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/Boobooloo 3d ago

First of all, good on you jumping into crosswords. It's a great mental exercise and infinitely better than spending time scrolling.

My advice: push yourself to solve all the puzzles you can, even if you have to Google things along the way. When you are done with a puzzle, look up answers you might have gotten via crosses that you didn't know.

That way you educate yourself on why the answers are what they are and you burn it into your brain by doing a little research around it. You'll be surprised how quickly your ability to solve all on your own will grow.

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u/HamishGosling 3d ago

Curious, how do you get the new words to stick?

Do you find looking them up once is enough, or do you deliberately come back to them?

I find crosswords are a great way to come across new words, but I tend to need repeat exposure before I remember them.

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u/Boobooloo 2d ago

I find looking them up helps. But usually doing research around the topic is useful. Like what is the history of the Otoe tribe. That extra grounding makes it easier for it to stick in the brain.