Phase 4: Below Timing

Phase 4 is the final stage of the progressive practice programme. You can already write a complete, well-structured essay in 40 minutes. Now you will practise doing it in 35 minutes — building a deliberate buffer for the challenges of exam day.

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Why Practise Below Time?

On the day of the actual LNAT, several factors will conspire to slow you down:

Factor	Effect
Nerves	Anxiety slows decision-making, particularly in the first few minutes
Unfamiliar environment	The test centre, the specific computer, the exact screen layout — all slightly different from practice
Section A fatigue	You arrive at Section B after 95 minutes of intensive reading comprehension
Adrenaline fluctuations	Initial adrenaline can help focus, but the crash can cause a mid-essay slump
Question difficulty	The three questions may be harder or less appealing than your practice questions

If your absolute maximum speed is 40 minutes, any of these factors could push you over. If you can comfortably finish in 35 minutes, you have a 5-minute buffer that absorbs these pressures without affecting your final product.