Passing an exam successfully is a skill that is usually acquired with a little practice. Getting a good grade doesn't just depend on how much you can remember what you've learned in class, but also on maintaining a good pace so that you have plenty of time to go through each section of the assignment. Good time management ensures you pass the test brilliantly.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Taking the Exam
Step 1. Answer the simple questions first
A good technique during exams is to prioritize the easier questions. The goal is to complete these parts quickly, preferably faster than expected, to have more time to devote to more complex questions.
The problem that can arise with this strategy, with respect to dedicating the allotted time to each section, is to skip a question thinking that it is more difficult than it actually is; you may also run the risk of not being able to return to the parts that have been left out
Step 2. Focus on the value of the question
After solving the simplest problems, spend time on the questions with the highest score. It makes a lot more sense to spend 10 minutes on a 20-point question rather than the same time on 10 one-point problems. In other words, investing 10 minutes to earn 20 points with one question is much more "profitable" than spending 10 minutes to earn 10 points with 10 questions.
The exam text should clearly state the value or percentage weight of each section or question; if in doubt, ask the teacher
Step 3. Check the clock
Wear one to respect the time you have decided to dedicate to each part of the exam; You are not allowed to bring a cell phone and there may not be a clock on the wall, so you need to get yourself a tool to keep the pace.
Step 4. Don't be in a hurry
If you have studied, practiced, read the wording of the exam and set the time, you have no reason to feel impatient. You may feel a little anxious or want to speed up to finish the test early, but time management is a matter of pace; So keep a regular "step" and stick to the plan.
Step 5. Take a couple of deep breaths
After completing each section, take a few seconds to pause and breathe before continuing; in this way, you do not proceed in a hurry and you can organize your time effectively. It is also a good way to mentally prepare for the next question.
Step 6. Be prepared for the unexpected
No matter how hard you studied for the test and how precisely you organized your time, there is always something that can go wrong; however, it is not the end of the world and you should not go out of your schedule for that. Be aware of the possibility of hitches and be prepared for any eventuality.
- Bring at least two pens or two pencils with you;
- If the calculator is allowed, keep spare batteries as well;
- Bring extra paper or notebook;
- You should also organize a small emergency kit with balsamic candy, gum, patches, and lip balm.
Part 2 of 3: Prepare for the Exam
Step 1. Recognize the exam format
Whether you are taking a standardized exam or a class test, you can probably know in advance what the test structure is; this information helps you to study and gives you an idea of how to handle the subject.
- For example, if the teacher has told you that there will be three open-ended questions to answer which you have to relate macroscopic topics with specific texts that you have read during the lessons, you have to start reflecting on the arguments and the thesis from which to start..
- If, on the other hand, there are 15 multiple choice questions and the same number with "true or false" answers, you should study focusing mainly on the facts and dates.
Step 2. Get your handouts
If you have to pass a standardized exam, there are several guides available; each of these offers exercises, study material and advice for taking the test. The handout is generally accompanied by some exam simulations, thanks to which you can know your level of preparation and evaluate your performance.
- Your local or school library may provide these guides that you can only consult in the library itself.
- You can also find copies online at a very low price.
Step 3. Practice answering open questions
This way, you can submit your paper to different people and get feedback, for example you can ask your teacher or the university writing center for advice. This feedback helps you to identify the parts of the essay that need to be developed and to become familiar with the writing; the more you practice, the faster and more efficient you become.
- The teacher could provide you with sample open questions, if you ask them; they could be the exams of the previous years or just the questions that the professor considers useful as exercises.
- Do not assume that the teacher or writing center will re-read your thesis; ask politely if anyone is willing to do this and offer advice.
Step 4. Review your weaknesses
Spend more time on topics you can improve on because it is an approach that proves useful in some way; it allows you to be more prepared in the subject you are not very good at and to worry less when you meet her during the test; this also allows you to develop strategies to manage these topics quickly and efficiently.
A good example of this situation is the verbal section of the GRE. Many people think that it is the most complex part that requires a lot of study through flashcards and the development of strategies for the meanings, synonyms and antonyms of words
Step 5. Organize a study plan
Make it realistic and that you can respect it; by doing so, you make sure that you spend enough time studying, adapting it to your needs and that you are able to manage your time accurately during the test.
- There are free templates of calendars and study programs that you can download from the internet.
- Some student diaries already have pages dedicated to the study plan.
Part 3 of 3: Putting the Plan into Practice
Step 1. Read all questions
Once you have received the exam text, read it carefully even before taking the pen. This allows you to identify the important information hidden between the lines and understand if there are any questions you can choose (for example the wording of the exam asks you to answer only one of the three questions listed).
Reading all the text allows you to understand the format of the exam and to adapt or modify the schedule you have established
Step 2. Develop a time budget
You have read the exam and you know how it is organized; So take a minute to divide it into sections and decide how much time to dedicate to each. Online generate, you need more time for open-ended questions than all the others.
- The "true / false" or multiple choice questions are those that take the least time to answer; you should set one minute per question, although 30 seconds should be a more realistic estimate. Spend at least half of your exam time on speech questions.
- Also allow a few minutes to re-read the answers before submitting the test. There is nothing worse than having to repeat the test just because you have made some trivial calculation errors or have reversed the order of the answers.
Step 3. Develop a strategy
At this point, you have read all the questions or established a time management, you just have to decide where to "attack" the test. You could start with conversational questions, as they usually take longer than ticking a box with the correct answer. On the contrary, you could start with the sentences to complete because they are the ones where you need to engage your memory skills.
- Since you have done a lot of exercises, you should have a good general idea of the best strategy to implement even before you show up for the exam.
- If you need to take a standardized one, the student guides should tell you what is the best way to overcome it and use your time efficiently.
Advice
- Give yourself time to meet normal daily needs as well as study.
- Write the program with colored pens to make it more lively.
- Try to stay calm as much as possible during the test.
Warnings
- Being in a hurry before an exam makes you lose focus even more and causes you to forget the necessary material.
- Studying all night before the exam rarely works.
- Do not study the same subject for too long as it will make you mentally fatigued.
