Before the Exam

• Its usually a good idea to get everything together the night before the exam, especially if your exam is early.
• Pack mints and water for the test, they will help you stay focused and alert.
• Try to get at least a semi-decent amount of sleep. The more rested the better. Fatigue doesn’t lend itself to cognitive success.
• Wear comfy clothes to the exam, especially if its a long one. Sitting through a two hour exam in pants that are way too tight is just going to distract you.
• If its a test with math, always bring a spare calculator. Even if it is a cheap dollar calculator, it will still be better than nothing if your main calculator dies. This is a really bad lesson to learn the hard way.
• If you are waking up right before the test, always set two alarms! Cell phones can die and plug in alarms can get reset if the power flickers. It’s good to have a back up.
• Start your day off with some caffeine and a light snack like fruit or salad. Definitely DO NOT eat a huge meal right before the test. You will have way to much glucose in your system and will feel drowsy and sluggish throughout the exam.
• If you are given any review materials or practice exams definitely do them before the exam. This is your teacher giving you a freebie of what is on the exam.  Make sure to review these right before the exam. Making your own study guide helps too. It lets you write and organize the material in a way that you comprehend and understand.

The Test

• Do a quick last minute review. Go over your notes, your study guide, the practice material. Focus on the materials that give you trouble; try to get that last minute memorization down.
• First step of the test: Breathe. Calm yourself down and relax.
• Write your name on the test, fill out the Scantron, test codes, read instructions etc. This is the easiest part of the test. Don’t screw it up.
• Skim the test before you start, check out the format, glance over the questions, etc. Gather a good idea of what is in store for you.
• Start answering questions, do all the easy ones first, skip any that give you trouble and move on. Finish all the easy ones that you know you know before embarking on the more difficult ones.
• If there are essay questions always make an outline first then move on from there. If there are written response questions you are unsure of, always write down everything you know. At the very least try for partial credit.
• Double check all answers before you turn it in. If you still have time left there is absolutely no reason not to thoroughly double check everything. Also, make sure you have bubbled in the right answers if that is part of the test. There is nothing worse that knowing the right answer yet still getting it wrong because of a stupid mistake.
• If it is a Scantron exam it is usually a good idea to mark the answers you get on the test as well as the Scantron. If there is any discrepancy in grading after the exam then you can always refer back to your exam and hopefully fix the situation.
• Make sure the test is finished, turn it in and take a deep breathe. You’re done!