It’s controversial. It’s challenging. It’s pressure-packed.

It’s the Wonderlic Test, and many of the roughly 300 participants at the 2014 NFL Combine sat down earlier this week to take the most scrutinized exam not named the SATs.

While many football fans have heard about the test that, according to Wonderlic, Inc., measures a player’s “ability to think, learn, solve problems, and follow instructions” how many guys know they may some day feel the pressure of taking this exam just like Johnny Manziel?

“If the average guy is looking to make a career change or enroll in a post-secondary education program, there is a high likelihood that he will take one of the Wonderlic tests,” says Michael Callans, V.P. research and development at Wonderlic, Inc. The ultimate goal of the exam is to provide reliable information supporting your possible hiring or, in somebody like Jadeveon Clowney’s case, No. 1 overall selection.

The test has its detractors, but the NFL—and corporate America—very much value it. A poor performance won’t submarine someone’s draft prospects, but it helps paint a picture. And when organizations are always trying to get the upper hand—in the boardroom or on the gridiron—every little bit helps.

Here’s the general breakdown of what future draft picks are seeing. The Wonderlic consists of 50 math questions, problem-solving equations, and basic English questions mixed in with a few no brainers. (One example: The eighth month of the year is?) Sounds like piece of cake until you realize it’s over in 12 minutes. Think you’re smarter than an NFL player? See for yourself by taking this sample Wonderlic.

“The questions aren’t that difficult, the challenge is against the clock. It’s all about time management,” says Angus Mugford, Ph.D., director of personal and organizational performance at IMG Academy, which helps groom prospects for NFL teams. The strategies he teaches on staying focused and dealing with doubts are just as applicable to the average guy as it is to a future first-rounder. Here are some ways to tackle any problem you’re facing—not just on a test.

You Can Make Every Throw

One of the most important strategies is to incorporate positive thinking and visualization techniques into your prep routine. A challenge—like the Wonderlic—might be intimidating, but thinking positively goes a long way toward conquering it. Mugford tells his players to envision the methods that will lead to their success and banish “can’t” and “don’t” from their vocabularies.

Afraid you’re never going to land that promotion or impress the boss? Start meditating. A study from the University of North Carolina found that people who regularly meditate experienced enhanced positive emotions in ordinary life situations, especially those involving other people.

Be a Game Manager

There will be questions on the test players won’t understand or will forget how to solve. Mugford preaches patience and perseverance. A problem that does not present an easy answer is no reason to get flustered. Move on to another one. You can always return to it, and stepping away can eventually lead to a breakout solution.

Running into a roadblock in the middle of writing a report that’s due? Try working on a different section. Or better yet, take a quick break. A recent University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign study found that brief diversions from a task can dramatically improve one's ability to focus on that task for prolonged periods.

Control the Clock

Mugford stresses the importance of time management skills. Wonderlic test takers can only spend about 15 seconds on a question if they want to answer all 50. (And you don’t get a calculator.) So budgeting your time wisely isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a necessity.

To be more productive each day in the amount of time your have, set more deadlines. Parkinson's law famously states “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion." Have a job that will only take 20 minutes but you’re allowing two weeks to get it done? Chances are you’re adding unnecessary anxiety to an already packed plate.

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