Exam Technique & Timing

Knowing your mathematics is essential, but how you approach the exam can be just as important. This lesson covers strategies for managing your time, avoiding common mistakes, and making sure you pick up every mark you can. Think of this lesson as your game plan for exam day.

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Understanding the GL 11+ Maths Test

Key Facts

Feature	Detail
Test provider	GL Assessment (Granada Learning)
Duration	Typically 45–50 minutes
Question types	Multiple choice (usually 4 or 5 options per question)
Number of questions	Usually around 40–50 questions
Calculator	Not allowed
Working out	You may be given rough paper — use it!
Scoring	Each correct answer = 1 mark. No marks deducted for wrong answers

Key fact: There is no penalty for guessing. Never leave a question blank!

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Time Management

The Golden Rule

Do the easy questions first. Do not get stuck on a hard question and lose time that could be spent earning marks elsewhere.

Suggested Timing Strategy

Phase	What to do	Time
Phase 1	Work through the paper, answering all questions you can do quickly	First pass
Phase 2	Return to harder questions and give them more thought	Second pass
Phase 3	Check your answers and fill in any blanks (guess if needed)	Final 5 minutes

How Long Per Question?

If the test is 50 minutes with 50 questions, you have roughly 1 minute per question on average. Some questions will take 20 seconds; others might take 2 minutes. The key is not to spend more than 2 minutes on any single question during your first pass.

Top Tip: If a question is taking too long, circle it and move on. Come back to it later.

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Reading Questions Carefully

Common Traps

Trap	Example
The question asks for the difference	Many students add instead of subtract
The question says "not"	"Which of these is NOT a factor of 24?"
Units change within the question	Question gives metres and centimetres — you must convert
The answer is not the final calculation	"How much change?" — you need to subtract from the total

Strategy: Underline Key Words

Before you start calculating, underline:

• The numbers
• The operation words (total, difference, each, share, etc.)
• What the question is actually asking for

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Working Out

Why Show Your Working

Even though the test is multiple choice, working things out on paper helps you:

1. Avoid mistakes — writing each step reduces mental errors.
2. Check your answer — you can retrace your steps if something looks wrong.
3. Stay organised — multi-step problems are much easier when you write things down.

Efficient Working

• Write neatly so you can read it.
• Label your working (e.g. "Cost of 3 shirts = ...").
• Cross out working you no longer need to keep your rough paper tidy.

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The Process of Elimination

In a multiple-choice test, you can often work out the answer by eliminating wrong options.

Worked Example

What is 347 × 8?

Options: A) 2,476 B) 2,776 C) 2,876 D) 3,176

Step 1: Estimate: 350 × 8 = 2,800. So the answer is near 2,800.

• A) 2,476 — too low. Eliminate.
• D) 3,176 — too high. Eliminate.

Step 2: Check the units digit: 7 × 8 = 56, so the answer must end in 6.

• B) 2,776 — ends in 6 ✓
• C) 2,876 — ends in 6 ✓

Step 3: Calculate properly: 347 × 8 = 2,776.

Answer: B

Exam Tip: Even if you cannot do the full calculation, estimation and checking the last digit can help you narrow down the options.

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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mistake	Prevention strategy
Misreading the question	Read it twice. Underline key words.
Arithmetic errors	Double-check by using the inverse operation.
Forgetting to convert units	Always check: are all numbers in the same units?
Choosing a "trick" answer	The most obvious answer is sometimes a trap. Check!
Leaving questions blank	There is no penalty — always guess if you are stuck.
Spending too long on one question	Set a mental limit of 2 minutes. Move on and return.

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Estimation and Checking

Using Estimation

Round the numbers to make a quick calculation. If your exact answer is far from the estimate, you have probably made an error.

3,412 × 19