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Feeling those exam jitters? You're not alone, and we are here to help!
This is your personal toolkit designed to provide you with practical strategies and proven techniques to feel confident when you walk into that exam room, manage stress effectively, and ace your exams.
Dive into this guide to master exam techniques and succeed in your courses.
Feeling stressed about tests and exams? This video equips you with powerful strategies to confidently tackle any exam. Learn how to ace multiple choice, short answer, open-book, and online exams.
Watch now!
You need to prepare for more than just the subject matter!
Make sure to gather all the details of the exam:
Date and time
Location (online or in-class)
Content covered (like: specific learning objectives, cumulative material)
Format (like: multiple choice, open book, written answer)
Duration you have to write (try to complete 60% of the exam in 50% of the time)
Number of questions
Materials allowed (like: calculator, notes, scrap paper)
Well-being matters
Prioritize a good night's sleep, healthy meals, and staying hydrated in the days leading up to your exam, especially on exam day.
Brain Dump before you begin!
Start by quickly writing down all relevant formulas, keywords, concepts, and important information you know for the exam on scrap paper. This method helps to offload your short-term memory and provide a reference for those moments you feel stuck.
Start by answering all easy questions, then making a second pass for the more challenging ones, and a final sweep to review and complete any remaining questions.
Sweep 1 - Quick; easiest and shortest questions
Sweep 2 - Slower; more difficult questions
Sweep 3 - Final; unanswered questions
When completing a written responses some steps you can follow are:
1. Plan what you'll say
Before you write, take a moment to outline your thoughts. Think about the question and what key points you need to cover.
2. Show what you know
Answer the question by providing as much relevant information as you can. This is your chance to demonstrate your understanding. Back up your points with details and examples to make your response clear.
3. Stay On Topic
Focus on the questions asked. Keep your response focused on the prompt to shows you've fully grasped the concept.
Open-book exams can be tricky, but these steps can help you succeed:
1. Study like it's a closed-book exam
Prepare thoroughly. Open-book exams often have harder questions that test understanding, not just recall. Knowing the material well will save you time.
2. Flag key information
Before the exam, clearly mark important sections in your notes or textbooks. Use tabs, sticky notes, or highlights to quickly locate definitions, formulas, or crucial concepts during the exam. This also saves time.
3. Create a summary sheet
Develop a summary sheet with the most important information, formulas, and key concepts. This can help you quickly recall important details and act as a quick reference, making it easier to navigate the exam material.
Remember to breathe!
Learning to control your breath can help calm your mind and body. Here are a few effective ways to take a deep breath:
Box Breathing: A powerful technique for stress relief
Inhale slowly for a count of four
Hold your breath for a count of four
Exhale slowly for a count of four
Hold your breath for a count of four
Repeat this cycle as needed
Physiologic Sigh: A natural way to relieve tension
Inhale deeply through your nose
Take a quick, second inhale after the first breath
Exhale slowly through your mouth
Repeat as needed
5 Senses Moment: A grounding technique combining mindfulness with breath
Taking deep breaths,
Identify 5 things you can see
Identify 4 things you can hear
Identify 3 things you can smell
Identify 2 things you can feel
Identify 1 thing you can taste
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