Exam Technique & Timing

This final lesson is all about how to perform your best on exam day. You have learned the skills — now let us make sure you use them effectively under timed conditions. Good exam technique can be the difference between a good score and a great one.

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Understanding the GL 11+ Verbal Reasoning Exam

Key Facts

Detail	Information
Exam board	GL Assessment
Time allowed	Typically 45–50 minutes
Number of questions	Usually around 80 questions
Question format	Multiple choice
Answer method	Usually on a separate answer sheet
Negative marking?	No (you are not penalised for wrong answers)
Calculator allowed?	No

Important: The exact format may vary slightly depending on your area. Check with your school or tutor for the specific details.

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The Golden Rules of Exam Technique

Rule 1: Read the Question Carefully

This sounds obvious, but under pressure, many students rush and misread the question. Common mistakes include:

• Choosing a synonym when the question asks for an antonym.
• Finding the word that is most similar when the question asks for the odd one out.
• Missing the word not in a question.

Tip: Underline key words in the question before answering.

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Rule 2: Do Not Spend Too Long on One Question

With around 80 questions in 45–50 minutes, you have roughly 30–35 seconds per question. If you are stuck:

1. Make your best guess (there is no negative marking!).
2. Mark the question lightly so you can come back to it.
3. Move on to the next question.

It is much better to answer 75 questions and guess 5 than to answer 60 questions perfectly and run out of time.

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Rule 3: Answer EVERY Question

Since there is no negative marking, you should never leave a question blank. Even if you have no idea, pick an option. You have a 1-in-4 (25%) chance of being right just by guessing!

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Rule 4: Use the Process of Elimination

Even if you are not sure of the answer, you can often eliminate one or two wrong options:

Example: What is a synonym of "rapid"?

A) slow B) quick C) heavy D) bright

• A) slow is the opposite — eliminate it.
• C) heavy and D) bright have nothing to do with speed — eliminate them.
• Answer: B) quick — even if you were not sure, eliminating the others leads you to the right answer.

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Rule 5: Fill In the Answer Sheet Correctly

If your exam uses a separate answer sheet:

• Make sure you fill in the correct row for each question.
• Fill in the circle/bubble completely — do not just put a tick or dot.
• If you change your answer, erase it fully — the scanner cannot read smudged answers.
• Check every 5–10 questions that your answer sheet matches the question number.

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Time Management Plan

Here is a suggested plan for a 50-minute exam with 80 questions:

Phase	Time	What to do
First pass	0–40 min	Work through all questions. Answer what you can.
Flag difficult	During pass	Lightly mark questions you are unsure about.
Second pass	40–48 min	Return to flagged questions. Try again.
Final check	48–50 min	Check answer sheet. Make sure nothing is blank.

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Question Type Strategies

Quick-Answer Questions (aim for under 20 seconds)

These are questions where you either know it or you do not:

• Synonyms and antonyms
• Odd one out (if the link is obvious)
• Simple hidden words

Strategy: Trust your instinct. If the answer jumps out at you, go with it.

Medium Questions (aim for 30–40 seconds)

These need a bit of working out:

• Word analogies
• Cloze (sentence completion)
• Compound words
• Simple letter sequences

Strategy: Follow your learned method step by step. Do not overthink.

Harder Questions (allow up to 60 seconds)

These require more thought:

• Complex letter/number codes
• Logic and deduction problems
• Word–number puzzles with unusual rules

Strategy: If you cannot crack it in 60 seconds, make your best guess and move on. Come back if you have time.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid