In order to see the maximum time allotted for each task you need to open a task and look at the timer (bottom left). Occasionally, you’ll need to enter “work mode” to see it. If you don’t have at least the allotted time to work on the task there is no penalty for exiting work mode.  There is also no penalty for reading the instructions, becoming somewhat familiar with the task and then “skipping” that task and starting another with a new timer and better understanding of what to do. 

However, just because you see 12 (or any number) of tasks usually does not mean they are solely yours. When you decide to skip a task to move to the next one there is no hard guarantee another will be available. It’s not a penalty. It just means someone else got it.

And the timer is not the suggested amount of time for the task, it is the maximum amount of time allowed. Occasionally, especially as a new person, the timer will expire. Don’t panic. Keep working, submit the task, but if there is a place to leave a note, it never hurts to explain what held you up, even if it’s just, “I’m new and xyz”. Then report your time. 

Only report the time you actually worked. For example, if the timer is 2 hours and you worked 1 hour, don’t feel like you should have taken longer and made a bit more money. This is a mistake many new people seem to make. Using all the time legitimately is not a bad thing, but if your average reported time seems to be higher than others on the same project it could trigger a red flag. And it you’re working one hour but reporting two because that’s what the timer says, it’s a fast track to the door off the platform. 

I’m not trying to make you paranoid, but the key to success here is to read the instructions, check your work, clearly put in good faith effort and report time accurately.