The countdown to the 2026 AISSEE (All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination) and RMS (Rashtriya Military School) Common Entrance Test has begun. If you are an aspirant, you probably already know that these exams aren't just a test of your knowledge — they are a test of your speed and accuracy.
Many students know the answers but fail to qualify simply because they couldn’t finish the paper on time. With 125 to 150 questions to solve in a limited window, every second counts.
Here are the top strategies to help you master time management and finish your 2026 exam with time to spare!
1. The "Three-Pass" Strategy
Don't try to solve the paper linearly from Question 1 to 150. Instead, use the three-pass method:
- Pass 1 (The Easy Hits): Go through the entire paper and solve questions you can answer in less than 30 seconds (mostly GK, Vocabulary, and simple Logic).
- Pass 2 (The Thinkers): Go back and tackle questions that require calculations or a bit of thought (Maths and Intelligence).
- Pass 3 (The Tough Ones): Use the remaining time for the difficult questions you skipped.
Why it works: This ensures you don’t miss out on "easy marks" because you were stuck on a hard question earlier in the exam.
2. Master the Art of "Mental Math"
In AISSEE and RMS, Mathematics carries the highest weightage. If you write down every single step of a multiplication or division, you will run out of time.
- Memorise: Tables up to 25, Squares up to 30, and Cubes up to 15.
- Learn Vedic Math Shortcuts: Quick tricks for percentages, square roots, and long additions can save you 10–15 minutes overall.
3. Don’t Leave the OMR Sheet for the End
A common mistake students make is solving the whole paper and then darkening the OMR circles in the last 10 minutes. This often leads to panic, misaligned bubbles, and incomplete papers.
The Pro Tip: Bubble your answers section-wise . Once you finish the English section, fill those bubbles. Then move to the next. Never wait until the final bell!
4. Read the Question Carefully (But Quickly!)
Speed is useless if you get the answer wrong. Look out for "trap" words in the questions, like:
- "Which of the following is NOT ..."
- "Select the INCORRECT statement..."
- "All of the following EXCEPT ..."
Missing these small words is the fastest way to lose marks.
5. Use the "Elimination Method"
Sometimes, you don’t need to solve a whole Math problem to find the answer.
- Look at the options first. Often, three options are logically impossible (e.g., an odd number multiplied by an even number must be even).
- By eliminating the wrong answers, you can find the right one much faster than solving the entire equation.
6. Set a "Sectional Timer"
During your practice sessions at home, don't just time the whole 2.5 hours. Set a limit for each section:
- GK: 15-20 minutes
- Language: 20-25 minutes
- Intelligence: 30-35 minutes
- Mathematics: 50-60 minutes
Knowing exactly how much time you have for each subject prevents you from over-investing time in one area.
7. Reverse Engineering for Comprehension
In the English/Hindi section, read the questions first and then read the passage. This way, your brain is already "hunting" for specific answers while you read, rather than reading the whole story and then going back to find the details.
8. The "No Negative Marking" Advantage
As of the current pattern, AISSEE and RMS do not have negative marking.
The Strategy: Never leave a question blank. If you have 2 minutes left and 10 questions remaining, make your best guess. Use the "B" or "C" rule (statistically, these are frequently the correct options in multiple-choice exams) if you are completely clueless.
Final Thought: Practice Makes Permanent
Focus on your speed. The more you work on your speed, the stronger it gets. Start solving the previous year's question papers and mock tests under strict exam conditions.
The students who get into Sainik and Military schools in 2026 won't necessarily be the "smartest"—they will be the ones who manage their 150 minutes most effectively.
Are you ready to beat the clock? Start practising today!
Follow our YouTube channel for more tips on AISSEE 2026 preparation, syllabus updates, and school-wise cut-offs!
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