Develop a positive mindset and stay calm

Anxiety can cause you to forget crucial information or even misread questions. Approaching questions calmly and confidently helps you make the most of all your revision and hard work! To fight anxiety, practise deep breathing techniques, positive self-talk, and visualisation exercises before and during the test. Maintain a calm and focused mindset, and remind yourself that you have put in the necessary effort to succeed. Believe in yourself and your abilities and develop a positive attitude towards the test.

Be familiar with the test format

Different question types and different exam formats all require different approaches! Being comfortable with the format also helps to build confidence. Whether it's multiple-choice, essay-based, or a combination of both, knowing what to expect will allow you to allocate your time and energy effectively. Pay attention to instructions, time limits, and any specific guidelines provided. Practising with sample questions or past papers is the best way to get a feel for the type of questions and the level of difficulty.

Read questions and instructions carefully

Make sure to understand questions fully and read instructions closely as this will prevent you from losing marks! Be mindful of the requirements and any constraints mentioned. Understand whether you need to provide short answers, elaborate explanations, or select the best option from a list. Reading a question properly should also help you identify the topics, concepts and techniques required to approach and answer it correctly.

Practise active learning

Active learning helps you ensure your revision is “exam-friendly” as it focuses on long-term retention and in-depth understanding. Engage in active learning techniques such as summarising information in your own words, teaching the material to someone else, or creating flashcards for key concepts. Practice with sample questions or engage in mock tests to simulate exam conditions. Active learning enhances comprehension and promotes better recall during exams.

Manage your time

Unfortunately, many students lose marks because they are unable to finish their tests on time. Managing your time during the test itself and by doing timed practices can help you avoid this! During the test itself, you can begin by quickly skimming through the entire test to gauge the scope and difficulty level. Allocate time for each section or question based on their weightage and complexity. Stick to your time limits but remain flexible to adjust if needed. If you encounter a difficult question, skip it temporarily and come back to it later. During test preparation, doing practice papers will help you gauge your current time management skills and help determine whether you need to work on them further.