Grade: Grade 5 Subject: SAT/ACT Skills Unit: Time Management SAT: ProblemSolving+DataAnalysis ACT: Math

Pacing Practice

Learn

What is Pacing?

Pacing means matching your speed to the time available. On a timed test, you need to work fast enough to finish all questions, but slow enough to get answers right.

Think of it like running a race: if you sprint too fast at the start, you might run out of energy before the finish line. If you go too slow, you might not finish in time!

  • ⏱
    Calculate time per question - Divide total time by number of questions to know your target pace.
  • 💪
    Build stamina through practice - Start with short timed sets and gradually increase length.
  • 🎯
    Simulate test conditions - Practice in a quiet space with the same time limits as the real test.
  • 👀
    Check the clock strategically - Look at the time every 10-15 questions, not after every question.

The Pacing Formula

Total Minutes ÷ Number of Questions = Minutes per Question

Example: 60 minutes / 40 questions = 1.5 minutes per question

Math Section

60 min
40 questions
1.5 min each

Reading Section

45 min
30 questions
1.5 min each

Writing Section

35 min
44 questions
~48 sec each

Set Checkpoints to Stay on Track

For a 60-minute section with 40 questions:

Start
Q1
15 min
Q10
30 min
Q20
45 min
Q30
60 min
Q40
At 15 minutes
You should be on Question 10
At 30 minutes
You should be on Question 20
At 45 minutes
You should be on Question 30
Pro Tip: If you check the clock and you're behind, don't panic! Speed up slightly on easier questions and use the "strategic skipping" technique on hard ones.

Build Your Test-Taking Stamina

Follow this 4-week plan to build up your endurance:

10 questions
🚫 No timer - focus on accuracy
10 questions
⏱ 15 minutes - introduce timing
20 questions
⏱ 30 minutes - half section
Full section
✅ Full time - real test conditions

Examples

📝 Example 1: Calculating Time Per Question

Problem: You have 45 minutes for 30 questions. How much time do you have per question?
1 Write down the formula: Total Time / Number of Questions
2 Plug in the numbers: 45 / 30
3 Calculate: 45 / 30 = 1.5 minutes per question
4 That's 1 minute and 30 seconds for each question!

⏰ Example 2: Finding Your Checkpoint

Problem: You have 40 minutes for 20 questions. After 20 minutes, what question should you be on?
1 Calculate time per question: 40 / 20 = 2 minutes each
2 20 minutes is half the time (20 / 40 = 0.5 = 50%)
3 At half time, you should be at half the questions
4 Half of 20 questions = Question 10

🏃 Example 3: Are You On Pace?

Problem: You have 60 minutes for 40 questions. After 30 minutes, you've completed 18 questions. Are you on pace?
1 At the halfway point (30 min), you should be at question 20
2 You've done 18 questions, target was 20
3 You're 2 questions behind - slightly off pace
4 Strategy: Speed up slightly or skip a hard question to catch up!

Practice

Try these pacing problems on your own. Calculate your answer, then check your work!

Question 1: Calculate Time Per Question

You have 50 minutes to answer 25 questions. How many minutes do you have per question?

minutes per question

Question 2: Find the Checkpoint

You have 60 minutes for 30 questions. After 40 minutes, which question should you be on?

A) Question 15
B) Question 20
C) Question 25
D) Question 30

Question 3: Are You On Pace?

You have 45 minutes for 45 questions. After 15 minutes, you've completed 12 questions. Are you on pace?

A) Yes, you're ahead of pace
B) Yes, you're exactly on pace
C) No, you're 3 questions behind
D) No, you're 5 questions behind

Question 4: Checkpoint Strategy

When should you check the clock during a test?

A) After every single question
B) Only at the very end
C) Every 10-15 questions
D) Never - just work as fast as you can

Check Your Understanding

Play the "Pace Yourself" game to test your knowledge!

Pace Yourself!

Score: 0/6

Loading question...

Game Complete!

Great job practicing your pacing skills!

Final Score: 0/6

Next Steps

📱

Calculate Pace

Time / Questions = Minutes each

🎯

Set Checkpoints

Check every 10-15 questions

💪

Build Stamina

Start small, work up to full tests

🧘

Stay Calm

Adjust pace if behind, don't panic

Congratulations!

You've completed the Time Management unit and all of Grade 5 SAT/ACT Skills! Keep practicing to build your test-taking confidence.

  • Practice calculating time per question with different numbers
  • Time yourself when doing homework to build awareness
  • Use the 4-week stamina plan before your next big test
  • Review the Strategic Skipping lesson to learn what to do when you're behind