terms, dates, diagrams, and 12-mark questions. Misjudging how much time you need to study each topic is one of the most common time management mistakes that students make.
3. Procrastination and distraction
Let’s be honest: sometimes the biggest challenge isn’t the revision itself, it’s actually getting started. Social media, group chats, Netflix, or even just scrolling on your phone “for a minute” can eat into hours that could’ve been spent studying. Procrastination doesn’t just delay work, it creates more stress when the work starts to pile up.
4. Poor time management during the exam
Even students who revise effectively often struggle with exam time management. Maybe you spend too long on a question at the beginning of the paper, or you panic when you see something tricky and lose track of time. It’s not just what you study that matters, it’s how you perform on the day.
5. Anxiety and overthinking
You know your stuff. You’ve revised for weeks. But as soon as the exam starts, your mind goes blank. Anxiety slows down recall, increases hesitation, and has you checking the clock every two minutes. Mental pressure is a genuine barrier to performing efficiently in an exam, especially when you're trying to stay focused under timed conditions.
How to Fix It: Time Management Techniques That Actually Work
Time management doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but the good news is that it can be learned, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll feel more in control, not just during exams, but in life in general.
1. Create a realistic revision timetable
Plan backwards from your exam dates. Write down every subject, break each into topics, and spread them out across days or weeks. Use tools like Google Calendar, Notion, or even a simple planner to assign specific topics to specific time blocks. The key is maintaining balance and being realistic. Don't cram five subjects into one day just because you can. The important thing is that your revision timetable is sustainable, so make sure you pace yourself.
2. Use active revision strategies
Passively reading a textbook over and over again is not revision. Instead, try:
Flashcards (Quizlet is brilliant for this)
Study groups or paired teaching
Mind maps
Past paper questions
Summarising a topic in your own words
The more active your brain is during revision, the more information sticks, and the less time you’ll waste rereading.
3. Practise with timed past papers
This one’s crucial. Exam success is not just about knowledge, it’s about how you apply that knowledge under time pressure. Set aside a few hours each week to do past papers in exam conditions, watching the clock just like you would in a real exam hall. The more you practise this, the less panic you'll feel when time starts to tick during your real exams.
4. Follow the mark-per-minute rule
Every question in an exam paper is worth a certain number of marks, and each mark roughly equates to one minute of writing. So, if you see an eight-mark question, you’ve got about eight minutes to answer it. However, if you’ve hit the 10 minute mark and you still haven’t finished your answer, move on. This prevents you from getting stuck and leaving other questions potentially worth more marks incomplete.
5. Set boundaries and look after yourself
Revision is pointless if you’re burnt out. Make time for sunlight, exercise, family, good food, and sleep. Use the Pomodoro method while revising (25 minutes studying and a five-minute break). There's a strong link between well-being and memory function. Your brain can’t perform to the best of its ability under stress, fatigue, or pressure.
Final Thoughts
Time management is one of the most valuable skills you can learn in school. Not just for exams, but for university, apprenticeships, jobs, and life in general. When you start managing your time efficiently, it’ll become easier for you to break big tasks down into smaller, more manageable chunks and give yourself enough space to perform at your best.
