It’s exam day, and you’ve spent the past week reviewing, studying, and probably stressing. Don’t worry, you’ll do fine! In fact, worrying on exam day will only make you lose your focus. Here are the things I try to remember for exam day, guaranteed to help me pass that big test. Who needs luck when you’ve got the skills and these tips:
1. Know the details
Make sure you know when and where the exam will be, so you don’t have to worry about it at the last minute.
2. Know the score
How much of your final grade is riding on this one exam? Usually, even if you don’t do well on one exam, you can still do well in the class, so don’t worry too much about this one exam.
3. Be prepared
Will you need a Scantron sheet? A pencil? Erasers? A calculator? Will you be able to use a textbook or your notes? Make sure you have everything you will need to take the exam.
4. Review one last time
Just before the exam, set aside a few minutes to review your notes one last time.
5. Get your rest
Make sure you get a good night’s sleep the night before the exam.
6. Keep a positive attitude
If you think you’ll do well, chances are you will. But if you keep telling yourself you’re going to fail, you’ll actually do worse. It’s called a “self-fulfilling prophecy,” and it can spell disaster. So keep a positive attitude!
7. Trust your instincts
If you’ve taken the time to study, then go with your gut instincts while you’re taking the exam. If you read a question, and the answer jumps off the page at you, then go with it.
8. Eat breakfast
Make sure to eat a healthful breakfast the day of the exam. For instance, a whole-grain cereal with a piece of fruit will be better than an Egg McMuffin or a quick Pop-Tart, or worse, nothing.
9. Bring water
If you’re allowed to bring a bottle of water with you to the exam, do it! It will help keep you refreshed and lessen the stress during the exam.
10. Get rid of distractions
Clear everything off of your desk that you don’t need for the exam. Turn off your cell phone, don’t just set it on vibrate.
11. Breathe!
If you find yourself beginning to stress during the exam, pause for a moment. Close your eyes, breathe in SLOWLY through your nose, and blow gently out through your mouth. Repeat two or three times, and you will be calm, and ready to continue.
12. Skip it
If you come to a question that stumps you, don’t spend all of time trying to figure it out. Skip it, and come back to it later. If you still can’t figure it out, don’t leave it blank. Give it your best guess, and you might just be right!
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