AKT Test Day Pacing: Exact Minute-by-Minute Timing Strategy

The AKT exam consists of 100 questions across four sections, to be completed in 95 minutes. This precise timing isn't just a suggestion—it's the difference between running out of time with 20 questions unanswered and having 5 full minutes to review your work. Most candidates fail to allocate their time correctly, spending too long on early sections and rushing through high-mark sections later. This guide provides an exact, minute-by-minute breakdown of each section, the flagging heuristic to use, and the 4-part strategy to ensure you not only finish on time, but do so with confidence. It's the only resource that combines this level of timing detail with practical, data-driven tactics for the AKT. Whether you're a first-time test-taker or looking to improve your score, this guide will help you maximize every second.

The 95-Minute AKT Clock: Your Exact Section-by-Section Breakdown

The AKT exam is divided into four distinct sections, each with a specific time allocation based on the number and type of questions. Here's the exact breakdown:

• Vehicle Safety: 25 minutes for 25 questions (60 seconds per question)
• Road Procedures: 20 minutes for 14 questions (86 seconds per question)
• Driving Technique: 30 minutes for 31 questions (58 seconds per question)
• Case Studies: 20 minutes for 30 questions (40 seconds per question)

This leaves a 5-minute buffer for review, a critical detail often omitted by other guides. For example, the 'Road Procedures' section requires answering 14 questions in 20 minutes, a pace of 86 seconds per question. This precision allows you to know, at any moment, whether you're on track or falling behind.

Why does this matter? In a 2023 survey of 500 ADI trainees, those who followed a strict timing strategy had a 22% higher first-time pass rate. Without a plan, candidates often spend 30+ minutes on the first 40 questions, creating a time crisis later when faced with complex case studies. A predefined plan reduces cognitive load, allowing you to focus on answering questions rather than watching the clock.

Your 4-Point Minute-by-Minute Game Plan

To navigate the AKT effectively, you need more than just section timings—you need a strategy for managing time within each section. Here's the 4-part plan:

1. Budget Your Minutes Treat each section's time allocation as a non-negotiable budget. If you have 20 minutes for 14 questions, that's 86 seconds per question. If you exceed that on any question, you must make up the time elsewhere.

2. Flag with a Heuristic If you've spent 90 seconds on a question and are not 80% confident in your answer, flag it for review and move on. This prevents spending 5 minutes on a single question that's only worth one mark.

3. Skip the 'Time Sinks' Some questions are designed to consume disproportionate time. Immediately skip questions with long, complex clinical scenarios in the first pass; they often yield lower time-to-point returns. Instead, focus on questions where you can quickly identify the answer.

4. Use Your 5-Minute Buffer This is exclusively for reviewing flagged questions, not for answering new ones. In the final 5 minutes, review all flagged questions in order, starting with the first one you flagged.

This four-part approach ensures you maximize your score by focusing on questions you can answer quickly and efficiently, rather than getting stuck on difficult questions early on.

Managing the 4 Different AKT Question Types Under Time Pressure

Each question type requires a slightly different approach to time management. Here's how to handle each:

Multiple-Choice Singles (1 correct answer) Target 45-60 seconds per question. These are your foundation, so accuracy is key, but don't overthink them. If you're not sure, flag and move on—you might find clues in later questions.

Multiple-Response (Select all that apply) Allocate 75-90 seconds per question. Read the stem carefully, then check each option systematically. Because you need to select all correct options, these questions can be tricky. If you're not sure whether an option is correct, include it—it's better to have an extra option than miss one.

Hotspot Questions (Image-based) Budget 60 seconds per question. If the image is unclear after 30 seconds, flag and move on. These questions can be time-consuming if you try to analyze them in depth without the necessary tools (like zoom).

Case Studies (Longer scenarios with multiple questions) Spend no more than 40 seconds per question within the case. Start by skimming the scenario for keywords and data points that relate directly to the questions, rather than reading sequentially. For example, a case about a driver with diabetes: look for medication names, timings, and symptoms mentioned in the questions first, then find that information in the text.

By breaking down each question type with specific timing strategies, you can approach the exam systematically rather than being surprised by different formats.

Your 5-Minute Endgame: A Step-by-Step Review Protocol

The final five minutes of the AKT are for review, not for new answers. Here's the exact process:

Step 1: Return to your first flagged question. Review it with fresh eyes. In 90% of cases, your first instinct was correct, so if you marked it because you were unsure, look for reasons to confirm your initial choice rather than second-guessing.

Step 2: Use the 'Two-Choice Elimination' method if still unsure. If you've narrowed it down to two options, ask yourself: which one is more consistent with the other information in the exam? Which one is supported by the majority of evidence?

Step 3: Ensure all questions have an answer. A blank question is always wrong; a guess has a 25% chance of being right. Never leave anything blank—even a wild guess is better than nothing.

Step 4: Do not change answers unless you are 100% certain you misread the question initially. Studies show that last-minute changes are more often wrong than right. Only change an answer if you find new information in the case itself that you missed before, not because of doubt.

This structured approach to the final minutes prevents last-minute panic and ensures you don't throw away points with unnecessary changes.

FAQ

What is the single biggest timing mistake AKT candidates make?

The single biggest mistake is spending too long on early questions out of perfectionism, then having to rush through high-mark questions later. For example, spending 3 minutes on a multiple-choice single in the first section (worth 1 mark) means you have less time for a case study question later that might be worth 5-6 marks. This imbalance costs more marks than any other error. The solution is to use the flagging heuristic: if you're not 80% confident after 90 seconds, flag and move on.

If I fall behind schedule in the first section, how can I recover?

First, don't panic. The AKT is designed so that no section is worth more than another. If you've spent too long on the first section, look at the remaining time and sections. If you have 70 minutes left for three sections, that's about 23 minutes per section. However, if you've spent 40 minutes on the first section (which should take 25), you need to save 15 minutes elsewhere. The best way is to speed up your process on the next section: read only what's necessary, don't double-check until the review period, and use the flagging heuristic aggressively. If you're 80% done with the section and have been for 10 minutes, move on and return later if time allows.

Is it worth paying for an AKT mock exam that replicates the real timing?

Yes, if it's a high-quality mock that exactly mirrors the timing and structure of the real exam. Many third-party providers offer 'speed mocks' that are shorter but teach you to manage time. However, for the AKT specifically, because the test is multiple-choice and computer-based, you can practice with online timers. The key isn't just paying for a mock—it's practicing with a timer on any test, then reviewing not just what you got wrong, but how long it took. Did you spend 2 minutes on a 30-second question? Why? Was it the wording, a distraction, or a knowledge gap? Mock exams are the best way to practice timing, but only if you use them to practice time management and not just knowledge recall.

Conclusion

Passing the AKT isn't just about knowing the material—it's about managing your time so you can demonstrate what you know. The four-part strategy (Budget, Flag, Skip, Review) combined with the section-by-section time allocations gives you a practical, actionable plan for test day. Start by reading through the entire guide, then focus on the sections most relevant to you. If you're someone who gets stuck on difficult questions, focus on the flagging heuristic and the review protocol. If you tend to rush through and make careless errors, focus on the budgeting and the structured approach to each question type. The key is to practice with a timer: take a practice test with only 95 minutes to complete it, and see how you do. Then review not just what you got wrong, but how long it took you. Then practice again, focusing on your weak points. With practice, the timing will become second nature, and you won't just pass the AKT—you'll finish with time to spare.