A method and apparatus for managing paging related delays between a mobile station and a base station is provided, which includes the use of a fractional slot cycle index. A first value for the slot cycle index, which is equal to an integer value less than a desired fractional slot cycle index value, is selected for use during a period of time corresponding to a determined proportion of a reduced slot cycle period, and a second value for the slot cycle index, which is equal to an integer value greater than a desired fractional slot cycle index value, is selected for use during a period of time corresponding to a remaining portion of the reduced slot cycle period.