What to do first...

The first thing I recommend you do when you are allowed to start, is to quickly read through the entire exam paper. Scan it quickly, looking at the questions to see what will be required to pass this exam. Once you have an overview of what you are dealing with, start with the easy questions first. This will help calm you and build your confidence. Allow your subconscious to work on the harder questions while you are doing the easier ones. By the time you get to the harder questions your subconscious mind will have come up with some ideas and answers. Plus some of the easy questions and answers may have triggered information for the harder questions.

Writing in an exam

When writing your answers, make it easy for the examiner to understand your thought process. Examiners look for concise, readable, well-presented work that answers the question. Short sentences are best. Use simple words. Using long words inappropriately or words that you don't fully understand will not impress the marker. It will give the impression you are trying to bluff your way through. Marks will be lost accordingly.
Go for simplicity of wording and shorter sentences.
Make sure your handwriting is easy to read.

Before the exam...

Passing exams is more than answering the questions, preparation beforehand is important.

• Get a great night's sleep, and remember cramming isn't a smart option.
• Eat a healthy breakfast and/or lunch if it is an afternoon exam.
• Relax and quietly review the key points an hour before your exam.
• Ensure you have all your pens, rulers, calculator and spare batteries etc.
• Get to your exam 15-20 minutes early.
• Keep yourself positive by telling yourself to relax and visualising a successful exam.
• Avoid people who are stressing out and speaking negatively about the exam.

In the Exam

Here are some ideas for what to do in the exam...

• Once you find your seat get organised by spreading out your pens, pencils etc.
• Read the instructions carefully.
• Divide your time according to the marks. If it's a three hour exam and there are three sections, each section should take 50-55mins, allowing time for reviewing at the end. If there are 40 multi-choice questions in a section you have just over one minute per question.
• Ensure you answer the compulsory questions.
• Remember to answer every question.
• If you are running out of time, make sure you get down the main points.
• Space out answers so it is easy for the marker to read. A good rule is to start each new question on a new page. Label each question clearly. Number the pages to avoid any confusion.
• If you make a mistake, clearly cross it out and start again.
• At the end, if you have time, proof read your answers, check mathematical answers and working. For numerical questions you should show your working steps. Marks are often allocated for each step so that if you make an error along the way, you may still be able to get good marks
• For questions requiring descriptive answers, use the mark allocation as a guide to the number of points required. For example, to answer a 2-mark question fully, you are likely to be required to give two distinctly different points.
• Include, where possible, an equation or sketch wherever relevant.

Can’t think of an answer?

Take a deep breath, stretch and look up to recall the information. If you can't recall a date, leave a space and come back to it later.
If you are not sure about the answer, jot down a couple of points on the exam paper and tell yourself you will come back to the question after you have completed the next two.
If you have forgotten some of your material, ask yourself these questions:

• Where was I when studying this?
• What was I thinking?
• What did I say?
• What letter of the alphabet did it start with?

If you are still not sure, stay calm, go onto the next question and come back to it if you can.

Exam Stress

If you are feeling stressed before an exam, it is likely that you are seeing a negative or bad result inside your head. Make sure you are using positive self talk, affirmations, and are seeing a positive result.

Visualise yourself going into the exam calm and relaxed. See yourself scanning through the paper and starting with the easy questions first. Feel yourself calmly writing the answers and the information flowing out of the end of your pen. See yourself successfully completing the paper with time to spare for a check of all questions. Imagine yourself walking out of the exam feeling confident and knowing you have completed the paper to the best of your ability.