The calculator uses available solving time and divides it by total questions.
Seconds per question = Available seconds ÷ Questions
If you enable passage planning, it allocates a fixed reading/setup time per passage, then spreads the remaining seconds across questions inside that passage.
- Pick a section preset or choose Custom.
- Enter your time, question count, breaks, and buffer.
- Set checkpoint step to match your monitoring style.
- Optional: Add passages and reading/setup seconds.
- Press Calculate to see pace and checkpoints instantly.
- Download CSV or PDF to track practice sessions.
These examples show how buffer time changes your per-question target.
| Scenario | Total (min) | Questions | Break (min) | Buffer (min) | Seconds/question | mm:ss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chem/Phys (typical) | 95 | 59 | 0 | 5 | 91.5 | 1:32 |
| CARS (typical) | 90 | 53 | 0 | 5 | 96.2 | 1:36 |
| Bio/Biochem (typical) | 95 | 59 | 0 | 7 | 89.5 | 1:29 |
Benchmark pacing by section length
A common practice block is 95 minutes for 59 questions. With a 5‑minute buffer and no pauses, available time is 90 minutes, which targets about 91 seconds per question. For a 90‑minute, 53‑question set with the same buffer, the target is about 96 seconds per question. If your study block includes interruptions, enter break minutes so the target reflects true working time.
Treat buffer minutes as a scoring lever
Buffer time is not “free”; it tightens your per‑question budget. In the 95‑minute/59‑question example, increasing buffer from 5 to 8 minutes lowers the target from ~91 seconds to ~88 seconds per question. Keeping buffer small can reduce rushing, but too little buffer leaves no room for flagged items or rereads. Use Balanced, Tight, or Conservative pace modes to test how small buffer shifts affect finish time.
Use checkpoints to avoid constant clock watching
Instead of checking time every question, monitor progress every 10 questions or at natural passage breaks. If your target is 91 seconds, you should finish 10 questions in about 15:10 and 20 questions in about 30:20. The checkpoint table turns pacing into a quick “ahead/on/behind” check that is easy to follow under pressure. Many students round to the nearest 5 seconds so mental math stays simple.
Model passages to balance reading and answering
When you enter passage count, the calculator estimates a per‑passage budget from the same available solving time. Example: 90 available minutes across 10 passages gives 540 seconds per passage. If you reserve 20 seconds for setup, 520 seconds remain for questions. With ~5.9 questions per passage, that’s about 88 seconds of answering time per question within the passage, which helps you decide when to move on.
Export results to build a feedback loop
Download the CSV or PDF after each timed set and record your achieved pace and accuracy. Compare sessions by adjusting only one variable—buffer, reading seconds, checkpoint step, or rounding rule—so you can see what improved. Add brief notes on missed topics to guide your next drill. Over several weeks, a small gain such as 3–5 seconds faster per question can translate into a comfortable end‑of‑section review window.
1) What does “time per question” represent?
It is your target average solving time after subtracting break minutes and buffer minutes from total time. It guides pacing, not perfection—some questions will take longer, and others should be answered faster.
2) How should I choose buffer minutes?
Start with 4–7 minutes for a 90–95 minute section. Increase buffer if you flag many questions, or decrease it if you routinely finish late. Buffer should feel protective, not restrictive.
3) Why use checkpoints instead of timing every question?
Checkpoints reduce distraction and help you recover quickly if you fall behind. A quick glance every 10 questions provides enough feedback to adjust speed without breaking focus on passages and reasoning.
4) When should I enter passages and reading seconds?
Use them for passage-based practice to estimate a per‑passage budget. Enter a realistic setup time you can repeat consistently. If the calculated question time becomes very small, lower reading seconds or trim buffer.
5) What rounding rule should I pick?
Nearest 5 seconds is popular because it is easy to remember and multiply. If you want maximum precision for research-style tracking, choose nearest 1 second or no rounding.
6) Can I share results with a tutor or study group?
Yes. Run a calculation, then download CSV for spreadsheets or PDF for quick sharing. Include the preset, buffer, and checkpoint step so others can interpret your pacing targets accurately.
- Use checkpoints rather than checking time every question.
- Protect accuracy: fast guessing beats slow uncertainty.
- Keep buffer realistic; too large forces rushing early.
- Practice your reading/setup seconds until it’s automatic.