Choosing when to schedule examinations plays a bigger role than many assume. Research and educator opinion suggest that morning times generally between 8 AM to 11 AM are most favourable for test performance. During these hours, students tend to be well-rested, alert, and capable of better concentration. As the day advances, fatigue, distractions, and accumulated stress may reduce mental sharpness.

Afternoon or late-day exams can clash with natural dips in circadian rhythms, leading to reduced memory recall, slower problem solving and weaker performance—especially for students who are not “night owls.” That said, individual variation matters: some people are more effective later in the day, depending on their personal schedule, sleep habits and peak focus times.

Also, the nature of the exam (objective vs descriptive, time duration, level of stress) can shift what “best time” means. For education systems and exam boards, this argues for scheduling critical exams in the morning when possible. For students, it means practising under morning conditions, optimizing sleep, and aligning preparation to match the likely exam time.