r/crossword • u/Electronic_Tank_2945 • 3d ago

Beginner and want to decrease time

Hey guys, just wanted to come on here to see if there are on recommendations for a newbie like me. My time today was 27 minutes and I just am a bit disappointed. I’m 20 and literally just started getting into crosswords, so I know it’ll take some time before I start getting my times down.

Besides just doing more crosswords do yall have anything specific that you do to decrease solve time? Also how much do you think it’s just an IQ filter—I’m curious as to the consensus on that is.

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u/Cazique__ 3d ago

Do more puzzles, and generally read and learn about lots of different things. That's pretty much it.

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u/Cazique__ 3d ago

Oh, and any time you don't finish a puzzle, (1) that's ok; (2) leave it and come back to it another time, which does wonders, and (3) whatever you can't get, look up the right answer and see how it relates to the clue. You've just learned something, either fact base or how a tricky clue works.