Many people find it challenging to take exams. Some have a hard time memorizing information and others can experience test anxiety and stress.
We know that tests are not easy for everyone, so we are here to help. We’ve created a list of our top 20 test-taking tips that can help you perform better on your exam. Read on as we share our tips with you!
Tip #1: Plan several study sessions to give yourself enough time to review the material for the exam. This will help you understand and retain the information better.
Tip #2: Use a variety of study methods such as reading the material, reviewing notes, looking at visual images, using flashcards, completing practice problems, or teaching the information to another person.
Tip #3: Select a quiet study location with few distractions, such as a quiet room at your house or the library. It can be challenging to study for your exam and stay focused when you are interrupted by distractions.
Tip #4: Meet with a study group or study buddy and help each other prepare for your test. If you can find someone who is studying for the same exam you are, you can help and motivate each other.
Tip #5: Relax to reduce test anxiety with techniques including breathing exercises, meditation, thinking about happy thoughts, or picturing happy places. It can be hard to study when you are stressed out.
Tip #6: Practice some positive affirmations and try to visualize yourself excelling on the exam. You can say statements like, “I will do great on the exam” or “I am prepared and ready to take the test”.
Tip #7: Sleep well before your exam to help you be more refreshed, awake, and ready for the test. It’s vital to get enough sleep before an exam because it’s hard to think clearly when you’re not well-rested.
Tip #8: Enjoy a healthy meal before your exam so you will have the energy needed to focus. Don’t eat a lot of sugar though. It gives you energy at first, but you eventually experience a crash of reduced energy, and you don’t want this while taking your test.
Tip #9: Drink water to stay hydrated during your exam. Since our bodies use water for so many functions, things may not work properly without enough of it. One example is a headache from dehydration, and this is the last thing you want during an exam.
Tip #10: Ensure you are on time or early for your test. This gives you time to clear your mind and relax before starting the exam. You can also use this time to ask any final questions before you begin.
Tip #11: Bring all the needed supplies to complete your test. You may need items like a calculator, a pencil, a notebook for problems or essays, notes from class, or something else.
Tip #12: Keep a positive attitude before your exam, while you’re taking it, and afterward. Doing this can help reduce test anxiety, give you a boost of confidence, and help you relax.
Tip #13: Read all the directions carefully for each question on the test before you answer any of them. If you don’t understand the directions, it can be very easy to get answers wrong.
Tip #14: Quickly scan the entire exam before beginning. Doing this will help you determine exactly how much time you can take answering each question or each section of the exam.
Tip #15: Skip and come back to hard questions after you finish all other questions on the exam. If you spend too much time trying to figure out the hard questions, you may not have time to complete the entire test.
Tip #16: Don’t get frustrated during the exam, even if you are confused or don’t know all the answers. We don’t think clearly when we get overwhelmed and frustrated, and this can stop us from doing our best work.
Tip #17: Pick the answer that makes sense if you don’t know the correct answer and must guess. Attempting to guess is still better than not answering the question at all.
Tip #18: Save time to check your answers when you are finished with your exam. Taking time to look over your answers can help you be sure that you haven’t missed anything and have completely answered all questions.
Tip #19: Do something just for you after you finish your exam. Hanging out with some friends, watching your favorite Netflix show, or taking a walk in nature can all help relieve any stress you may still have after the exam.
Tip #20: Go over your test results when you receive them. Consider what strategies worked well for you and what could be improved for next time. Use this information when you prepare for your next exam.
We hope using these tips for your next exam will help you manage anxiety, build great study habits, and give you a boost of confidence!
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