Time Management Tips for Logical Reasoning in NIFT 2026 Exam

Logical Reasoning in NIFT 2026 is not just about writing the right answer. It wants you to showcase your decision-making abilities at the quickest, alongside the level of accuracy. This specifically comes into action for the Analytical and Logical Ability section. You do not need to just understand the concepts like sequences and puzzles. These are needed, but also how well you execute under strict time constraints. It has come to light that many students lose track of time as they fail to allocate time limits to specific questions. Somehow, leading to spending more time than required on a few tricky questions. This happens even when they are well aware of concepts. Therefore, the role of Time Management for the logical reasoning section, commonly called the NIFT General Ability Test (GAT), is extremely crucial. Time management can help you turn average reasoning skills into a plus for scoring well.

Why Time Management Matters in NIFT Logical Reasoning

Time is a constraint that one has to be vigilant of in almost all exams, and so it is here in the GAT exam. You only have 120 minutes in most courses, and the overall number of questions is around 100–120 objective-type questions. The Logical/Analytical Reasoning part may take more time than expected, so one has to be careful.

Within this time frame, the Analytical & Logical Ability section takes a good share. For B.Des, it usually has around 15 questions, and for M.Des, it may include slightly more. Since the paper also includes Quantitative, English comprehension, and general knowledge, you barely get more than a minute or two per logical question on average. Some questions can be solved within 20 seconds, while puzzles or data-based questions may take more than a minute. This is why practicing proper time splits is important. Weekly mock sessions and past-year papers help build speed, structured thinking and calmness. It enables better accuracy throughout the GAT paper.

Section-Wise Time Allocation Strategy

While attempting the Logical Reasoning part in the GAT exam, you need to be very clear about how much time each type of question usually takes. Since the section itself does not give you more than a minute or two per question, having a rough idea of time splits helps you maintain pace and avoid getting stuck on one long question. Below is the kind of time you should ideally keep in mind:

Keeping these time frames in mind while practicing will help you stay calm, avoid last-minute stress, and move smoothly across the entire section during the exam.

Expert Time Management Techniques for NIFT Logical Reasoning

You need a time management technique if you aim to score well in the exam, as reasoning sections require you to be more efficient with your time management skills. These questions specifically demand both speed and logical understanding within proficient time limits. When you are aware of your time, knowing how much time to allocate to each question, you reduce careless mistakes, making your attempts more successful, which helps you achieve the maximum score. Furthermore, by practicing well and learning these time management skills, you will be able to do the maximum number of questions and confidently solve them. To improve your speed and accuracy, the following precise strategies are recommended:

• Divide your reasoning questions into categories: easy, moderate, and tough. You can attempt them in an order that aligns with your comfort and practice level to help build momentum.

• Limit yourself to about 45 seconds per question. This limit can be exceeded only if the question is a puzzle that requires more time and is of high value.

• Avoid unnecessary time loss by quickly marking questions you are doubtful about and moving on. This strategy helps ensure proper time management and makes it easier to secure marks for questions you can take up easily or at a moderate level.

• Ensure you check the visuals first and then move to the logic next. Draw diagrams when needed for spatial or relationship-based questions, but avoid making unnecessary sketches.

• Create an environment that assimilates the actual exam to practice and improve your time awareness.

• Track your progress by attempting at least 12 questions every 10 minutes during your practical sessions, such as mock tests.

• If you see a question and believe or feel that it doesn't appear solvable within your time limit, move forward; do not get emotionally stuck.

• Keep two or three easy questions for the end to finish the section with confidence.

Common Time-Wasting Mistakes Aspirants Make

Many times, you’re not actually slow in Logical Reasoning; it’s just a few small habits that quietly take away your time without you noticing. Once you become aware of them, the whole section starts feeling lighter and more manageable. Some of these habits are:

• Overthinking simple logic questions that barely need a few seconds. Students sometimes treat the easiest ones like puzzles, and that extra thinking time slowly eats into the rest of the paper.
• Starting long puzzles or multi-step questions too early. When you begin the section with something heavy, it breaks your speed and confidence right at the start, which affects everything that follows.
• Rewriting the whole data again when the question only needs a few key points. This repetition looks harmless, but in a timed paper it adds up quickly.
• Not reviewing mock tests properly. If you don’t check where you always slip, the same mistakes keep repeating in the exam too.
• Practicing without a timer and assuming you’re fast. Real speed only shows up when you practice with pressure, not comfort.
• Becoming aware of these patterns helps you manage your time better and handle the section with more clarity and calmness.

8-Week Practice Plan for Speed & Accuracy

This or any 8-week plan you would maintain would go well when you are not forcing yourself but practicing speed enhancement one day at a time. Think of it like stamina training. Show up, and your timing will improve.

• Weeks 1–2: Figure out which reasoning topics slow you down the most. Everyone has at least two or three such areas. So start by clearing the basics and doing small, untimed practicals just to understand the logic properly. Once the concepts feel clearer, then shift to short-term sets.

• Weeks 3–5: Now bring in strict timers. Take 25–30 minute quizzes every day with mixed reasoning questions. This helps you learn how to switch from one type of logic to another without breaking your flow. Keep a small notebook where you note down patterns you keep forgetting.

• Weeks 6–8: Start full-length GAT mocks. Track how your time is getting split between quick questions and longer puzzles. Each week, try to reduce your average time slightly. Even 3–5 seconds per question makes a big difference by the end. Review your mistakes properly because that’s where most speed improvement comes from.

Follow this weekly plan to improve your analytical skills while maintaining calm in between the chaos and avoiding stagnancy or time waste because of one question. You must have consistency for this.

You can do well in logical reasoning. The goal is not to solve everything, but to solve with strategy and with proper time management. Your time is like a diamond here; it holds the most value in the exam. The better you manage it, the higher you will be able to score in the GAT exam. So practice time, practice logical reasoning, and every second saved in Logical Reasoning is a step closer to your NIFT dream.

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