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/Askol 2d ago
I think for me, the most important things were:
1) ALWAYS finish the puzzle everyday without revealing any of the answers unless you're completely lost. Try not to use autocheck for the first 15 minutes, and if it is turned on, really try not to use it as a crutch.
2) Look up the trivia that you weren't aware of, and read at least the wikipedia intro on it.
3) Get to know 'crossword-ese', as there are tons of answers that would otherwise be very esoteric, but they're referenced frequently in crosswords making them gimmes the more experienced you are. It can't hurt to look up a list of the most common ones, but honestly this one just comes from experience.
4) Come here everyday after finishing the puzzle to see what people are saying about it - this also helps to reinforce some of the tougher clues since they're often discussed.
5) Go through the archive and just work your way backwards!
But more than anything, it's just number 1 - you just need to keep doing them and you'll improve very quickly.
Also, the fact that you're only 20 means there is going to be a LOT of pop culture and trivia referenced from before you were born - that's just something you'll need to deal with, unfortunately.