In the days leading up to the exam
To succeed in a test, you must establish the finest possible foundation. Improve your test performance in the months and weeks preceding up to the exam by performing the following.
Examine the marking scheme and syllabus
Learn exactly what the examiners are looking for by reading the mark scheme for each of your subjects and noting what kind of items are given extra marks (and whether points are deducted for anything). Looking at the syllabus should also give you an idea of the whole spectrum of topics you could be tested on, so nothing surprises you when you turn over the question paper. At this point, if you see an area that you believe requires improvement, get help from an instructor.
Put down some practise sheets
Obtain some practise papers and sit them under exam conditions before handing them over to an instructor to be graded. Your school will almost certainly provide mock tests, but more preparation never hurts. This can help you grow familiar to the format of the tests, allowing you to develop a feel for time and begin to forecast the types of questions you may expect in the real thing. You may be able to guess what questions you’ll get on the day by observing the trends of which questions come again and again. Furthermore, sitting practise papers will reveal any gaps in your knowledge, allowing you to concentrate more on your revision time to these topics.
Just before the examination
If you implemented the guidelines above, by the time you arrive at the 12 to 24 hours before the test, you should be feeling secure in your level of knowledge as well as how to use that information successfully. Your emphasis now shifts to physical and mental preparation for the exam.
Change your perspective
Avoid approaching your exam with a bad attitude. Nothing is worse than telling yourself, “I’m going to fail,” “this is going to be terrible,” or “I’m not prepared for this.” Thoughts like this may become self-fulfilling, so try to fill your head with happy thoughts instead. You’d be surprised at the power of positive thinking in an exam circumstance, and you’ll discover that it boosts your confidence and makes you more capable of answering the questions, no matter how tough they are. Tell yourself, “I can do this,” and view the test as an intellectual challenge and a chance to demonstrate how much you’ve learned over your years at school, senior students, or university.
Learn about the exam’s norms and restrictions
To minimize unneeded extra stress on the day, it’s a good idea to be thoroughly aware of what is and isn’t permitted. If you wish to bring a bottle of water into the exam room, for example, you’ll almost probably have to remove the label. Now is the time to make sure you have the right regulatory equipment. For example, if you’re taking a math test, verify what kind of calculators are authorized and for which papers.
During the test
The time has come for you to shine. Keep a cool mind and keep reading for some essential exam technique recommendations.
Plan out the sequence in which you will answer the questions
Do not even waste too much time deciding how to approach the questions; a fast mental note to yourself while reading over the question paper will suffice. Make a circle around the questions you intend to answer. Tackle the easy questions first, as this will allow you to collect points fast, ensuring you have a basic level of marks before moving on to the difficult ones, which may take longer to finish.
Respond to the question
Problems may be phrased significantly differently than you may imagine, causing you to stress at first since you don’t know what to write about. You’ll almost definitely discover that after reading it again, you have the understanding to deal with it successfully. However, don’t make the common error of answering the question you want to answer rather than the one that is asked. No matter how good your essay is, if it answers a different question, you will receive minimal credit. Remember to take notice of directions such as “examine” or comparison and contrast and follow them exactly.