Ivy Research

“One is never prepared to take an exam” is a cliché that you usually hear among test takers.  But is it true?  Or can we devise a way to better prepare and equip ourselves for an upcoming exam.  Here are tips that you may find useful when taking an exam.

Pre-Examination Guide

1)  Focus on your studies.  This means that all you will ever think about and do during this preparatory period is to study and that alone.  Stay focused - no unnecessary text messages, no parties, no time for star gazing.  You can better understand what you are studying and retain more information that you read if you refrain from distractions.

2)  Join a study group.  But be sure that when you do, you already have understood most of the topics so you will not get confused all the more when the group discussions begin.  Do your part, study extensively, and take the opportunity to ask the group those topics that you cannot understand.  Also, try to anticipate possible questions that might be asked in the exam and make a group effort to find the answers for these questions.

3)  Check the examination pre-requisites.  Review all the technicalities of the exam – the date, location, materials, fees, and the examination rules if provided.  Arrange your transportation, keep all the receipts and necessary documents that might be asked from you on the day of the exam, prepare the specified materials to be used, e.g., pen, paper, calculator, etc.,  ahead of time so you will not cram the day before the exam.

4)  Get adequate rest.  At least a week before the actual day of the exam, start to relax and lie low on your review.  It is important that you are physically and mentally well when you take the exam so you can adopt to the environmental conditions of the venue and be able to focus and think clearly while answering.  Take some vitamins and eat right.  On the night before the exam, sleep early and set 2 alarms to make sure that you will wake up on time the following day.

Tips During the Examination Proper

1)  Arrive on time.  Or even earlier so you will not miss any announcement or additional instructions.

2)  Pray.  Miracles work wonders.  It may be the only thing that will pull up your score if you are one point away from the passing.

3)  Read the instructions carefully.  Or listen to the examiner for further instructions.

4)  Skim through the test.  This way, you will have an idea how much time you should put in answering every number.

5)  Be alert.  Take note of the time once in a while.

6)  Answer as many questions as possible.  If one question is taking much of your time, skip and move on to another.  Sure answers are more worthy of your time than wild guesses. Just put a mark on those questions that you leave so that you can easily find them when you are ready to answer in your extra time.

7)  Trust your instinct.  As they say, if you are not sure of the answer, the first answer is always the right answer.  This is because of the familiarity of your first choice.  You might not know it but the answer you chose is somehow embedded in your memory.  So better trust your instinct.

8)  Stay relaxed and focused.  If anxiety attacks, take a deep breath, think positively and concentrate on the exam at hand.  Do not entertain any other thoughts and get back to the momentum of answering questions.

9)  Do not stress yourself out.  If you feel tired or a bit exhausted, take a short break and stretch a little.  You can not stay focused with your head dizzy or your back aching.

10)  Check you answers if you still have time in the end of the exam.  You might have missed out a question or two, or mispositioned your answers.  This is also the time to answer those questions you marked and left blank, so maximize it and do not rush to pass your paper.

 photo credit: ccarlstead

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