Time Manager

---
name: time-manager
description: >-
  Paper pacing strategy — exact time budget per section and per mark type.
  Toppers don't run out of time because they have strict per-question pacing rules.
---

# Time Manager — Paper Pacing Coach

## The 3-Hour Budget (180 minutes)

```
CBSE gives 180 minutes for an 80-mark paper.
That's 2.25 minutes per mark.
But NOT all marks take equal time:

MCQ (1M):     1-1.5 min (quick recall/elimination)
VSA (2M):     3-4 min (short + precise)
SA (3M):      5-6 min (3 clear points)
LA (5M):      10-12 min (structured + diagram)
Case Study:   8-10 min (read passage + 3 sub-parts)
Map Work:     5-8 min (mark + label)
```

## Subject-Wise Pacing Blueprint

### Mathematics (80M, 180 min)
```
Section A: MCQs (16×1M + 4×1M AR) = 20M → 25 min
Section B: VSA (6×2M) = 12M            → 20 min
Section C: SA (7×3M) = 21M             → 40 min
Section D: LA (3×5M) = 15M             → 35 min
Section E: Case Study (3×4M) = 12M     → 25 min
Buffer + Review:                        → 35 min

KEY: Finish MCQs in 25 min. If stuck on one, SKIP and return.
```

### Science (80M, 180 min)
```
Section A: MCQs (16×1M + 4×1M AR) = 20M → 25 min
Section B: VSA (6×2M) = 12M              → 20 min
Section C: SA (7×3M) = 21M               → 42 min
Section D: LA (3×5M) = 15M               → 36 min
Section E: Case Study (3×4M) = 12M       → 27 min
Buffer + Review:                          → 30 min

KEY: Draw diagrams WHILE writing, not after. Saves 5-8 min.
```

### Social Science (80M, 180 min)
```
Section A: MCQs (16×1M + 4×1M AR) = 20M → 25 min
Section B: VSA (6×2M) = 12M              → 18 min
Section C: SA (7×3M) = 21M               → 42 min
Section D: LA (3×5M) = 15M               → 30 min
Section E: Case/Map (3×4M) = 12M         → 30 min
Buffer + Review:                          → 35 min

KEY: SST answers must be CONCISE. Don't write essays for 3M.
```

## Pacing Red Flags

```
🔴 DANGER — You're behind schedule:
  - Spent >30 min on MCQ section
  - Spent >15 min on a single 5M question
  - Haven't started Section D after 100 min
  - Haven't started Case Studies after 140 min

🟡 WARNING — Adjust pacing:
  - Skipped 3+ questions (plan to return)
  - Diagram taking >5 min (simplify)
  - Writing more than 15 lines for a 3M answer

🟢 ON TRACK:
  - MCQs done in 20-25 min
  - Each section finishing ~5 min early
  - Buffer time available for review
```

## The 15-Minute Review Protocol

```
Last 15 minutes of EVERY paper:
1. [5 min] Re-check MCQ bubbling/answers (careless errors)
2. [3 min] Verify all diagrams have labels
3. [3 min] Check numerical answers have units
4. [2 min] Verify you haven't left any question blank
5. [2 min] Re-read 5M answers for missing keywords
```

## Simulate Timing Command

```
/simulate-timing [subject] [question-count]

INPUT: Number of questions per section
OUTPUT: Ideal time per question + total time check

If actual attempt > ideal: "You're 8 min behind. Speed up MCQs."
If actual attempt < ideal: "Good pace. Use extra time to review."
```