Secrets to Exam Success
Taking an exam can be a nerve-racking experience. However, there are several simple steps you can take to ensure that you succeed on any exam regardless of the subject matter being tested. Following directions, taking practice exams, organizing legible answers and briefly disengaging from the exam when you are stressed are all effective ways to ensure you pass your exam.
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Directions
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One of the easiest ways to successfully pass an exam is to follow the directions provided and only answer the questions asked. Test takers, especially when they are anxious, tend to provide answers that are not responsive to actual question, and as a result lose points. Staying on point ensures that you don't throw away points. Also, being familiar with and following directions is critical when taking a time-pressured exam where there is no time to discuss irrelevant concepts.
Practice
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Practicing taking exams prior to the actual exam day is another sure-fire way to increase your odds of success. Not only do prior exams give you a glimpse into possible questions and tasks you may see on your exam, but by practicing them, you reduce the amount of anxiety on the day of the exam. When you are relaxed, your brain is able to function more effectively. Practice exams also allow you to identify your strengths and weaknesses so that you get the most out of your study time. When practicing exams, simulate the conditions under which you will be taking the exam, such as timing yourself and not looking at books or study materials.
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Organization
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Exam graders are much more inclined to grade favorably when they are able to easily read and comprehend your answers. Use headers to identify key points and subheadings to break out larger concepts to allow a grader to quickly see that you are answering the question properly. Always use complete sentences, and make sure to explain any acronyms and/or abbreviations you may use in your answers. Finally, write legibly so that your grader does not have to struggle to decipher your handwriting.
Relax
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If you find yourself feeling flustered during the exam, the best thing to do is to stop and take a moment to relax. Briefly disengaging allows you to recollect your thoughts and to recall concepts and principles you have learned that touch on the material being tested. While you think about what you have studied, jot down a brief outline of points that you can refer to when writing your answer. This outline can guide you, ensure that you hit all of the important points and allow you to write your answer unaccompanied by anxiety.
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