Timed Practice Strategy

With 69 questions in 26 minutes, you have approximately 23 seconds per question. This lesson provides a comprehensive strategy for managing time, making rapid decisions, understanding the scoring system, and maximising your band score under exam conditions.

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The Time Budget

Component	Time
Total exam time	26 minutes (1,560 seconds)
Number of questions	69
Average time per question	~22.6 seconds
Time per scenario (typically 2–4 questions)	~45–90 seconds

How 23 Seconds Feels

23 seconds is not a lot. To put it in context:

• You can read a short scenario in about 8–10 seconds
• You can evaluate a single action or consideration in about 3–5 seconds
• You have no time for deliberation on most questions

This means SJT is not a test where you carefully weigh every option. It is a test where you apply trained judgement rapidly. The preparation you do before the exam is what matters most — in the exam itself, you execute.

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The Three-Phase Approach

Phase 1: Read the Scenario (8–10 seconds)