Effective time management in a coding competition involves reading all the problems first, solving easy ones quickly, and not spending too much time on one problem. Track time and make adjustments as needed.

Time management is crucial for success in coding competitions. The first step is to quickly read through all the problems at the beginning of the contest to get an idea of the difficulty level and topics covered. Prioritize solving the easiest problems first, as they will give you quick points and boost your confidence. For harder problems, allocate a specific amount of time to work on them. If you're stuck on a problem after your allotted time, it’s better to move on to another problem and return to it later, rather than getting bogged down. Keep an eye on the clock and make sure to leave enough time at the end to test your code thoroughly. If there are multiple problems with similar difficulty levels, solve the ones you're more familiar with first to save time. It's also important to practice good typing habits and know your coding environment well to avoid wasting time on minor issues like syntax errors or navigating the editor. Finally, remember that time management isn't just about speed; it's about knowing when to cut your losses on a tough problem and move on to something more manageable. Practicing mock contests is a great way to improve your pacing and decision-making under time pressure.