Standard exam duration
Every exam paper has a standard length set by your exam board (not just when it's timetabled to start) — that's your starting point before anything else is added.
For candidates and parents
Sitting an exam? Or know someone who is?
A few different things can affect your specific finish time — not just the standard duration your exam board sets for the paper. Here's what to know — and what your finish time might include.
What affects your finish time
Extra time
Access Arrangements add a percentage of extra time to your exam, agreed individually with your Exams Office. For example, 25% extra time added to a 60-minute exam makes it 75 minutes.
Rest breaks
Some candidates have pre-approved rest breaks, agreed with your Exams Office, that pause the clock without affecting total exam time. These can be taken whenever needed — your invigilators time them on the day.
Reading time (IB)
Some IB exams include a separate reading period before writing starts — on top of the normal duration, which is why start times can differ between candidates.
Your invigilators have the specific answer
Every exam room has invigilators who confirm specific times — including any extra time or reading time — before the exam starts. That's always the figure to go by.
Explore for yourself. invigilate.app is the free tool used by invigilators to calculate finish times.
invigilate.app →