 |
|
|
| Get Exam-Smart – 10 essential test-taking tips |
|
2. Have a clock with you. The exam venue will likely have a wall clock, but having your own timepiece is easier that glancing up at a wall clock ever so often to check on the time. However, refrain from setting alarms or making adjustments after the exam has started – this may be more stressful and may also be distracting to other students. If need be, keep a spare watch or compact desk clock in his or her bag. 3. Go through the entire test once you’re permitted to view the paper. Go through the paper to have a sense of the different sections and number of questions, and check for any oddities such as missing pages or unfamiliar format. Quickly calculate how much time needs to be spent on each section and question, on the basis of more marks – more time. Do ensure some time allowance for checking as well. 4. Start with the easy questions first. Some students jump right into the first question they see, and often get stuck with the difficult questions later. Start off with the questions that you can answer easily, even if it is in the last section of the paper (which is often the section with the most marks). This will help to sustain your confidence. If you can answer these questions faster than the time you’ve allocated to complete them, the additional time will come in handy for other questions you find more difficult. 5. Read every question at least twice. Doing this helps you to be sure of what the question is seeking. Be careful about making assumptions, even if you’ve seen similar questions in mock exams and assessment papers. A different word or two can change the meaning of a familiar-looking sentence. 6. Move on if you cannot answer. If you’re stuck at a question, make a mark against it so you can track it later (a circle, an asterisk etc.) and move on first to another question. Don’t waste time mulling it over in your head. Reading other questions (and even MCQ answer options in another section of the paper) may give you clues that will trigger off the correct answer later. You may also gather a different perspective when taking a second look at the question. 7. Don’t panic if you draw a blank. Every student dreads coming across a question or group of questions that they have absolutely no idea how to answer. If this happens, don’t panic – close your eyes for a moment and take a few deep breaths. Mentally tell yourself ‘I am calm and can do this. I can find the answer to this question.’ 8. Identify key points related to the questions. If you’re not sure how to begin answering a question, try to identify the theme, topic and keywords that the question relates to, especially if the question entails more marks. This can be especially useful for Science. As you go through the key concepts and principles in your head, jot down aspects which seem to be relevant to the question before you. In some cases, this may help you to get partial marks. 9. Check for transfer errors. In Maths, one of the most common mistakes is to transfer wrong digits from the question to your workings, or from your workings to the final answer sentence. Many precious marks and time are lost in this manner. 10. Always stay positive! We can’t say it too often - exams are a necessary part of a student’s journey, not the final destination. As a parent, you may have your worries for your children, but turn that into encouragement and positive words. Knowing that you believe in them can make a world of difference in their attitude towards exams. We hope you find the above tips useful! Don't forget to check these articles as well:
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email this
Hits: 6728 Comments (0)
 Write comment
|
Keep your child's exam jitters at bay with these tips from educators and experienced parents
