How to Write Faster in Exams

Timing is crucial in any exam. The amount of time you have will dictate how much you can write for each question. But the key to success isn’t necessarily how fast you can write, it’s how efficiently you can write.

Regardless of the topic, question type or qualification, a good exam answer is focused, clear and hits all of the assessment objectives. Filling page after page and asking the invigilator for more paper does not guarantee success. The best performing students do not waste a minute or a single line on their exam paper and write only about what will get them marks.

Key Takeaways

• Efficiency beats speed: Focus on writing concise, well-structured answers that meet the assessment objectives without rambling.

• Work on your writing stamina: Handwriting for long periods takes practice. Build up your stamina before exam season starts.

• Plan before you write: A short plan might take you 30 seconds but will help you stay on track and could end up saving you loads of time.

• Master your timing: Allocate the most time to answering questions that have the highest marks. Spending 30 minutes on a 4 mark question and just 10 minutes on one worth 20 marks is not a good idea.

Is Writing Fast in Exams Really Important?

Writing quickly definitely gives you an advantage over writing slowly. But it only matters if what you’re writing can hit the mark scheme’s targets and get you marks. Long, rambling answers that go off-topic might fill exam scripts, but they won’t earn top grades.

What examiners are really looking for is:

• Clear communication

• Focused arguments or analysis

• Evidence that meets assessment objectives

So, instead of trying to write faster, train yourself to write smarter:

• Prioritise points that earn marks.

• Structure answers clearly.

• Avoid unnecessary repetition or filler language.

What Actually Slows Students Down in Exams?

Here are some common causes of losing or wasting precious exam time:

• Overthinking every sentence and searching for “perfect” words.

• A lack of a clear plan before writing an extended answer.

• Trying to sound overly sophisticated instead of clear.

• Spending too long on low-mark questions.

• Bad clock management.

Build Writing Stamina Before Exam Day

The physical effort required to write for two or three hours straight is an undeniable challenge. Almost all GCSE and A Level exams require handwritten answers, and you will be required to sit multiple exams in a single day. 

Just like you would for a sporting event, you will need to prepare your hands for the physical demands of exam season.

How to Build Stamina

• Start small: Begin with 10–15 minute writing drills, maybe tackling individual exam questions, then build up to full papers.

• Use past papers: Recreate exam conditions to develop both endurance and accuracy. Past A level papers can be found here and past GCSE papers are here.

• Focus on comfort: Maintain good posture, rest your wrist, and hold your pen between your thumb, index, and middle finger.

• Use the right tools: The impact of a good pen should not be underestimated! A smooth ballpoint pen with good ink flow means you will not have to press hard onto the paper and can save you unnecessary pain.

• Practice regularly: Building writing stamina takes weeks, not days. Incorporate extended writing sessions into your revision schedule.

Improve Your Handwriting Speed and Technique

If the person marking your exam paper cannot make up what you have written, you are not going to get the marks you deserve, regardless of how good your answers are. Remember, the person marking your exam is probably marking hundreds of papers that day and thousands of questions in total. It makes sense to make things as easy as possible for them.

Small adjustments can make a big difference:

• Letter formation: Write slightly larger, rounded letters for smoother movement.

• Grip and pressure: Avoid squeezing the pen too tightly, as it causes cramps when doing it for extended periods.

• Paper angle: Tilt your page slightly to match your natural writing direction.

• Spacing: Keep letters evenly spaced to stay legible at speed.

If your handwriting is consistently hard to read, it might be worth speaking to your teacher about exam access arrangements.

Time Management Strategies for Writing Faster

Running out of time is one of the most common exam issues. What makes this problem even worse is that the questions that are worth the highest marks are usually at the end of the paper. Remember, you almost always have less time than you think, so make sure your time management is spot on.

How to Set a Per-Question Time Limit

• Look at the total marks for the paper and divide your total time by the number of marks.

  • Example: In a 2-hour exam (120 minutes) worth 100 marks → 1.2 minutes per mark.

  • You can then multiply that by the number of marks available for each question

• A 6-mark question = ~7 minutes.

• A 12-mark question = ~14 minutes.

• A 20-mark essay = ~24 minutes.

Make sure to allocate 5 minutes at the beginning to read through the questions and plan, and 5 minutes at the end to check and complete any unfinished answers.

How to Avoid Overwriting or Repeating Yourself

• Stick to your plan — each paragraph should make one main point. For example; 

  • An introduction that informs the examiner that you understand what is being asked.

  • A paragraph that makes the main point or supports a viewpoint put forward in the question.

  • A paragraph that counters that viewpoint.

  • A conclusion where you reach a judgement and explain your thinking

• Remember, once you’ve made a point and explained it with evidence, don’t make the mistake of making the same point again. It will not be rewarded. 

• Don’t rewrite the question in your answer or rephrase the same idea multiple times.

Planning Tips

Before you start writing, take a few seconds to plan:

1. Underline key words in the question.

2. Jot 2–4 bullet points on the exam paper itself. These could just be a word or two that sum up your main arguments or examples.

3. Make sure you stick to the plan.

This micro-plan helps you stay focused, avoid rambling, and write efficiently.

Write More Efficiently, Not More Words

Examiners reward clarity and control, not length and fancy language.
Structure every paragraph for maximum impact:

Make your point → Evidence/example → Explanation → Link to question

For example, if you were asked in a history exam why Hitler did so well in the elections in the early 1930s, a good paragraph might look like this: 

One reason for Hitler’s popularity was the Treaty of Versailles. Many Germans felt angry and humiliated by the Treaty. This was because it stripped them of land and forced Germany to hand over millions of pounds in reparations. Hitler’s promise to rip up the Treaty was one of the main reasons why so many Germans voted for him. 

Short, focused, and full of analysis — no wasted words.

Practical Exam-Day Writing Tips

Use Simple Vocabulary

Choose clear, direct language over fancy words. Your goal is communication, not decoration. On many papers you will receive marks for Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG). There is less chance of making spelling mistakes if you don’t overreach yourself and choose language that you are sure of.

Don’t Chase the Perfect Phrase

If a simpler word works, use it. Time spent searching for the “perfect” synonym is time lost and will not win you any marks.

Use Connectives Intentionally

Words like however, therefore, and in contrast help structure arguments and improve flow.

Maintain Legibility at Speed

Maintain a balance between neatness and speed. If your handwriting becomes too messy, it will cost you marks. Examiners can’t reward what they can’t read.

Common Mistakes That Slow You Down

• Writing too small or cramming words together.

• Crossing out and rewriting entire sentences.

• Overusing long quotations instead of short, precise evidence.

• Spending too long thinking instead of writing.

• Ignoring your plan and going off on tangents.

Avoiding these habits can easily save you 5–10 minutes in every exam.

Should You Apply for Exam Access Arrangements?

If you struggle with handwriting speed, pain, or legibility, you may qualify for extra time or computer use in exams.

Speak to your school or college’s exams officer or SENCo or early. They can arrange an assessment to see if you’re eligible. Just don’t leave it until the exam season starts.

How Save My Exams Can Help You Improve Exam Speed

Being able to write quickly and efficiently starts long before exam day. Save My Exams can help you build your speed, confidence and exam technique by:

• Offering timed past papers to practise under real conditions.

• Providing model answers that show how top students structure responses concisely.

• Giving revision notes that make key content easy to recall quickly.

• Allowing you to create Target Tests to customise your practice

• Receive personalised feedback on exam questions with Smart Mark

With consistent, guided practice, you’ll enter the exam halls with a clear idea of exactly what needs to be written - and what doesn’t need to be written - to get top marks. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I stop my hand hurting during exams?

Stretch your hands and wrists before writing. Use a soft-grip pen that writes smoothly and easily and doesn’t require you to press hard on the paper. Relax your hold and build stamina gradually in practice sessions.

How much should I write for a 6/12/20 mark question?

This varies from subject to subject and paper to paper. It’s a good idea to know the exact requirements of every mark scheme of every paper you are sitting. But this is a good rule of thumb: 

• 6 marks: 1 clear paragraph (around ½ a page).

• 12 marks: 2–3 well-developed paragraphs.

• 20 marks: 3–4 paragraphs plus a short conclusion.
  
  Focus on covering points clearly, not filling pages.

What should I do if I always run out of time in exams?

Do more timed past papers, plan faster, and practise stopping yourself when time is up — even if you haven’t finished. You’ll learn to prioritise essential points.

Some students like to complete exam papers in reverse order. That way, the questions that carry the highest marks are always completed and, if they do run out of time, it is the 4 or 6 mark questions that are left unattempted rather than the 16 or 20 mark questions. 

Final Thoughts

Exams are not speed writing competitions. They are as much about writing smarter as they are about writing faster. The key to success lies in planning, technique, and preparation.

With regular practice, efficient planning, and a focus on what earns marks, your writing speed and confidence will both improve. Remember, every small improvement in timing and clarity can make the difference between one grade and the next.