Hey Gamsters, today we’re talking about doing things in bulk, like buying 200 toothbrushes when you go to Costco.

(Actually no, don’t do that.)

(Large bottles of Nando’s sauces? Ahh, well that’s different.)

Why Do Things In Bulk?

You know how, if you’re going to the ATM, you would rather cash out $200 in one go, rather than going back every few days to cash out $20?

That’s because it takes time to:

• Head to the ATM,
• Wait in line,
• Struggle to remember your password,
• Operate the machine,
• Run your fingers sensually across the tips of the notes (“This is My money – it belongs to Me!”)
• Put away the cash,
• Run away from robbers and debtors,
• Hide until the bad men go away,
• Go home.

If each ATM transaction takes you 20min, getting $200 in one go takes you 20min.

And getting $200 through getting $20s, would take you 10 times as long.

That’s more than 3hrs. Who wants to spend 3hrs every few weeks getting money out?

How to Apply Bulk Action in Exams

Similarly, when you’re doing your exam, you should do similar actions in bulk, to cut down on time and effort.

Let me show you the difference (using Section 3 as an example):

NOT Doing Things In Bulk
(Answering Questions + Transferring Answers, done together)

• [Answer Booklet] Work out answer to one question.
  • Variable, not counted.
• Find MCQ sheet.
  • 1 sec.
• [MCQ Sheet] Find the corresponding question.
  • 1 sec.
• [MCQ Sheet] Mark answer.
  • 1 sec.
• Find Answer Booklet.
  • 1 sec.
• Find next question.
  • 1 sec.
  • +1 sec (if you need to flip a page).
    • *You’ll need to flip ~20 pages in section 3.
    • i.e. 20 sec is a lump sum.
• Repeat…
  • Total time filling in answer = 5 sec per answer.
  • For Section 3: (110Q x 5 sec) + 20 sec* = 570 sec = 9.5 mins.

Total time answering questions + transferring answers…

= 9.5min

Doing Things In Bulk
(Answering Questions + Transferring Answers, done separately)

• Answering Questions.
  • [Answer Booklet] Work out answer to one question.
    • Variable, not counted.
  • [Answer Booklet] Circle answer.
    • 0.5 sec (your pencil’s already at the answer).
  • Find next question.
    • 0 sec (your eyes move fast).
    • +1 sec (if you need to flip a page).
  • Repeat until all Qs done.
    • (110Q x 0.5 sec) + 20 sec* = 75 sec.
• Transferring Answers.
  • Memorise 3 answers (e.g. “B, B, A”).
    • 2 sec.
  • Find MCQ sheet.
    • 1 sec.
  • Transfer the 3 answers.
    • 2 sec.
  • Find Answer Booklet + Next Question.
    • 1 sec.
      • You can keep 1 hand on the Question Booklet (and your finger on the current question), and 1 hand on the MCQ Sheet (and your pencil on MCQ box).
      • This lets you know instantly where to look for the next question, when you’re looking back and forth.
      • You can’t do this when answering questions and transferring answers together, because you need your pencil on both the Question Booklet (to do working out) and the Answer Sheet (to mark the answer).
        • That means your eyes need to scan the page for the next question every time — the time and energy adds up.
    • +1 sec (if you need to flip a page).
  • Repeat.
    • That’s 6 sec for 3 answers = 2 sec per answer.
    • (110Q x 2) + 20* = 240 sec.
  • Total.
    • 240 + 75 = 315 sec = ~5.5 min.

Big Bloody Deal, Will

On the surface, this may look like an option to *consider* implementing, and you’ve probably started combing through my above estimates to work out whether or not this in-bulk method is worth using.

And you’re free to do so – but know that you would be completely missing the point.

The point is this isn’t a decision at all (sorry, Pillar of Autonomy): I’m not saying that you should consider doing things in bulk – I’m saying just do it .

Put it this way: If your debit or credit card suddenly could use Paywave or PayPass (contactless payment technology of Visa and MasterCard, respectively), would you research the advantages and disadvantages of using it/not using it, then come to a logical and well-informed decision?

No! You’d be like “Oh it’s heaps faster, and I don’t have to enter or remember my PIN? Ok I’ll just do that then~”

That’s how doing things in bulk works: It doesn’t take any training to put it into action (other than remembering to do it), and it doesn’t take any extra time or effort to do it (in fact, quite the opposite – see below).

Compared to not bulking (9.5 min), doing things in bulk means:

• 4 extra minutes
  • Or more, if you get really efficient at it, like memorising more than 3 answers at a time, when transcribing from Question Booklet to MCQ Sheet.
• More energy
  • You’re not physically moving back and forth as much.
• More focus
  • Your eyes do a lot less repetitive scanning.

So, Really Not a Single Downside to Doing Things in Bulk?

The only potential “downside” is, if you run out of time, you won’t get any points because all your answers won’t be marked on the MCQ sheet.

So, don’t run out of time – read the time management page, and the exam progress schedule page.

Just Do It

Seriously, would you whinge about 4 extra minutes of exam time?

Ask The Readers

How do you save time by doing things in bulk?