Time Management on Exam Day
Roughly a question a minute, with no real break (technically you can leave, but the clock doesn't stop). Here's how to use every minute. (Confirm the current question count and time limit at comptia.org — they can change with exam versions.)
The Strategy
Minutes 0–5: Skip the PBQs
Performance-based questions appear first. Read them quickly — if you can answer in under 2 minutes, do it. Otherwise, flag and skip. You'll come back.
Minutes 5–70: Multiple choice sprint
Work through the multiple choice at roughly 1 question per minute. Don't agonise — if you're stuck for more than 90 seconds, pick your best guess, flag it, and move on.
Minutes 70–80: Return to flagged questions
Go back to your flagged questions. You'll often find that later questions triggered a memory or clarified a concept. Give each flagged question one more look.
Minutes 80–85: PBQs
Now tackle the performance-based questions you skipped. You've built confidence and context from the multiple choice.
Minutes 85–90: Final scan
Quickly scan for any unanswered questions. Don't change answers unless you have a concrete reason.
What Not to Do
- Don't spend 15 minutes on the first PBQ
- Don't leave questions blank — there's no penalty for guessing
- Don't watch the clock every 30 seconds — check at the quarter marks (25%, 50%, 75%)
- Don't review every single answer — only review flagged ones
Pre-Exam Routine
Arrive 15 minutes early. Use the whiteboard/notepad they give you to dump acronyms and formulas from memory before you start (port numbers, risk formulas, IR phases).