If you’re taking exams, it’s a busy and stressful time, but there are things you can do (and avoid doing) to make exam day easier for yourself.
We’re creating a series of content to help you navigate exam season smoothly. Here are seven common mistakes students make during exams and assessments, and some tips to help you avoid them.
Mistake 1: Winging It
Preparation is key when it comes to exams and final assessments, and it’s not too late to start getting organised. Lack of preparation is one of the biggest mistakes you can make, but it’s also one of the easiest to fix. Thinking you can just “go with the flow” can cause big problems.
Instead, start preparing as soon as you can. Here are some of our top tips to help you:
- Go through your notes and make sure you have revised all the key points.
- Check and double-check the exam date, time, and location.
- Check what equipment you are allowed (or required) to bring to your assessment, and make sure you have everything. For things that can run out, such as pens, bring spares.
- Pack your bag and lay out your clothes the night before the exam.
- Plan your route, including a time buffer in case anything goes wrong.
- Wake up in plenty of time so you’re not rushing.
Mistake 2: Not Reading the Exam Paper’s Instructions Thoroughly
Exams and assessments come in different formats and they do not all work in the same way. Learn as much as you can about the assessment format before the exam. The best way to do this is to study past papers.
You should also make sure you read the instructions thoroughly on the day. Pay attention to how the questions are worded to ensure you understand what is expected of you. It’s a good idea to spend the first 5 minutes of the exam reading and understanding the instructions.
Mistake 3: Not Looking After Yourself Before and During Exams
It can be tempting to spend every waking hour revising in the run-up to your exam or assessment. But this is a mistake and leads to stress, burnout, and—ironically—reduced exam performance.
Taking good care of yourself throughout exam season is essential. Plan your revision to build in time off, and make sure you leave time for friends, hobbies, and relaxation as well as studying. Make sure you get enough sleep, and resist the temptation to overuse stimulants (such as caffeine) or depressants (such as alcohol). Try to eat a healthy, balanced diet and move your body regularly, too.
Don’t revise the night before an exam. Instead, pack your bag for the morning, do something relaxing, and go to bed early. Even if you’re nervous, never skip a meal before your exam.
Mistake 4: Poor Use of Exam Time
If you have to answer 5 questions, it is a mistake to spend 80% of the exam on the first one. Before you start, make sure you know how many questions you will need to answer and how many marks each one is worth. You can then proportion out your time accordingly.
You should be able to see a clock at all times during your exam, so keep an eye on the time to make sure you stay on track. It is better to have a go at all the questions than to miss some entirely because you ran out of time.
Mistake 5: Panicking During The Exam
If you see a question that you don’t know the answer to, or your mind starts to go blank, it is easy to panic. But this just compounds the problem, making it even more difficult to think clearly. Instead, if you start to panic, take a few deep breaths and sip some water. Remind yourself that you are smart, capable, and have prepared thoroughly.
If you are struggling with one question, it’s fine to move onto another one and come back to the first question later. Once you have got into your stride and answered a few easier questions, you will feel more confident and better able to tackle the challenging question.
Mistake 6: Failing to Answer the Exam’s Set Questions
In essay exams, one of the most common mistakes students make is answering the question they wish had been set instead of the one that actually was. It is vital to make sure that your answer thoroughly addresses the specific question in the exam paper.
Jotting down a quick essay plan before you start writing can help you to avoid falling into this trap. As you write, continually refer back to the question and ensure that every paragraph of your answer is relevant.
Mistake 7: Rushing Your Exam
Running out of time in an exam can be a problem, but making mistakes because you are rushing is even worse. If you finish with a lot of time to spare, you may have been rushing even if you didn’t realise you were doing it.
When you think you have finished, check back over all your answers to make sure they are correct and as thorough as they can be. You can catch mark-losing errors this way. You might also find that you can further expand on your answers or add that great point that just occurred to you.
Finishing 5-10 minutes before the end of an exam is fine, but any earlier is a sign that you might want to check your paper again.
Good luck, you’ve got this!
