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.

11 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

38 comments sorted by

View all comments

4

u/Pristine_Nectarine19 3d ago

They aren't trivia or IQ tests. You get better with more practice.

-2

u/tomsing98 3d ago edited 2d ago

They absolutely are trivia tests. They're not necessarily IQ tests, but smarter people will tend to be more well-read, and will tend to know more trivia, especially stuff like classic literature and more obscure words.

Edit: it is wild to me that people think that these aren't trivia tests. Especially in the context of reducing your solve time.

3

u/Pristine_Nectarine19 3d ago

IQ and trivia help but ultimately crossword puzzles are NOT a test of how much knowledge you have. They are word puzzles and you are meant to be able to figure out “trivia” you don’t know through word patterns and and clues.

2

u/tomsing98 3d ago

To some extent, sure, you can figure out some trivia through other means. But you'll figure it out faster if you just know it, and you're more likely to be able to solve the puzzle if you know it.