Parkinson's Law: How to Manage Time Effectively in Exams

Introduction

Ever felt like you have too much time for a task, so you delay it until the last minute? Or that a simple task expands to fill the entire time you allocate to it? That's Parkinson's Law in action. This principle, if understood and managed, can be a powerful tool for effective time management, especially during high-pressure situations like exams.

What is Parkinson's Law?

Coined by Cyril Northcote Parkinson, the law states that "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion." In the context of an exam, if you have three hours to answer five questions, you might find yourself spending too much time on the first few questions, leaving you with a frantic rush to finish the rest.

"If you wait until the last minute, it only takes a minute to do." - Anonymous

Applying Parkinson's Law to Exam Time Management

Instead of letting Parkinson's Law work against you, use it to your advantage. Here’s how:

1. Allocate Time Per Question Before You Start

Before writing anything, quickly scan your exam paper. Divide the total time by the number of questions (or marks) to get a rough time limit for each. For example, in a 3-hour (180-minute) exam with 5 equally weighted questions, you have 36 minutes per question. Stick to this schedule rigorously.

2. Create Mini-Deadlines

Treat each question as a separate, timed task. If you've allocated 30 minutes to a question, set a mental alarm. When the time is up, move on. You can always come back later if you have spare time. This creates a sense of urgency and prevents you from over-perfecting one answer at the expense of others.

3. Tackle the Easiest Questions First

Build momentum by answering the questions you're most confident about first. This not only secures easy marks but also boosts your confidence. It also ensures that you don't spend excessive time on difficult questions early on, which can be a major time sink.

4. The 'Just Start' Principle

For daunting questions, the biggest hurdle is often starting. Break the question down into smaller parts and just start writing something, even if it's just a brief outline. This initial step can overcome the mental block and get your thoughts flowing.

Conclusion

By understanding Parkinson's Law, you can transform it from a source of stress into a strategic advantage. By setting artificial time constraints and sticking to them, you can improve your focus, work more efficiently, and ensure you complete your exam to the best of your ability. At Line Academy, we encourage students to practice these techniques in mock exams to build the discipline needed for success.