essay on my preparation for examination

Essay On My Preparation For Examination

• Views 14745
• Author Writer

Essay on My Exams

          Over the course of the past eight years, I became obsessive regarding my education goals. One of the most beneficial skills developed through my journey was the ability to perform well on academic testing. I found there were unique strategies to overcome the obstacle of intellectual assessments regardless of my previous experience with the subject matter. There are a variety of relative skills that go into acing an exam. The most prominent of which I found to be proper study habits. These habits can be broken down into three main components. The environment, the mindset, and the activity.  These interdependent components can work in concert to advance anyone’s study and improve performance on exam day.

• Environment

Preparation for the examination should be conducted in a quiet place free from distraction. The most ubiquitous distractions in most people’s lives are digital. Silence phones, block e-mail pop-ups, turn off televisions, and do whatever else is possible to eliminate digital distractions during a study session. If possible, try to mimic the environment in which the test will be taken. This will help with recall and train your brain to perform tasks under these specific circumstances. Another useful tool is to listen to Baroque period classical music when studying. Listening to Baroque music while studying can improve mental focus, recall, and attention to detail (Pieri). The temperature in the room should be comfortable. It should neither be too hot nor too cold or this can lead to a physiological distraction that diminishes capabilities. Seating is also extremely important. The chair should be comfortable, but not so comfortable that it incites sleep. The room should be well lit as eye strain can also lead to decreased focus and increased fatigue. Taking these steps to set up the appropriate environment prepares the body for the required state of mind necessary for effective study.

Mental focus is paramount for the retention of concepts and the ability to successfully recall them. Interestingly, most of the crucial elements to improve mental focus and mindset occur well before the study session begins. These elements include proper sleep, diet, and exercise. It is recommended for students to obtain at least seven hours of sleep daily (Watson, et al.). If sleep-deprived, the mind experiences periods of fogginess and concentration becomes improbable. Many students attempt to gain benefits from the addition of supplements like Ginkgo Biloba, vitamin B, caffeine, L-theanine, or ginseng; however, the science is still inconclusive on their benefit for mental focus and memory support. It is more effective to eat a proper diet composed of balanced nutrition to helps maintain a vital memory and enhance studying capability. The third leg of the stool is physical activity. Exercise can help boost immune function, reduce mental fatigue, and increase awareness and focus while studying (Mandolesi, et al.). Perform moderate aerobic activity at least three times per week to reap the benefits of exercise during study sessions.

As young children most of us are taught to study diligently; however, very few people are ever taught how to study. An important lesson I learned was to utilize purposeful and specific tactics to emphasize the most crucial elements of a subject. One of the most vital things to do before taking any notes is to have a rough idea of what you are going to be studying. Start by reading the end-of-chapter quiz questions. It is also prudent to read section headers within each chapter for more guidance. If the source material is not a textbook, skim through each page and look for pictures or keywords throughout that might provide some reference points to focus on. After reviewing chapter questions or keywords, then take notes or come up with questions regarding the material. This method will make the reading process more active rather than passive which increases comprehension. Another useful tactic is to improve reading speed. Contrary to popular belief, speed readers tend to have higher levels of comprehension than average readers (Rayner, et al.). It is due to the increased level of focus required to speed read. As a comparison, consider the amount of focus it takes to drive a car 23 MPH vs. the focus necessary to drive a car 95 MPH. The higher speed requires intense focus while the slower speed allows the brain to wander and become distracted. The brain is a supercomputer capable of accomplishing far more than we usually ask of it. Increasing reading speed permits students to digest a larger amount of data in a shorter period with greater focus.

Preparation is the key to the successful accomplishment of missions. It is unfortunate that so much effort was put into teaching kids what to study instead of how to study throughout academic careers. It is akin to jumping out of a plane with or without a parachute. Having the parachute does not guarantee you will survive the experience, but it greatly enhances your chances. These study habits are that scholastic parachute. Study sessions should occur after receiving proper sleep, nutrition, and exercise. Studying is most effective in environments clear of digital and other forms of distraction to enhance focus. Lastly, they should incorporate elements of pre-study review to enable comprehensive attention to detail and concentration. There is no guarantee these study habits will ensure you perform well on all exams; however, they put your body and mind in the most advantageous state possible to improve memory, focus, and recall. Take my advice, if, given the opportunity, you should opt to bring the parachute.

Works Cited

Mandolesi, Laura et al. "Effects of Physical Exercise on Cognitive Functioning and Wellbeing: Biological and Psychological Benefits.” Frontiers in Psychology , Vol. 9, 509. 27 Apr. 2018

Pieri, Dayani A. (2017). "The Effect of Background Baroque Music on Work Accomplishment and Student Concentration on Days of Rapid Weather Changes”. The St. Catherine University Repository .

Rayner, Keith, et al. "So Much to Read, So Little Time: How Do We Read, and Can Speed Reading Help?” Psychological Science in the Public Interest , Vol. 17, No. 1, May 2016, pp. 4–34, doi:10.1177/1529100615623267. Accessed 07 August 2021

Watson, Nathaniel F et al. "Recommended Amount of Sleep for a Healthy Adult: A Joint Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society.” Sleep, Vol. 38,6 843-4. 1 Jun. 2015, doi:10.5665/sleep.4716. Accessed 07 August 2021

Request Writer

Member Since : 06-08-2021

Orders In Progress

Orders Completed

About webbiz102

MBA will be obtained in December 2021

Recent Posts

• A Sample Essay on Birds 21-08-2023 0 Comments
• Is Homeschooling an Ideal Way... 21-08-2023 0 Comments
• Essay Sample on Man 14-08-2023 0 Comments
• Academic Writing(23)
• Admission Essay(172)
• Book Summaries(165)
• College Tips(312)
• Content Writing Services(1)
• Essay Help(517)
• Essay Writing Help(76)
• Essays Blog(0)
• Example(337)
• Infographics(2)
• Letter Writing(1)
• Outlines(137)
• Photo Essay Assignment(4)
• Resume Writing Tips(62)
• Samples Essays(315)
• Writing Jobs(2)

• EXPLORE Random Article

How to Prepare for an Essay Exam

Last Updated: April 20, 2023

This article was co-authored by Michelle Golden, PhD . Michelle Golden is an English teacher in Athens, Georgia. She received her MA in Language Arts Teacher Education in 2008 and received her PhD in English from Georgia State University in 2015. This article has been viewed 137,181 times.

The dreaded essay exam. Whether you like it or not, at some point in your life you are certain to encounter an exam composed entirely of essays. In the days leading up to the exam you may feel anxious or downright sick to your stomach. Fortunately, with a little bit of preparation and practice, you can turn any pre-exam jitters into a feeling of confidence, which will allow you to successfully tackle any essay exam.

Participating in Class

• Actively participate. It’s important to find a participation method that works for you, whether that’s asking thought-provoking questions or commenting on the reading. Active participation just means involving yourself in some way, so even if you don’t feel comfortable speaking at length in front of your peers, try to ask a question every now and then.
• Free yourself from distractions. Put away your cell phone or tablet and concentrate on listening and taking good notes. Now is not the time to work on homework for another class or to catch up with friends on Facebook.

• Always have a notebook on hand. It is helpful to use one notebook per subject or course, so that you don’t confuse yourself when looking back.
• Be sure to date your notes so that you can quickly reference or find the subject material covered on the exam.
• If you struggle with taking notes, ask the instructor if you can record the lecture. You can then go back and listen to the recording and either take notes at your own pace or review any parts of the lecture, which will be relevant for the exam.

• Take notes on what you’ve read and have questions ready for class.
• Follow the schedule for reading assignments. Typically readings are broken out in a way that is both manageable and topical. If, however, you find yourself unable to keep up with the readings, speak with your instructor about a schedule that suits your particular needs. For example, if readings are assigned for every other day of class, you may need to break it out such that you are reading a portion every day.

Reviewing the Material

• In addition to having one notebook per course, it may be helpful to also have an individual course binder or folder, which contains all course materials.
• Take your organization to the next level by categorizing according to exams. Don’t throw away previous notes or materials from past exams. They may come in handy for midterm or final exams. Instead, organize the materials as if they were chapters, with chapter one being the first exam and so forth and so on.

• Limit phone calls and any other distractions such as texting. It might help to turn your phone and other devices to silent mode while you’re studying.
• The TV should always be off while you’re preparing for an exam.
• If you want to listen to music, be sure it’s something that is relaxing or peaceful. Also, keep the music at a low level. Otherwise, music can easily become a distraction.

• Get into the habit of reviewing class materials after each course. This will help to ease anxiety leading up to the exam, as you won’t have as much to review and will be able to clear up any questions that arise, prior to the big day.
• Cramming doesn’t work. Multiple studies have shown that spacing out learning was more effective than cramming. [2] X Research source What’s more, cramming only increases the feeling of desperation which leads to panic, and then to test anxiety.

• Creating an outline will also come in handy when drafting essay responses, so give yourself some practice and start with your class materials.

Practicing Ahead of Time

• Don’t wait until the night before to outline answers. As you’re studying and organizing your class materials, come up with potential questions along the way. You can then go back and review and revise as necessary.
• Some instructors do specify a word count for essays. Don’t focus on counting words though. Write what you can and look for opportunities to flesh out your answers without being overly wordy.

• Identify - typically short and direct answers will do.
• Explain - requires a more detailed answer.
• Compare - look for connections.
• Argue - address this from your own perspective.

• This is a good opportunity to proofread your work and to look for any grammatical errors as well.
• Have a friend, parent or peer look over your essay as well. It is often helpful to have a fresh set of eyes review your work and provide feedback.

Community Q&A

• For open-notes or open-book tests, study thoroughly anyway. This will prepare you for other exams or tests where you're not allowed to use notes, and will allow for you to complete the test faster and easier because you won't need to search for everything in the book or your notes. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Be positive. If you are negative and believe you will not do well, chances are that you will perform the way you expect to. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Practice writing. Be sure you can write fairly well in other situations so that you can express your ideas clearly. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/essay-exams/
• ↑ http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140917-the-worst-way-to-learn

About this article

If you’re worried about an upcoming essay exam, start reviewing your class notes by topic. One helpful way to prepare for your essay exam is to create a potential outline for each theme. For example, if you’re studying Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, you might come up with an essay outline about the themes of the play. Once you have a few of these outlines, do practice essays at home under timed conditions, using old exams or questions you can see from your outline. Additionally, make it easier to prepare for future exams by attending all classes, doing the assigned readings and taking clear notes. Keep reading for more tips, including how to understand what the essay questions are asking of you. Did this summary help you? Yes No

Reader Success Stories

Jun 6, 2016

Did this article help you?

Mar 25, 2017

• About wikiHow
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

• Library Catalogue

Exam preparation: Strategies for essay exams

Essay exams test you on “the big picture”-- relationships between major concepts and themes in the course. Here are some suggestions on how to prepare for and write these exams.

Exam preparation

Learn the material with the exam format in mind.

• Find out as much information as possible about the exam –- e.g., whether there will be choice –- and guide your studying accordingly.
• Think, and make notes or concept maps, about relationships between themes, ideas and patterns that recur through the course. See the guide Listening & Note-taking and Learning & Studying for information on concept mapping.
• Compare/contrast and think about what you agree and disagree with, and why.

Focus your studying by finding and anticipating questions

• Find sample questions in the textbook or on previous exams, study guides, or online sources.
• Looking  for patterns of questions in any tests you  have already written in the course;
• Looking at the course outline for major themes;
• Checking your notes for what the professor has emphasized in class;
• Asking yourself what kind of questions you would ask if you were the professor;
• Brainstorming questions with a study group.
• Organize supporting evidence logically around a central argument.
• Memorize your outlines or key points.
• A couple of days before the exam, practice writing answers to questions under timed conditions.

If the professor distributes questions in advance

• Make sure you have thought through each question and have at least an outline answer for each.
• Unless the professor has instructed you to work alone, divide the questions among a few people, with each responsible for a full answer to one or more questions. Review, think about, and supplement answers composed by other people.

Right before the exam

• Free write about the course for about 5 minutes as a warm-up.

Exam writing

Read carefully.

• Look for instructions as to whether there is choice on the exam.
• Circle key words in questions (e.g.: discuss, compare/contrast, analyze, evaluate, main evidence for, 2 examples) for information on the meaning of certain question words.
• See information on learning and studying techniques on the SLC page for Exam Preparation .

Manage your time

• At the beginning of the exam, divide the time you have by the number of marks on the test to figure out how much time you should spend for each mark and each question. Leave time for review.
• If the exam is mixed format, do the multiple choice, true/ false or matching section first. These types of questions contain information that may help you answer the essay part.
• If you can choose which questions to answer, choose quickly and don’t change your mind.
• Start by answering the easiest question, progressing to the most difficult at the end.
• Generally write in sentences and paragraphs but switch to point form if you are running out of time.

Things to include and/or exclude in your answers

• Include general statements supported by specific details and examples.
• Discuss relationships between facts and concepts, rather than just listing facts.
• Include one item of information (concept, detail, or example) for every mark the essay is worth.
• Limit personal feelings/ anecdotes/ speculation unless specifically asked for these.

Follow a writing process

• Use the first 1/10 to 1/5 of time for a question to make an outline or concept map.
• Organize the plan around a central thesis statement.
• Order your subtopics as logically as possible, making for easier transitions in the essay.
• To avoid going off topic, stick to the outline as you write.
• Hand in the outline. Some professors or TAs may give marks for material written on it.
• Write the essay quickly, using clear, concise sentences.
• Include key words from the question in your thesis statement.
• Body paragraph each containing one main idea, with a topic sentence linking back to the thesis statement, and transition words (e.g.:  although, however) between paragraphs.
• A short summary as a conclusion, if you have time.
• If it is easier, leave a space for the introduction and write the body first.
• As you write, leave space for corrections/additional points by double-spacing.
• Review the essay to make sure its content matches your thesis statement.  If not, change the thesis.

Further sources and attribution

For more information on exam preparation and writing strategies, see our Exams  pages.

Some suggestions in this handout were adapted from “ Fastfacts – Short-Answer and Essay Exams” on the University of Guelph Library web site; “Resources – Exam Strategies” on the St. Francis Xavier University Writing Centre web site; and “Writing Tips – In-Class Essay Exams” and “Writing Tips – Standardized Test Essay Exams” on the Center for Writing Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign web site

How To Prepare For An English Essay Exam? 10 Must-Know Tips

As students, we often find ourselves at the crossroads of preparing for exams, each bringing its unique set of challenges and expectations. Among the diverse array of assessments, English essay exams stand out as a test of not just our knowledge but also our ability to convey it articulately and persuasively. Mastering the art of preparing for these exams is an invaluable skill, and in this blog, we’re going to delve into the comprehensive guide that can help you get an answer to – How To Prepare For An English Essay Exam?

Whether you’re in high school, or college, or pursuing an advanced degree, the tips and strategies you’ll discover here will empower you to approach English essay exams with confidence and competence. And, if you’re seeking additional support and guidance, remember that Ignite Training Institute offers the very best tutoring for English , helping you unlock your full potential.

Table of Contents

How To Prepare For An English Essay Exam? 10 Tips

5 accidental errors to avoid in your essay writing, what to include/exclude in essay writing, ignite training institute: best english tutors in dubai.

Preparing for an English essay exam demands a well-structured approach to effectively convey your thoughts and knowledge. Here are essential pointers to guide your preparation and ensure your success:

1. Understand Exam Structure

Begin by thoroughly understanding the exam format. This includes the number of questions you’ll be required to answer, the types of essays you’ll need to write, and any time constraints imposed. This foundational knowledge will help you plan your study and exam strategies more effectively.

2. Review Comprehensive Material

Revisit your class notes, textbooks, and any relevant reading materials. This comprehensive review ensures that you have a firm grasp of the topics and concepts that might be included in the exam. A deep understanding of the material will allow you to provide more insightful and well-supported responses.

3. Create A Study Schedule

Planning your study schedule is crucial. Allocate dedicated time for each topic or subject matter, ensuring you can cover all relevant material before the exam. Sticking to your schedule will help manage your time efficiently.

4. Practice Writing Essays

Practice makes perfect. Regularly write sample essays on a range of topics to enhance your writing skills. This practice not only helps you become more comfortable with the essay format but also sharpens your ability to express your ideas clearly and concisely.

5. Analyse Essay Prompts

Carefully dissect the essay prompts or questions you might encounter. Pay special attention to keywords like ‘analyze,’ ‘compare,’ or ‘discuss.’ Understanding these prompts thoroughly will help you tailor your responses to meet the specific requirements of each question.

6. Develop An Effective Outline

Before diving into your essays, create a structured outline. This should include sections for the introduction, main points or arguments, and a conclusion. A well-structured outline serves as a roadmap, helping you maintain a logical flow and coherence in your essays

7. Enhance Vocabulary

Broaden your lexicon by acquiring new words and idiomatic expressions. Incorporating these into your essays not only adds depth and richness to your writing but also showcases your command of the language, which can positively influence your exam results.

8. Proofread & Edit

After writing your essays, don’t overlook the importance of proofreading and editing. Conduct a comprehensive review of your work to pinpoint any grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Effective editing ensures that your essays are clear, and error-free, and convey your ideas effectively.

9. Seek Feedback

Share your practice essays with teachers, peers, or online writing communities. Constructive feedback can provide valuable insights into areas where you can improve, helping you refine your writing skills.

10. Master Time Management

During the exam, time management is crucial. Allocate a specific amount of time to each essay, but always reserve some time for reviewing and making any necessary revisions. Effective time management ensures that you can complete all essay questions within the allotted time frame and maintain the quality of your responses.

Related: 10 Tips On How To Prepare For English Board Exam Class 10

It’s essential to navigate the path of precision and clarity carefully. To ensure your writing shines, steer clear of these five accidental errors that can impact the quality and impact of your essays.

1. Grammatical & Spelling Mistakes

One of the most common errors in essay writing is grammatical and spelling mistakes. These errors can distract your readers and undermine the credibility of your writing. Always proofread your work carefully, and consider using grammar and spell-check tools to catch these errors.

2. Run-On Sentences & Sentence Fragments

Avoid overly long sentences that can make your writing confusing. At the same time, steer clear of sentence fragments that lack a subject or verb, as they disrupt the flow of your essay. Clear and effective communication relies on proper sentence structure.

3. Inconsistent Verb Tense

Maintain consistent verb tense throughout your essay. Shifting between past, present, and future tense can confuse your readers and disrupt the coherence of your writing. Choose a tense that suits your narrative and stick to it.

4. Misused Words & Homophones

Be vigilant about using the correct words and avoiding homophones (words that sound the same but have different meanings). Common examples include “there” and “their,” “your” and “you’re,” or “its” and “it’s.” Misusing these words can lead to misunderstandings.

5. Lack Of Clarity & Conciseness

Ensure your writing is clear and concise. Avoid unnecessary jargon, overly complex sentences, or vague language. Be direct and to the point, using words that convey your message effectively.

Related: 10 Tips On How To Get Full Marks In Class 9 Maths Exam

The following steps outline what to include and exclude in essay writing, ensuring clarity, relevance, and conciseness in your work.

Include This In Essay:

1. Clear Thesis Statement: Your essay should begin with a clear and concise thesis statement that presents the main argument or purpose of your essay.

2. Relevant Evidence: Support your thesis with appropriate and credible evidence, such as facts, statistics, examples, or expert quotations.

3. Structured Organisation: Organise your essay into well-structured paragraphs, each addressing a single idea or point. Ensure a logical flow from one paragraph to the next.

4. Transitions: Use transitional phrases and words to guide your readers through your essay seamlessly, maintaining coherence and clarity.

5. Analysis: Go beyond presenting facts by analyzing and interpreting them. Explain the significance of your evidence and how it supports your thesis.

Exclude This In Essay:

1. Irrelevant Information: Stay on topic and avoid including information that doesn’t directly relate to your thesis or purpose.

2. Plagiarism: Never use someone else’s work without proper citation. Engaging in plagiarism is morally wrong and may lead to severe repercussions.

3. Personal Opinions Without Support: While personal opinions are acceptable, they should be supported by evidence and analysis. Avoid unsupported assertions.

4. Complex Language Unnecessarily: Avoid using complex words or jargon for the sake of it. Make sure your writing is easily understandable for your target readers.

5. Redundancy: Do not repeat the same information or ideas throughout your essay. Aim for brevity and lucidity in your writing.

Related: AP Exam Test Dates 2024: A Student’s Guide To Strategize

Ignite Training Institute is a leading destination for English tutoring in Dubai. With a team of highly qualified and experienced English tutors, they provide top-notch language instruction that caters to various proficiency levels and objectives.

Whether you’re looking to improve your conversational skills, prepare for exams, or enhance your professional communication, Ignite Training Institute offers tailored programs to meet your specific needs. Their commitment to delivering results is backed by a track record of student success, making them the go-to choice for anyone seeking the best English tutoring services in Dubai.

1. How Can I Write An English Essay Fast? 

To write an English essay quickly, plan your essay structure, focus on your main points, and avoid perfectionism during the initial draft, reserving time for revisions and editing afterward.

2. How Can I Get Good Marks In Exam Essays?

To earn good marks in an exam essay, understand the essay prompt thoroughly, create a clear and structured outline, provide strong evidence, and ensure your writing is well-organized and error-free.

3. How Can I Write A Good English Essay?

To write a good English essay, clearly express a strong thesis, support it with well-researched evidence, and ensure your writing is coherent, well-structured, and free from grammatical and spelling errors.

In conclusion, preparing for an English essay exam is a journey that requires careful planning, practice, and a solid strategy. By understanding the exam format, reviewing the material diligently, practicing your writing skills, and managing your time effectively, you can boost your confidence and increase your chances of success. 

Remember, preparation is not just about acquiring knowledge; it’s about developing the ability to articulate your thoughts coherently and persuasively. So, embrace the process, stay focused, and with dedication, you can navigate your English essay exams with skill and assurance, achieving the results you aspire to. Good luck with your exams!

Related: Top 5 Easiest AP Exams: A Guide to Achieving Success

Ignite Training Institute

Recent posts.

• IGCSE Chemistry: AQA, Edexcel, & CIE Exam Boards Insights 
• A Levels Chemistry: AQA, Edexcel, & CIE Exam Boards Insights
• IGCSE Physics: AQA, CIE, & Edexcel Exam Boards Overview
• IBDP Syllabus Changes For 2025: Physics, Chemistry, & Biology 
• AP Courses For Engineering: Best Subjects To Prepare
• Advanced Placements (AP)
• British Curriculum
• Homeschooling
• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• Standardized Tests
• Subject Choices
• Uncategorized
• Universities

Get In Touch

Seek Expert Tutor Support in Dubai

Receive tailored academic support for IB, IGCSE, A-Levels, AP, ACT, EmSAT, & Homeschooling.

Read More Blogs

How To Score 95 In English Class 10 In 2024? Get Proven Tips

10 Tips On How To Get Good Grades In IB Curriculum Exams

IGCSE Exams 2023: Important Dates & How To Prepare Well

Claim your free consultation, get personalized advice for your tutoring needs, still confused on how to go forward, new batches targeting may’25 ap exams starting on 15th august'24, new batches targeting may’24 ap exams starting on 15th august'23.

The best ways to prepare for an essay exam

College students are often intimidated by essay exams, a common final exam format for courses in the humanities and social sciences. Because the exam itself provides so little structure for your answers, it can feel impossible to get all of your thoughts on paper in an organized way without running out of time. As someone who has graded a lot of college students’ exams, I’ve realized that students most often lose points because they don’t realize that an exam essay is a specific genre of writing that you can practice in advance , even if you don’t know the exact questions you’ll be answering. By developing a strategy for success in writing exam essays, you’ll be able to make sure that the material you worked hard all semester to learn shows up in your answers on the day of the test.

Before the Exam

1. brainstorm possible exam questions..

A good way to do this is to make two lists: one of all the lessons or units you’ve covered (for example, all the authors you’ve read for an English class, or all the historical events you’ve covered in a history class), and another of all the major concepts and key terms that you’ve talked about in the class. Then you can mix and match items from these lists to form potential questions. For example, if you were taking a theatre class, you might come up with a question like, “How do Eugene O’Neill and Tennessee Williams use the techniques of psychological realism?”. O’Neill and Williams would come from your list of authors, and psychological realism would come from your list of key terms.

Other good examples of exam questions are discussion questions your instructor asked in class and any prompts you had for papers during the semester. While it’s unlikely your instructor will replicate any of these exact questions on the exam, reviewing what kinds of questions she asks will help you remember what key terms or concepts are particularly important to her. Write down several sample questions and outline the main ideas you would want to include in your answer.

2. Practice your essay-writing strategy using your sample questions.

I recommend practicing the three steps with a timer set for five minutes—these steps are for preparing and organizing an essay (not actually writing it), so you want to practice doing them relatively quickly. They’ll give you a clear structure to fill in.

The first thing to do when you start an essay is to quickly brainstorm a list of everything you can think of in relationship to that question: key terms, details, facts, dates, authors—whatever seems relevant. This should just be a quick task of getting everything in your head on paper.

Then figure out your claim . Answers to essay questions should have an argument that clearly answers the question and that makes a claim that is debatable (as opposed to factual or descriptive). If you’re having trouble, an easy format for writing an argument is “Although ____________, ______________.” For example, your claim could be, “Although both O’Neill and Williams use realism in their plays, Williams is more interested in how psychological realism can be achieved through design elements.” (This format works especially well for compare-contrast questions.)

Finally, outline the essay. The argument will come first, in the introduction, and then map out the main point you want to cover in each body paragraph.

During the Exam

1. keep track of time..

When the exam starts, write down the end time, and then write down when you should finish each section—for example, if it’s a three-hour exam, and you have five essays to write, you might choose to give yourself 30 minutes per essay, which leaves you 30 minutes at the end to reread your work. Make sure you stick to your schedule—you don’t want to spend a lot of time perfecting one essay and then run out of time for the rest. Many instructors will give partial credit even for an unfinished or messy essay, but they can’t give you any points for an essay you didn’t write at all. 

2. Follow the essay-writing strategy you practiced: list, claim, outline, write .

Don’t bother including big general statements like, “Playwrights are always interested in psychology,” in your essays—just get straight to the specific points you want to cover. Sticking to your outline will help keep your essay organized, which will make it easier for you to cover all your main points in the available time. Staying organized will also make it easier for your instructor to follow your train of thought when she’s grading.

Most of what you write in an essay is analysis of how the evidence you’ve chosen supports the argument you’re making. If you get stuck writing, ask yourself, “How does this evidence support my claim?” . 

3. Go in confident.

You know you’re well-prepared—don’t let nerves get in your way! Eat a good breakfast, listen to your favorite song on the way to the exam, bring a bottle of water and lots of extra pens and pencils, and show up early. (And if you have a mental health condition or learning disability that can lead to test-taking anxiety, talk to the office of disability services at your school well in advance of the exam. They may be able to provide you with test-taking accommodations like a quiet room or extra time.) An essay exam is a chance for you to show off what you’ve learned this semester—it’s not meant to trick you. (Multiple choice exams are actually the place to worry about trick questions.) Instructors generally want you to do well on the final exam, so try to think of the exam as a great capstone for your hard work in the class. Good luck! 

After growing up on a farm in Iowa, Danielle moved to Massachusetts, where she studied English with a citation (minor) in Spanish at Harvard University. At Harvard, Danielle was elected to Phi Beta Kappa as a junior and graduated summa cum laude a year later. She spent most of her free time in college in the theatre shop, building sets with power tools.  Danielle went on to earn her Master's degree in Renaissance Literature at the University of Cambridge, before accepting a Global Academic Fellowship in Writing at New York University Abu Dhabi for the following year. She is currently a PhD student in English and Theatre, and a member of the Institute for Comparative Literature and Society, at Columbia University.

Related Content

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to study for a test: 17 expert tips.

Other High School

Do you have a big exam coming up, but you're not sure how to prepare for it? Are you looking to improve your grades or keep them strong but don't know the best way to do this? We're here to help! In this guide, we've compiled the 17 best tips for how to study for a test. No matter what grade you're in or what subject you're studying, these tips will give you ways to study faster and more effectively. If you're tired of studying for hours only to forget everything when it comes time to take a test, follow these tips so you can be well prepared for any exam you take.

How to Study for a Test: General Tips

The four tips below are useful for any test or class you're preparing for. Learn the best way to study for a test from these tips and be prepared for any future exams you take.

#1: Stick to a Study Schedule

If you're having trouble studying regularly, creating a study schedule can be a huge help. Doing something regularly helps your mind get used to it. If you set aside a time to regularly study and stick to it, it'll eventually become a habit that's (usually) easy to stick to. Getting into a fixed habit of studying will help you improve your concentration and mental stamina over time. And, just like any other training, your ability to study will improve with time and effort.

Take an honest look at your schedule (this includes schoolwork, extracurriculars, work, etc.) and decide how often you can study without making your schedule too packed. Aim for at least an hour twice a week. Next, decide when you want to study, such as Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 7-8pm, and stick to your schedule . In the beginning, you may need to tweak your schedule, but you'll eventually find the study rhythm that works best for you. The important thing is that you commit to it and study during the same times each week as often as possible.

#2: Start Studying Early and Study for Shorter Periods

Some people can cram for several hours the night before the test and still get a good grade. However, this is rarer than you may hope. Most people need to see information several times, over a period of time, for them to really commit it to memory. This means that, instead of doing a single long study session, break your studying into smaller sessions over a longer period of time. Five one-hour study sessions over a week will be less stressful and more effective than a single five-hour cram session. It may take a bit of time for you to learn how long and how often you need to study for a class, but once you do you'll be able to remember the information you need and reduce some of the stress that comes from schoolwork, tests, and studying.

#3: Remove Distractions

When you're studying, especially if it's for a subject you don't enjoy, it can be extremely tempting to take "quick breaks" from your work. There are untold distractions all around us that try to lure our concentration away from the task at hand. However, giving in to temptation can be an awful time suck. A quick glance at your phone can easily turn into an hour of wasting time on the internet, and that won't help you get the score you're looking for. In order to avoid distractions, remove distractions completely from your study space.

Eat a meal or a snack before you begin studying so you're not tempted to rummage through the fridge as a distraction. Silence your phone and keep it in an entirely different room. If you're studying on a computer, turn your WIFI off if it's not essential to have. Make a firm rule that you can't get up to check on whatever has you distracted until your allotted study time is up.

#4: Reward Yourself When You Hit a Milestone

To make studying a little more fun, give yourself a small reward whenever you hit a study milestone. For example, you might get to eat a piece of candy for every 25 flashcards you test yourself on, or get to spend 10 minutes on your phone for every hour you spend studying. You can also give yourself larger rewards for longer-term goals, such as going out to ice cream after a week of good study habits. Studying effectively isn't always easy, and by giving yourself rewards, you'll keep yourself motivated.

Our pets are not the only ones who deserve rewards.

Tips for Learning and Remembering Information

While the default method of studying is reading through class notes, this is actually one of the least effective ways of learning and remembering information. In this section we cover four much more useful methods. You'll notice they all involve active learning, where you're actively reworking the material, rather than just passively reading through notes. Active studying has been shown to be a much more effective way to understand and retain information, and it's what we recommend for any test you're preparing for.

#5: Rewrite the Material in Your Own Words

It can be easy to get lost in a textbook and look back over a page, only to realize you don't remember anything about what you just read. Fortunately, there's a way to avoid this.

For any class that requires lots of reading, be sure to stop periodically as you read. Pause at the end of a paragraph/page/chapter (how much you can read at once and still remember clearly will likely depend on the material you're reading) and—without looking!—think about what the text just stated. Re-summarize it in your own words, and write down bullet points if that helps. Now, glance back over the material and make sure you summarized the information accurately and included all the important details. Take note of whatever you missed, then pick up your reading where you left off.

Whether you choose to summarize the text aloud or write down notes, re-wording the text is a very effective study tool. By rephrasing the text in your own words, you're ensuring you're actually remembering the information and absorbing its meaning, rather than just moving your eyes across a page without taking in what you're reading.

#6: Make Flashcards

Flashcards are a popular study tool for good reason! They're easy to make, easy to carry around, easy to pull out for a quick study session, and they're a more effective way of studying than just reading through pages of notes. Making your own flashcards is especially effective because you'll remember more information just through the act of writing it down on the cards. For any subjects in which you must remember connections between terms and information, such as formulas, vocabulary, equations, or historical dates, flashcards are the way to go. We recommend using the Waterfall Method when you study with flashcards since it's the fastest way to learn all the material on the cards.

#7: Teach the Material to Someone Else

Teaching someone else is a great way to organize the information you've been studying and check your grasp of it. It also often shows you that you know more of the material than you think! Find a study-buddy, or a friend/relative/pet or even just a figurine or stuffed animal and explain the material to them as if they're hearing about it for the first time. Whether the person you're teaching is real or not, teaching material aloud requires you to re-frame the information in new ways and think more carefully about how all the elements fit together. The act of running through the material in this new way also helps you more easily lock it in your mind.

#8: Make Your Own Study Guides

Even if your teacher provides you with study guides, we highly recommend making your own study materials. Just making the materials will help the information sink into your mind, and when you make your own study guides, you can customize them to the way you learn best, whether that's flashcards, images, charts etc. For example, if you're studying for a biology test, you can draw your own cell and label the components, make a Krebs cycle diagram, map out a food chain, etc. If you're a visual learner (or just enjoy adding images to your study materials), include pictures and diagrams.

Sometimes making your own charts and diagrams will mean recreating the ones in your textbook from memory, and sometimes it will mean putting different pieces of information together yourself. Whatever the diagram type and whatever the class, writing your information down and making pictures out of it will be a great way to help you remember the material.

How to Study for a History Test

History tests are notorious for the amount of facts and dates you need to know. Make it easier to retain the information by using these two tips.

#9: Know Causes and Effects

It's easy and tempting to simply review long lists of dates of important events, but this likely won't be enough for you to do well on a history test, especially if it has any writing involved. Instead of only learning the important dates of, say, WWI, focus on learning the factors that led to the war and what its lasting impacts on the world were. By understanding the cause and effects of major events, you'll be able to link them to the larger themes you're learning in history class. Also, having more context about an event can often make it easier to remember little details and dates that go along with it.

#10: Make Your Own Timelines

Sometimes you need to know a lot of dates for a history test. In these cases, don't think passively reading your notes is enough. Unless you have an amazing memory, it'll take you a long time for all those dates to sink into your head if you only read through a list of them. Instead, make your own timeline.

Make your first timeline very neat, with all the information you need to know organized in a way that makes sense to you (this will typically be chronologically, but you may also choose to organize it by theme). Make this timeline as clear and helpful as you can, using different colors, highlighting important information, drawing arrows to connecting information, etc. Then, after you've studied enough to feel you have a solid grasp of the dates, rewrite your timeline from memory. This one doesn't have to be neat and organized, but include as much information as you remember. Continue this pattern of studying and writing timelines from memory until you have all the information memorized.

Know which direction events occur in to prepare for history tests.

How to Study for a Math Test

Math tests can be particularly intimating to many students, but if you're well-prepared for them, they're often straightforward.

#11: Redo Homework Problems

More than most tests, math tests usually are quite similar to the homework problems you've been doing. This means your homework contains dozens of practice problems you can work through. Try to review practice problems from every topic you'll be tested on, and focus especially on problems that you struggled with. Remember, don't just review how you solved the problem the first time. Instead, rewrite the problem, hide your notes, and solve it from scratch. Check your answer when you're finished. That'll ensure you're committing the information to memory and actually have a solid grasp of the concepts.

#12: Make a Formula Sheet

You're likely using a lot of formulas in your math class, and it can be hard remembering what they are and when to use them. Throughout the year, as you learn a new important formula, add it to a formula sheet you've created. For each formula, write out the formula, include any notes about when to use it, and include a sample problem that uses the formula. When your next math test rolls around, you'll have a useful guide to the key information you've been learning.

How to Study for an English Test

Whether your English test involves writing or not, here are two tips to follow as you prepare for it.

#13: Take Notes as You Read

When you're assigned reading for English class, it can be tempting to get through the material as quickly as possible and then move on to something else. However, this is not a good way to retain information, and come test day, you may be struggling to remember a lot of what you read. Highlighting important passages is also too passive a way to study. The way to really retain the information you read is to take notes. This takes more time and effort, but it'll help you commit the information to memory. Plus, when it comes time to study, you'll have a handy study guide ready and won't have to frantically flip through the book to try to remember what you read. The more effort you put into your notes, the more helpful they'll be. Consider organizing them by theme, character, or however else makes sense to you.

#14: Create Sample Essay Outlines

If the test you're taking requires you to write an essay, one of the best ways to be prepared is to develop essay outlines as you study. First, think about potential essay prompts your teacher might choose you to write about. Consider major themes, characters, plots, literary comparisons, etc., you discussed in class, and write down potential essay prompts. Just doing this will get you thinking critically about the material and help you be more prepared for the test.

Next, write outlines for the prompts you came up with (or, if you came up with a lot of prompts, choose the most likely to outline). These outlines don't need to contain much information, just your thesis and a few key points for each body paragraph. Even if your teacher chooses a different prompt than what you came up with, just thinking about what to write about and how you'll organize your thoughts will help you be more prepared for the test.

Fancy pen and ink not required to write essay outlines.

What to Do the Night Before the Test

Unfortunately, the night before a test is when many students make study choices that actually hurt their chances of getting a good grade. These three tips will help you do some final review in a way that helps you be at the top of your game the next day.

#15: Get Enough Sleep

One of the absolute best ways to prepare for a test-any test-is to be well-rested when you sit down to take it. Staying up all night cramming information isn't an effective way of studying, and being tired the next day can seriously impact your test-taking skills. Aim to get a solid eight hours of sleep the night before the test so that you can wake up refreshed and at the top of your test-taking game.

#16: Review Major Concepts

It can be tempting to try to go through all your notes the night before a test to review as much information as possible, but this will likely only leave you stressed to and overwhelmed by the information you're trying to remember. If you've been regularly reviewing information throughout the class, you shouldn't need much more than a quick review of major ideas, and perhaps a few smaller details you have difficulty remembering. Even if you've gotten behind on studying and are trying to review a lot of information, resist the information to cram and focus on only a few major topics. By keeping your final night review manageable, you have a better chance of committing that information to memory, and you'll avoid lack of sleep from late night cramming.

#17: Study Right Before You Go to Sleep

Studies have shown that if you review material right before you go to sleep, you have better memory recall the next day. (This is also true if you study the information right when you wake up.) This doesn't mean you should cram all night long (remember tip #15), but if there are a few key pieces of information you especially want to review or are having trouble committing to memory, review them right before you go to bed. Sweet dreams!

Summary: The Best Way to Study for a Test

If you're not sure how to study for a test effectively, you might end up wasting hours of time only to find that you've barely learned anything at all. Overall, the best way to study for a test, whether you want to know how to study for a math test or how to study for a history test, is to study regularly and practice active learning. Cramming information and trying to remember things just by looking over notes will rarely get you the score you want. Even though the tips we suggest do take time and effort on your part, they'll be worth it when you get the score you're working towards.

What's Next?

Want tips specifically on how to study for AP exams? We've outlined the f ive steps you need to follow to ace your AP classes.

Taking the SAT and need study tips? Our guide has every study tip you should follow to reach your SAT goal score.

Or are you taking the ACT instead? We've got you covered! Read our guide to learn four different ways to study for the ACT so you can choose the study plan that's best for you.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

Essay on How to Prepare For Exams

Exams are held to check the knowledge and potential of the students. Exams are like filters that assess the students of different sections. Many of us have exam phobia. We undergo a condition of tension and depression before the arrival of the examination. An unwanted fear distracts us from concentrating on our topics for the exam. The examination period becomes very difficult for us as we do not know where to start. We are confused with different queries in mind.

Short and Long Essay on How to Prepare For Exams in English

Essay on How to Prepare For Exams for students of class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and class 12 in English in 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 500 words. Also find short How to Prepare For Exams essay 10 lines.

How to Prepare For Exams Essay 10 Lines (100 – 150 Words)

1) Exams are the critical periods of a student’s life.

2) Try to complete the entire syllabus before the commencement of exams.

3) Prefer smart study rather than studying the whole day and night.

4) You can solve previous years’ question papers for more confidence.

5) Revise all the chapters at least twice for remembrance.

6) Take sufficient sleep during the preparation to boost your memory.

7) Take 45 minutes of rest between the continuous study routine.

8) It is necessary to stay motivated while preparing for the exams.

9) Studying in the morning will make you understand things quickly.

10) Proper planning and time management helps in preparing for the exams.

Short Essay 250 Words – Smart Study for Exam Preparation

Introduction

The examination is a common thing that we all have faced in our life. It might be the examination in school, colleges, entrance, competitions, etc. These examinations help us in evaluating our knowledge and potential. We cannot escape from this and therefore always be ready to face it with good preparation to become successful in life.

Smart Study for Exam Preparation

Students have to face examinations either they are in school or college life. They get promoted to higher sections only after going through the examination. As the exams are closer the level of tension in students gets doubled. The smart way of studying helps us in doing good preparation for exams. It will also be beneficial for students who do not have studied regularly and have only last time for exam preparation.

• Read the important topics.
• Solve the previous year’s exam papers.
• Give more time to the subject that is weak.
• Never care about the preparations of the others.
• Eat nutritious food and sleep on time to be healthy and fit.
• Stay motivated and take necessary breaks after 45 minutes of studies.

Computer and Internet aids in preparation for Exams

The students get good tips for exam preparation with the help of the internet and computers. Every type of information along with different chapters with their videos is available on the internet. This might help the students to prepare for the difficult chapters.

Conclusio n

The entire life is like an examination and we need to do good preparation to get success at every step of life. The examination makes us more confident about the knowledge and potential that we possess. We must do our best efforts for exam preparation instead of developing fear from exams or waiting for the last moment preparation. The better we do today is the best we get tomorrow.

A long essay has been provided that contains different ways to prepare for the examination. I hope it might be very helpful to all the students regularly facing this fear.

How to Prepare for Exams and Get Rid of Exam Fear – Long Essay (1000 Words)

Exam time is one of the most difficult times in the life of students. They have to totally dedicate themselves to understand the syllabus and clear out the topics to be studied. It might be easy for the students who are regularly studying but not for all. I think during the exam period every student faces some problems and these problems create unwanted tension and fear from the examination. The parents and students both are bothered equally during examination months.

What are the Exams?

It is the way of accessing the student’s capability by conducting oral or written tests for different subjects. Generally, the months of March and April are termed examination months. The students start worrying and preparing notes to prepare for the examination. The parents of the students are also fully involved with them to guide their children during the examination. Exams are only the steps that upon passing will let us step ahead in our life and further help in achieving our aim.

What should Students do to Relieve the Stress of Examination?

Generally, we become much stressed as the exam months are closer. A lot of confusion exists within our minds. After getting the date sheet we become tenser as it is very difficult to decide what to prepare and how to prepare in an efficient way and score good marks. Many of us have pressure to bring excellent grades in the examination. It has always been seen that sometimes due to excessive stress the good students also score average marks.

Ways to Prepare for Exams:

There are many ways that might help us in getting relieved from the stress during the examination period. These techniques will not only help us relieve our stress but will also help us to score good marks in our examination.

• Begin by Planning – It is very necessary to develop a time table or study plan before starting our studies for examination. It will help us in deciding which subject to be prepared first and what to prepare at last. We can divide time for different subjects. More time can be given to our weaker subjects. This strategy will give us proper time designation for different subjects and each subject can be covered within a certain time. We must assure that we concentrate on studying the subject at the time allocated for the same. We can also refer to the previous year’s question papers to get an idea of the type of question paper and prepare accordingly.
• Develop the Habit of Studying in the Morning – Morning time is the best and appropriate time to study. Our mind and body are more energetic and stress-free during the early morning time. The subject matter can easily be understood and well reminded if we study during the morning hours.
• Best Way to Memorize whatever Read – Reading and writing are the two skills of learning. Many times it happens that we study and memorize different things by both reading and writing and while writing in exams we forget everything. Therefore in order to memorize whatever we have studied, we have to start studying in an efficient way. After studying we can explain the same to our friends or to ourselves. In this way, we can memorize the things we have studied for a longer time. We should not study continuously but take a short break after every 2-3 hours of study.
• Perform Workouts – A 10-20 minutes exercise will help us in managing the stress. This will make us more energetic and also help us to remain fit during exam time.
• Change the Place of Study – It sometimes happens that studying at the same place daily make us feel bored and less concentrated. We can change our place of study. We can sit sometimes in the garden or outside to study. The scene of nature will make us feel better and thus we can concentrate better on our studies.
• A Smart and Efficient Way of Studying – These days we are benefitted from different aid of learning and understanding the subjects. We can study by the visual, models, kinesthetic ways of learning methods. It is difficult to understand the theoretical concepts for many of us. We can study them by figures and flow charts. We can also opt for a group study with our friends.
• Be Healthy and Fit – We must remember that we have to be well and fit during the examination time. We have to take much care of ourselves. We need to sleep well, take a healthy diet, and do meditation to keep ourselves healthy and fit.
• Try to Study by Co-Relating different Subjects – In this universe, everything is directly or indirectly related to each other. Therefore we can study different subjects by co-relating different subjects. It will make our study easier and is a better way of understanding the concept. Co-relative studies are the best approach to make different subject studies more interesting.
• Be Optimistic – The exam time will not remain forever. It will also fly like a moment of time. The thoughts of enjoying and doing different activities after exams are over will motivate and help us to concentrate during the exams.

Are Preparation Strategies Really Helpful in Getting Rid of Exam Fear?

A lot of effort is required to win any competition in the same way exams need different preparation techniques to score well in exams. This can only happen when we prepare for our exams before our exams. It is not possible to become a topper at the last moment of preparation. The pre-exam strategies help us to prepare in a better way and also relieve our fear of the exam. The clearing of exams will promote us to a higher level and bring us close to our aim. In this way, we can state that efficient strategies are helpful in bringing us out of fear of the exams. Instead, it will motivate us to prepare for our exams in a better way.

The preparation of the examination requires the skill of time management. Everything is possible if we do things on time. We cannot depend on the last day for the preparation for the exam. The last day is meant for the revision and going through the underlined topics. We need to have sound sleep before every exam so that our mind is fresh and energetic on the day of the exam. If we follow the techniques for preparing for exams we can score well in our exams.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Ans . The exam was invented by an American businessman and philanthropist Henry Fischel.

Ans . Exams are important as it helps us to know our knowledge and potential.

Ans . The UPSC Civil Services Examination is considered the toughest exam in India.

Ans . It was Ancient China to conduct a test in the whole world known as imperial examination to fill the government vacancies.

Ans . Exams are the oral or written tests conducted to evaluate the knowledge and progress of students.

Related Posts

Essay on digital india, cashless india essay, essay on child is father of the man, essay on causes, effects and prevention of corona virus, essay on dr. sarvepalli radhakrishnan, durga puja essay, essay on summer vacation, essay on my plans for summer vacation, essay on holiday.

Cramming for an exam isn’t the best way to learn – but if you have to do it, here’s how

Senior Teaching Fellow in Education, University of Strathclyde

Disclosure statement

Jonathan Firth does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

University of Strathclyde provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.

View all partners

Around the country, school and university students are hitting the books in preparation for exams. If you are in this position, you may find yourself trying to memorise information that you first learned a long time ago and have completely forgotten – or that you didn’t actually learn effectively in the first place.

Unfortunately, cramming is a very inefficient way to properly learn. But sometimes it’s necessary to pass an exam. And you can incorporate what we know about how learning works into your revision to make it more effective.

Read more: Exams: seven tips for coping with revision stress

A great deal of research evidence on how memory works over time shows that we forget new information very quickly at first, after which the process of forgetting slows down.

In practice, this means that very compressed study schedules lead to a catastrophic amount of forgetting.

A better option is to space out learning a particular topic more gradually and over a longer period. This is called the “spacing effect” and it leads to skills and knowledge being retained better, and for longer.

Research has found that we remember information better when we leave a gap of time between first studying something and revisiting it, rather than doing so straight away. This even works for short timescales – a delay of a few seconds when trying to learn a small piece of information, such as a pair of words, for instance. And it also works when the delay between study sessions is much longer .

In the classroom , spacing out practice could mean reviewing and practising material the next day, or delaying homework by a couple of weeks, rather than revisiting it as soon as possible. As a rule, psychologists have suggested that the best time to re-study material is when it is on the verge of being forgotten – not before, but also not after.

But this isn’t how things are learned across the school year. When students get to exam time, they have forgotten much of what was previously studied.

Better cramming

When it comes to actually learning – being able to remember information over the long term and apply it to new situations – cramming doesn’t work. We can hardly call it “learning” if information is forgotten a month later. But if you need to pass an exam, cramming can lead to a boost in temporary performance. What’s more, you can incorporate the spacing effect into your cramming to make it more efficient.

It’s better to space practising knowledge of a particular topic out over weeks, so if you have that long before a key exam, plan your revision schedule so you cover topics more than once. Rather than allocating one block of two hours for a particular topic, study it for one hour this week and then for another hour in a week or so’s time.

If you don’t have that much time, it’s still worth incorporating smaller gaps between practice sessions. If your exam is tomorrow, practice key topics in the morning today and then again in the evening.

Learning is also more effective if you actively retrieve information from your memory, rather than re-reading or underlining your notes. A good way to do this, incorporating the spacing effect, is to take practice tests. Revise a topic from your notes or textbook, take a half-hour break, and then take a practice test without help from your books.

An even simpler technique is a “brain dump” . After studying and taking a break, write down everything you can remember about the topic on a blank sheet of paper without checking your notes.

Change the way we teach

A shift in teaching practices may be needed to avoid students having to cram material they only half-remember before exams.

But my research suggests that teachers tend to agree with the idea that consolidation of a topic should happen as soon as possible, rather than spacing out practice in ways that would actually be more effective.

Teachers are overburdened and make heroic efforts with the time they have. But incorporating the spacing effect into teaching needn’t require radical changes to how teachers operate. Often, it’s as simple as doing the same thing on a different schedule .

Research has shown the most effective way to combine practice testing and the spacing effect is to engage in practice testing in the initial class, followed by at least three practice opportunities at widely spaced intervals. This is quite possible within the typical pattern of the school year.

For example, after the initial class, further practice could come via a homework task after a few days’ delay, then some kind of test or mock exam after a further gap of time. The revision period before exams would then be the third opportunity for consolidation.

Building effective self-testing and delayed practice into education would spell less stress and less ineffective cramming. Exam time would be for consolidation, rather than re-learning things that have been forgotten. The outcome would be better long-term retention of important knowledge and skills. As a bonus, school students would also gain a better insight into how to study effectively.

• Motivate me

Director, Social Policy

Coordinator, Academic Advising

Head, School of Psychology

Senior Research Fellow - Women's Health Services

Lecturer / Senior Lecturer - Marketing

Celebrating 150 years of Harvard Summer School. Learn about our history.

14 Tips for Test Taking Success

Worried about getting through your next big exam? Here are 14 test taking strategies that can help you do your best on your next test.

Mary Sharp Emerson

From pop quizzes to standardized tests, exams are an important part of the life of every high school student.

The best way to ensure that you’ll get the grade you want is to understand the material thoroughly. Good test taking skills, however, can help make the difference between a top grade and an average one. Mastering these skills can also help reduce stress and relieve test-taking anxiety. 

In this blog, we’ve divided our tips for test taking into two categories: seven things you can do to prepare for your next exam and seven things you should do once the test begins. We’ve also included four strategies that can help with test taking anxiety.

We hope these test taking tips will help you succeed the next time you are facing an exam, big or small!

Seven Best Strategies for Test Prep

You’ve probably heard the quote (originally credited to Alexander Graham Bell): “Preparation is the key to success.”

When it comes to test taking, these are words to live by. 

Here are the seven best things you can do to make sure you are prepared for your next test.

1. Cultivate Good Study Habits

Understanding and remembering information for a test takes time, so developing good study habits long before test day is really important. 

Do your homework assignments carefully, and turn them in on time. Review your notes daily. Write out your own study guides. Take advantage of any practice tests your teacher gives you, or even create your own. 

These simple steps, when done habitually, will help ensure that you really know your stuff come test day. 

2. Don’t “Cram”

It might seem like a good idea to spend hours memorizing the material you need the night before the test.

In fact, cramming for a test is highly counterproductive. Not only are you less likely to retain the information you need, cramming also increases stress, negatively impacts sleep, and decreases your overall preparedness.

So avoid the temptation to stay up late reviewing your notes. Last minute cramming is far less likely to improve your grade than developing good study habits and getting a good night’s sleep.

3. Gather Materials the Night Before

Before going to bed (early, so you get a good night’s sleep), gather everything you need for the test and have it ready to go. 

Having everything ready the night before will help you feel more confident and will minimize stress on the morning of the test. And it will give you a few extra minutes to sleep and eat a healthy breakfast.

4. Get a Good Night’s Sleep

And speaking of sleep…showing up to your test well-rested is one of the best things you can do to succeed on test day.

Why should you make sleep a priority ? A good night’s sleep will help you think more clearly during the test. It will also make it easier to cope with test-taking stress and anxiety. Moreover, excellent sleep habits have been shown to consolidate memory and improve academic performance, as well as reduce the risk of depression and other mental health disorders. 

5. Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Like sleeping, eating is an important part of self-care and test taking preparation. After all, it’s hard to think clearly if your stomach is grumbling.

As tough as it can be to eat when you’re nervous or rushing out the door, plan time in your morning on test day to eat a healthy breakfast. 

A mix of complex carbohydrates and healthy protein will keep you feeling full without making you feel sluggish. Whole wheat cereal, eggs, oatmeal, berries, and nuts may be great choices (depending on your personal dietary needs and preferences). It’s best to avoid foods that are high in sugar, as they can give you a rush of energy that will wear off quickly, leaving you feeling tired.

And don’t forget to drink plenty of water. If possible, bring a bottle of water with you on test day.

6. Arrive Early

Arriving early at a test location can help decrease stress. And it allows you to get into a positive state of mind before the test starts. 

Choose your seat as soon as possible. Organize your materials so they are readily available when you need them. Make sure you are physically comfortable (as much as possible). 

By settling in early, you are giving yourself time to get organized, relaxed, and mentally ready for the test to begin. Even in a high school setting, maximizing the time you have in the test classroom—even if it’s just a couple of minutes—can help you feel more comfortable, settled, and focused before the test begins. 

7. Develop Positive Rituals

Don’t underestimate the importance of confidence and a positive mindset in test preparation. 

Positive rituals can help combat negative thinking, test anxiety, and lack of focus that can easily undermine your success on test day. Plan some extra time to go for a short walk or listen to your favorite music. Engage in simple breathing exercises. Visualize yourself succeeding on the test. 

Your rituals can be totally unique to you. The important thing is developing a calming habit that will boost your confidence, attitude, and concentration when the test begins.

Explore College Programs for High School Students at Harvard Summer School.

Seven Best Test-Taking Tips for Success

You have gotten a good night’s sleep, eaten a healthy breakfast, arrived early, and done your positive test-day ritual. You are ready to start the test! 

Different types of tests require different test taking strategies. You may not want to approach a math test the same way you would an essay test, for example. And some computerized tests such as SATs require you to work through the test in a specific way.

However, there are some general test taking strategies that will improve your chances of getting the grade you want on most, if not all, tests. 

1. Listen to the Instructions

Once the test is front of you, it’s tempting to block everything out so you can get started right away. 

Doing so, however, could cause you to miss out on critical information about the test itself.

The teacher or proctor may offer details about the structure of the test, time limitations, grading techniques, or other items that could impact your approach. They may also point out steps that you are likely to miss or other tips to help improve your chances of success. 

So be sure to pay close attention to their instructions before you get started.

2. Read the Entire Test

If possible, look over the entire test quickly before you get started. Doing so will help you understand the structure of the test and identify areas that may need more or less time. 

Once you read over the test, you can plan out how you want to approach each section of the test to ensure that you can complete the entire test within the allotted time.

3. Do a “Brain Dump”

For certain types of tests, remembering facts, data, or formulas is key. For these tests, it can be helpful to take a few minutes to write down all the information you need on a scrap paper before you get started. 

Putting that important information on paper can relieve stress and help you focus on the test questions without worrying about your ability to recall the facts. And now you have a kind of “cheat sheet” to refer to throughout the test!

4. Answer the Questions You Know First

When possible, do a first pass through the test to answer the “easy” questions or the ones you know right away. When you come to a question that you can’t answer (relatively) quickly, skip it on this first pass. 

Don’t rush through this first pass, but do be mindful of time—you’ll want to leave yourself enough time to go back and answer the questions you skipped. 

* It’s important to remember that this technique is not possible on some tests. Standardized computer-based tests often do not allow you to skip questions and return to them later. On these types of tests, you will need to work through each problem in order instead of skipping around. 

5. Answer the Questions You Skipped

Once you’ve done a first pass, you now have to go back and answer the questions you skipped.

In the best case scenario, you might find some of these questions aren’t as challenging as you thought at first. Your mind is warmed up and you are fully engaged and focused at this point in the test. And answering the questions you know easily may have reminded you of the details you need for these questions.

Of course you may still struggle with some of the questions, and that’s okay. Hopefully doing a first pass somewhat quickly allows you to take your time with the more challenging questions.

6. Be Sure the Test is Complete

Once you think you’ve answered all the questions, double check to make sure you didn’t miss any. Check for additional questions on the back of the paper, for instance, or other places that you might have missed or not noticed during your initial read-through.

A common question is whether you should skip questions that you can’t answer. It’s not possible to answer that question in a general sense: it depends on the specific test and the teacher’s rules. It may also depend on the value of each individual question, and whether your teacher gives partial credit.

But, if you’re not penalized for a wrong answer or you are penalized for leaving an answer blank, it is probably better to put something down than nothing.

7. Check Your Work

Finally, if you have time left, go back through the test and check your answers. 

Read over short answer and essay questions to check for typos, points you may have missed, or better ways to phrase your answers. If there were multiple components to the question, make sure you answered all of them. Double check your answers on math questions in case you made a small error that impacts the final answer. You don’t want to overthink answers, but a doublecheck can help you find—and correct—obvious mistakes.

Four Ways to Cope with Test-Taking Anxiety

Nearly every student gets nervous before a test at some point, especially if the exam is an important one. If you are lucky, your pre-test nervousness is mild and can be mitigated by these test taking tips. 

A mild case of nerves can even be somewhat beneficial (if uncomfortable); the surge of adrenaline at the root of a nervous feeling can keep you focused and energized.

For some students, however, test taking anxiety—a form of performance anxiety—can be debilitating and overwhelming. This level of anxiety can be extremely difficult to cope with. 

However, there are a few things you can do before and during a test to help cope with more severe stress and anxiety:

1. Take a Meditation or Sitting Stretch Break

Take a minute or two before or even during a test to focus on your breathing, relax tense muscles, do a quick positive visualization, or stretch your limbs. The calming effect can be beneficial and worth a few minutes of test time. 

2. Replace Negative Thoughts with Positive Ones

Learn to recognize when your brain is caught in a cycle of negative thinking and practice turning negative thoughts into positive ones. For example, when you catch yourself saying “I’m going to fail”, force yourself to say “I’m going to succeed” instead. With practice, this can be a powerful technique to break the cycle of negative thinking undermining your confidence.

3. Mistakes are Learning Opportunities

It’s easy to get caught up in worrying about a bad grade. Instead, remind yourself that it’s ok to make mistakes. A wrong answer on a test is an opportunity to understand where you need to fill in a gap in your knowledge or spend some extra time studying. 

4. Seek Professional Help

Test taking anxiety is very real and should be taken seriously. If you find that your anxiety does not respond to these calming tips, it’s time to seek professional help. Your guidance counselor or a therapist may be able to offer long-term strategies for coping with test taking anxiety. Talk with your parents or guardians about finding someone to help you cope.

Following these test taking tips can’t guarantee that you will get an A on your next big test. Only hard work and lots of study time can do that. 

However, these test taking strategies can help you feel more confident and perform better on test day. Tests may be an inevitable part of student life, but with preparation and confidence, you can succeed on them all!

Sign up for our mailing list for important information about Harvard Summer School.

About the Author

Digital Content Producer

Emerson is a Digital Content Producer at Harvard DCE. She is a graduate of Brandeis University and Yale University and started her career as an international affairs analyst. She is an avid triathlete and has completed three Ironman triathlons, as well as the Boston Marathon.

Everything You Need to Know About College Summer School: The Complete Guide

This guide will outline the benefits of summer courses and offer tips on how to get the most out of your experience.

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

Preparing for Exams

Kate Derrington; Cristy Bartlett; and Anita Frederiks

Introduction

Exams are a common method of assessment at university and it is likely that you will need to undertake different types of exams as a student. This chapter is the first of two covering exams.  It aims to equip you with the skills needed to plan consistently for your exams. It has a range of techniques to assist you to cope with large volumes of revision information and strategies for improving your memory and retention. It also covers on-the-day exam strategies and tips for dealing with exam stress. If you would like information on preparing for specific types of exams, we recommend that you continue to read the next chapter Types of  Exams where essay, multiple choice, short answer, open book, closed and restricted exams, take home, online and numeracy (maths) exams are covered in more detail .

Revision Strategies

When preparing for your exams you are often revising content from your entire semester. We recommend that you consider what you wish to achieve from your study sessions and then choose strategies and approaches that will help you achieve those aims.  We have provided a number of strategies (and how they work) to help you choose effective study strategies.  Most of these strategies are designed to improve your understanding of the material and increase your ability to recall and use the information in exams.

Most of the strategies we discuss in this chapter are aimed at making the most of your memory and increasing your ability to recall the information when you need it in your exam.  You don’t need to have a complex understanding of memory and how it works to use these strategies, however we have provided a brief overview about why these strategies work in each section.  In addition to the revision strategies that we discuss in this chapter, the following will also help you to improve your memory:

• Having adequate sleep (being tired negatively effects our memory)
• Taking regular exercise
• Consuming a healthy diet
• Practising using your memory
• Managing anxiety or stress (see the section on exam anxiety in this chapter)
• Taking regular study breaks and resting
• Having a study, work, life balance and spending time doing things that we enjoy

The first exam preparation strategy that you might find useful is spacing. Spacing refers to when you study. This technique requires a consistent approach over an extended period. It uses repetition with breaks or spaces in between study sessions to help you retrieve information. Why is this an effective method? Research suggests that giving yourself time between study sessions helps you forget the information. Strange as this may sound, forgetting is beneficial to remembering information long-term. How does this work? Every time you forget something, your brain must work harder to remember or relearn it. This repetition improves your understanding, retention, problem solving and application of knowledge.

Table 22.1 below demonstrates how spacing works. Assume you are going to spend about seven hours studying for a Biology exam. Cramming would have you spending most of those hours the night before the exam. With spacing however, you would study a little bit each day. See the section on cramming for further explanation why cramming is an inefficient study strategy.

Table 22.1 Spacing vs Cramming

Interleaving

Interleaving is another strategy that you might find useful when preparing for an exam. Interleaving refers to w hat you study. This technique involves switching between your study topics or subjects to help your memory. Why is this an effective method? Your brain must work harder to process this “mixed up” information. As with the spacing technique, this may cause some short-term forgetting, but can lead to better long-term outcomes for memory and learning. How does this work? This means not just spending each study session on one sort of problem or topic. Within each time block in your study plan, consider mixing up the content that you revise. Use interleaving with spacing to revisit material from a previous chapter or unit or revise different types of problems or question sets.

Table 22.2 Example of interleaving

Using mnemonics

Mnemonics (pronounced new-monics) are an exam revision strategy that can help you to remember things by using letters or phrases as a form of association. For example, if you have studied music you may have been taught the mnemonic device “every good boy deserves fruit” as a way of remembering EGBDF is the order of the notes on the music staff.  Another example is NEWS (north, east, west, and south) to remember the points on the compass. Why and How do mnemonics work? When you are unfamiliar with the foundational concepts of a new learning task or process, these help you recall information quickly, especially for lists or processes with multiple steps. Once you are more familiar with your discipline area you probably won’t need mnemonics, but you will probably always remember them. Here are some familiar mnemonics you may find useful:

You can certainly make up your own mnemonics but be careful that your reminder isn’t so complex that it is more difficult to remember than the information you were relating it to.

Practising concept association

Concept association is an exam revision strategy that involves linking the information you are learning with information that you already know.  This can help you to make sense of the new information and can improve your ability to recall the information when you need it (e.g. in an exam).  For example, you may be reading about different approaches that nurses can take when communicating with a person in their care.  If you have experienced being cared for by a nurse, then you can consider which communication approaches the nurse may have used, if they implemented the approach well, and if their communication was effective.  This links the information you are learning with existing memories and can also provide you with a deeper understanding of the material and how it relates to the ‘real world’.  You do not need to have direct experience with the topic to use the concept association approach.  In the above example you may consider how the recommended communication approaches are similar or dis-similar to the approaches you take (or have observed others take) in different contexts. Alternatively, you may consider how the recommendations match with your understandings of good communication skills.  The aim is to link the new information with information that you are already familiar with. The links to existing information provide pathways for recalling the new information, and the more pathways you have available the more likely you will be able to recall the information.  By considering how the information relates to your experiences or knowledge also prompts you to think about the new information in different ways, which has the added bonus of increasing your understanding of the topic.

Generating idea clusters

The revision techniques involved in creating idea clusters are similar to those used when creating concept associations and mnemonics.  They are deliberate techniques aimed at increasing your ability to remember information by connecting the new information with existing information.  Unlike concept associations, idea clusters involve linking new material with unrelated, but well remembered information.  For example, Andrea is an avid knitter and remembers how to create complicated stitches by associating them with nursery rhymes she read as a child. A complex delicate stitch, that Andrea thinks looks like part of it is hiding, brings to mind Red Riding Hood, and connecting it to that character helps Andrea recall the exact order of steps necessary to execute the design. You can do the same thing with song lyrics, lines from movies, or favourite stories where you draw a connection to the well-known phrase or song and the task you need to complete.  This is a similar approach to using mnemonics, however with concept clusters you are linking new information to more complex known material (compared to simpler phrases or words using mnemonics).  To be successful, you need to be able to link the new information to a well-remembered story, situation, or knowledge.  This is a useful technique when you need to remember a series of steps, or more complex information and you have time to practice the association with an existing memory.

Cramming and why it doesn’t work well

Cramming involves attempting to cram all of the information required for your exam into your memory in a very short period of time, and it doesn’t work very well.  It doesn’t work well because our memory works best when we focus on one concept at a time and spend time linking the concept to what we already know.  Your brain also needs time to rest. Your brain and memory can only accept so much at any one time, in the same way that you cannot keep lifting a heavy weight indefinitely, you need to rest your muscles.  Your brain needs time to rest before it’s ready to accept more information. Cramming does not allow time for this rest to occur.

In addition to not being able to easily recall the information you need in the exam, cramming can also cause stress, memory fatigue, and affect your ability to concentrate.  This makes it even more difficult to recall the information in your exam.  And if that wasn’t bad enough, you are also more likely to forget (or be unable to retrieve) later, any information that you did manage to recall in the exam.  This may be a problem for you in future subjects that build on the information you are learning now. You may be required to spend time re-learning the information later when you are trying to complete future subjects.  You are also likely to need to draw on this knowledge in your future career.

While our advice is to avoid cramming, we know that there are times when you may find you only have a short period of time to prepare for your exams.  You can adapt the strategies listed above to maximise the effectiveness of the study time you have available.  Allocate time to all of your subjects and use a mini interleaving approach where you alternate your study time across multiple subjects.  Use mnemonics to assist you and monitor your concentration levels.  Taking breaks while you are studying will help you to maintain your concentration during your study block.

Practice Testing

It can also be useful to test yourself both as you revise your work and again before taking the final exam. Practice testing has to do with how you study. It is not enough to just reread content. You must practice or test your ability to retrieve the information from your brain.  You can do a practice “test” in a number of ways.  For example, you might test yourself as you are reading information. Explicitly ask yourself what a paragraph or section means as you read.  You could also read a section in the text, cover the material, and ask yourself, “What was the main idea of this section?” Recite aloud or write down your answer, and then check it against the original information.   With practice testing you are not only practicing recalling or remembering the information, you are also thinking about the material in more depth, which creates more connections to existing memories and enables you to more easily recall the information.

This process works also to test your maths understanding. Follow the same principles by writing down the example question, covering up the working and trying it yourself. Then check your answer and working with the example provided. Do as many questions as you can, to assist with recalling the methods more readily when you are under pressure in an exam. Another way to practice test is to create flashcards or design your own test. This takes more time, but there are online programs (apps) that make it easier. Practice testing is an effective study strategy because it helps you practice or rehearse retrieving information and skills, which is important when taking the real exam.  Another way to learn something is to teach it to someone else. Ask a friend or family member if you can explain something to them or practice a skill with them. You may find you know more about the subject than you thought, or it might highlight any gaps in your understanding. You can replicate the experience an actual exam produces by including timed writing into your study sessions. You don’t need all of your study time to exactly replicate the exam but find out the exam format in advance and practice the skills needed.  For example:

• For a history or law course where you may have to write essay style responses, set a timer and practice how much you can write in this time.
• For a mathematics exam, where you need to complete problems and show working, incorporate timed problem-solving into your study.
• Practice answering questions within a set time limit and with only the resources you will have in the exam.

Practicing under similar conditions to your exam will help you feel better prepared and confident in the exam. Create an environment where mistakes are safe and are expected as just another part of learning. This relates to the principles you learned in the section on grit and persistence (see Goals and Priorities chapter).  An example of this might be taking practice quizzes on your own, outside of the more formal course activities. These quizzes could be found in your textbook, in tutorial activities, online, or you may develop quizzes with another student. Studying with a partner can increase your learning, since to create a good quiz you would need to learn the main concepts of the subject and answering the questions on your partner’s quiz might help you identify areas where you need more knowledge. The main idea with this practice is that you are creating an environment where it is safe to make mistakes, and importantly, learn from them.  This should allow you to avoid those same mistakes in your formal assessments.

Taking the Exam

In the lead up to your exam.

Preparation and planning are the keys to exam success. Check that you know:

• The date, location and time of your exam (e.g., which campus, online, or at a study centre).
• The transport and parking arrangements for exam day. Find out where you can park and what are the costs and payment options.
• The identification you require for admission into the exam (e.g., student ID, or drivers licence).
• The type of exam and how long you have for completion.
• Will there be additional perusal time before the exam commences (particularly for in person exams) where you can read and think about your response.
• What you are allowed to take into the exam.
• How much time to allocate to each question or section of the exam.

Knowing this information will help things run smoothly on exam day and reduce your stress.  It will also impact the type of revision you do and the materials you may or may not be allowed to take into the examination room.  There is more information about different types of exams and what they involve in the Types of Exams chapter.

If your exam is online, there are other considerations you need to organise prior to taking your exam. These may include the following:

• Ensure you have a reliable device (laptop or computer) and internet connection.
• Ensure you have all the required hardware to complete your exam (e.g., printer or scanner).
• Test all devices and equipment prior to undertaking your exam.
• Have all the items you require to complete your exam ready (e.g., calculator, translation dictionary, etc.)
• Test comfort levels before you start (e.g., lighting, temperature, and seating).
• Remove distractions (e.g., turn off your mobile phone and television).
• Prepare for the online assessment just like you would for other exams.

Consider making an exam day plan as outlined in Table 22.3 .  This will help you to use your exam time effectively.

Table 22.3 Exam day plan

On the day of your exam

  On the day of the exam it is important to maintain your focus and remember your exam plan. For example, it can be helpful to wait quietly when you first arrive at the exam location rather than talking to your peers who may disrupt your thought processes. If you begin to feel rushed, return to the plan that you compiled in the lead up to the exam. This may assist you in gathering your thoughts, and organising what you are allowed to take into the exam.  Consider the following exam day tips outlined below. This may assist you on arrival to a face-to-face exam or as you prepare to begin an online exam.

Arriving at the exam/ preparing to start an online exam

• Get to the exam location or be prepared to start your online exam in plenty of time so you do not feel rushed
• Don’t let other students interrupt your thinking and try not to compare what you have learned with others
• Get to your designated place, organise whatever materials you can have, and calm your mind

At the beginning of your exam you will be provided with exam instructions. This might include information about how to respond to the exam question, if multiple choice, or explain how short response items will be marked. It is important to carefully listen to or read directions to ensure that you complete the exam as required. The following section outlines some considerations to optimise your exam performance.

Taking the exam

• Listen carefully for any verbal directions or read the exam instructions carefully (if an online exam).
• As soon as you receive the exam, scan quickly and familiarise yourself with the requirements and any choices if applicable (use perusal time if available).
• Read the instructions carefully. Consider any options to choose questions, e.g.,  two from a selection of four short-answer questions. Misreading instructions and answering more questions than is necessary will not give you any additional marks and waste time that could be spent on another section of the exam.
• Decide how you will allocate your time for each section (you should know this if you have made an exam plan).
• Answer every required question on the exam. Even if you don’t complete each question, you may receive some marks for partial answers. Find out before the exam if marks will be allocated for partial answers.
• Answer the questions about which you are the most confident first.

It is an achievement, and often a relief to finally reach the end of the exam. It can be tempting to leave the exam location or log off early if you haven’t used all of the allocated time. It is, however, advised that you use all the time available to maximise your chance of success. You can use this valuable time to review your responses and check your answers.  Imagine that you accidentally missed an entire question, using the time at the end of the exam wisely would help you avoid this issue. The section below summarises some of the ways you can use extra time at the end of an exam.

At the end of the exam

• Allow time to review your answers. Use this time to check your maths calculations, review an essay for grammatical and content errors, or answer the difficult multiple choice questions you skipped earlier.
• Finally, make sure you have completed the entire exam: check the backs of pages, and verify that you have a corresponding answer section for every question section on the exam. It can be easy to skip a section with the idea you will come back to it but forget to do so.

Exam Anxiety

It is natural to experience some exam stress or anxiety. The good news is that there are a number of strategies you can use to manage any exam anxiety so that it does not become overwhelming. However, we recommend that you seek additional support if you find that your coping strategies are not working, or if exam stress is affecting your ability to undertake your studies. Below are some strategies that can be useful in managing exam anxiety or nerves.

• Be prepared for your exams. Knowing that you are prepared for your exams will help reduce exam stress.
• Physical activity will help you manage stress. Try to incorporate regular exercise in your schedule.
• Do not underestimate the effectiveness of controlled deep breathing. Taking deep, slow breaths can help you focus. This can be particularly useful in exams.

• Get some sleep. Getting enough sleep is important, particularly in the lead up to your exams.
• Find what helps you relax, such as music, going for a walk, going to the beach, and schedule those things in your planner. For example, playing music that you enjoy can help you relax and feel less stressed.
• Learn effective relaxation techniques including controlled breathing, visualisation, and meditation. These can help while you are in the exam itself too.

Special Accommodations for exams

Most universities will have processes in place to provide students with reasonable adjustments to their exam conditions for students who meet disability support or equity criteria.  This can include additional time to undertake the exam, assistive technologies, furniture adjustments, or alternative locations.  The aim is to provide an equitable exam experience and opportunities for academic success.  We encourage you to contact your university for information about their specific services and support.

When things go wrong

Sometimes things just don’t go to plan on exam day.  For example, you may be unwell on the day of your exam, or experience computer issues when undertaking an online exam. Your university will have processes in place for managing these circumstances.  There are often time limits for rectifying issues on exam day, so contact your university as soon as practical when you realise you won’t be able to undertake your exam.   We recommend that you know in advance how to contact your university for support during online exams, so if the unexpected does happen (e.g. someone cuts your internet connection) you are prepared and know what to do.

Checklist for exam success

The checklist below provides key strategies that will help you in your studies.

Exams are a common method of assessment at university and there are many different types. In this chapter we have introduced you to the idea of consistent planning for exam success. A variety of strategies were discussed to assist in coping with revising large volumes of material. Specific strategies to target memory and retention such as spacing, interleaving and practice testing were explained. The chapter also discussed what to do on the day of your exam to maximise your success and minimise your stress. The next chapter Types of Exams is recommended for more information on preparing for specific types of exams, such as essays, multiple choice, short answer, open book, closed and restricted exams, take home, online and numeracy (maths) exams.

• Start preparing early with regular and consistent study
• Make a study plan and stick to it
• Use memory strategies; try spacing and interleaving. Find what works for you.
• Know your exam type and practice accordingly
• In the exam, answer all questions, and show all your working
• Know the requirements for undertaking your exam (what you can take in with you) and have them ready
• Plan how you will get to your exam, including where you will park and how long it will take to get there, to avoid exam day stress
• It is common to experience exam anxiety, but strategies such as deep breathing can help you remain calm in your exam

Academic Success Copyright © 2021 by Kate Derrington; Cristy Bartlett; and Anita Frederiks is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

Current students

• Staff intranet
• Find an event

Preparing for exams

Exams can be stressful, but being prepared can help manage stress and allow you to perform at your best. There are lots of techniques you can try and resources available to make sure you get the most out of your exam study.

What to study

As early as possible, find out what topics will be covered in your exam, the type of exam and its conditions. Important details include the duration of the exam and whether it has open book, multiple choice, short answer or essay questions.

You can find information about your exam from a few sources.

• The unit of study outline will show you the most important topics of the unit of study.
• Your lecturer or tutor may suggest which topics are most important to focus on.

Plan your study

• Make your plan as accurate as possible. Remember to include the time you need for important considerations such as transport, eating, family, work and sleep.
• Update your plan each day.
• Find out as soon as possible what topics you need to study, and work out how much time you have for each topic before the exam.
• At the end of each study session, make a list of what you need to cover the next time you study.

Find out more about time management and making plans .

• First, do a quick review of all the main topics. Then go back to the topics that are more difficult and review those in more detail.
• If you don’t know how much detail you need to study, try looking at each topic in progressively more detail. That is, first study all of the topics at a very general level (for example, just the main concepts). Then go back and study each topic with more detail (for example, the major theories, key models, rules or facts). Finally, if you have enough time, go back and look at some extra details on each topic (for example, debates about the theories, specific studies and their methodologies).

Effective study

• It’s not recommended that you leave studying for the night before a test. Research shows that losing sleep to study makes you perform worse academically. Having regular study sessions which don’t interfere with your sleep time means you’ll be well-rested and can learn more effectively.
• Often you can improve and solidify your understanding by discussing the concepts and information with someone else.
• For your learning to last beyond your short-term memory, try to make connections and relationships between facts and ideas. For example, think about how the facts or ideas relate to other things you have read, how you might use them in your future career, and whether you agree with the author's arguments.

Use your time efficiently

• Choose to study at a time when you are naturally alert and focused. For example, if you are a ‘morning person’, don’t try to study late at night.
• Before each task, remind yourself of its specific purpose. For example, do you really need to read the whole chapter, or to only check the paragraph about one particular topic?
• If you lose concentration while you are reading or studying, stop. Think about how this paragraph fits into the big picture. Is it important?
• Skim read every article or book chapter before you read it in full to get a sense of the main idea and if it’s relevant. That is, first read the title, abstract, introduction, headings/topic sentences and conclusion.
• If you find that you’re procrastinating (spending your time on things that are a low priority, such as checking social media), stop and deal with it immediately. For example, turn off your phone, log out of your social media accounts, turn off the TV.

Find out more about time management and studying productively .

Exam strategies

Multiple choice.

In exams with multiple choice questions, often there is not much time for each question, for example one to two minutes. It’s therefore important to be efficient with your time.

Before the exam find out what the exam will cover, how many questions are included and how long you will have for each question.

During the exam:

• circle the keywords as you read each question
• be careful to notice and underline any negative words, such as 'not', 'never', 'no', 'none', 'lack', 'fail'. Be especially careful of double negatives, such as ‘which of the following is never present without respiratory symptoms?’
• when you are reading the answers, immediately cross out any that are clearly wrong
• don’t spend a long time on a question if the meaning is confusing or you don’t know the answer. Instead, move on and return to the difficult questions at the end.
• for most exams, a wrong answer is worth the same as no answer (no marks). In that case, it’s better to guess than to leave a question blank.

To prepare for essay exams:

• find out the topics that may be included in the exam, and brainstorm for each one. In particular, think of several ways of analysing the topic , which you could use to structure the paragraphs of an essay. For example, two or three different theories on the topic; the pros and cons of a particular approach to the topic; some evidence for your points of view; three different real-world applications of the topic.
• closely analyse the essay question(s) and underline all the key words. What type of essay do they expect?
• carefully plan your time, allowing time to create an essay outline before you start writing and to proofread your essay. You should leave 15 minutes to create an essay outline, and two to five minutes to proofread at the end. You may wish to leave more time for proofreading, for example if English is your second language.
• your outline should include the topic of each paragraph, as well as the main facts, points or examples that each paragraph should include. Do not spend time on extra ideas that may stray away from the purpose of the essay
• write a topic sentence for each paragraph to clearly present your argument
• make sure you have both an introduction and conclusion. Try not to sacrifice a conclusion due to time constraints - if necessary, budget your time for each paragraph to make sure you finish the whole essay.

Managing stress and nerves

The first way to reduce any stress, anxiety or nervousness about exams is to be prepared.

There are also a number of strategies you can use to boost your confidence and stay calm.

• Discuss the exam with other students beforehand, including any worries, but also the topics that you feel confident about.
• Lower the stress hormones in your body through physical exercise.
• Familiarise yourself with the environment of the exam. For example, find the exam room the day before.
• Remind yourself of the positive points. For example, you have successfully completed other exams before, and you are prepared, this exam will probably be OK too.
• On the day of the exam wear something you feel good in, and take along helpful items, such as a water bottle and your favourite pen.

Counselling and Psychological Services and Inclusion and Disability Services offer advanced techniques and extra support services, including workshops and consultations. Adjustments, such as a separate room or extra time to sit the exam, may be arranged if required.

If you have a serious illness, injury or circumstances arise that affect your ability to attend or complete an exam, you may have grounds to apply for special consideration or special arrangements .

This material was developed by the Learning Hub (Academic Language and Learning), which offers workshops, face-to-face consultations and resources to support your learning. Find out more about how they can help you develop your communication, research and study skills .

See our handouts on Understanding yourself as a learner (pdf, 1.2MB) and Becoming a more effective learner (pdf, 2MB) . There are also sample planners available on time management page .

Related links

• Learning Hub (Academic Language and Learning)
• Learning Hub (Academic Language and Learning) workshops
• Time management
• Reading and note taking
• Website feedback

Your feedback has been sent.

Sorry there was a problem sending your feedback. Please try again

You should only use this form to send feedback about the content on this webpage – we will not respond to other enquiries made through this form. If you have an enquiry or need help with something else such as your enrolment, course etc you can contact the Student Centre.

• Find an expert
• Media contacts

Student links

• How to log in to University systems
• Class timetables
• Our rankings
• Faculties and schools
• Research centres
• Campus locations
• Find a staff member
• Careers at Sydney
• Emergencies and personal safety

• Accessibility

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• Tests and Exams
• Exam Revision

How to Prepare for an Exam

Last Updated: May 26, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Ted Dorsey, MA . Ted Dorsey is a Test Prep Tutor, author, and founder of Tutor Ted, an SAT and ACT tutoring service based in Southern California. Ted earned a perfect score on the SAT (1600) and PSAT (240) in high school. Since then, he has earned perfect scores on the ACT (36), SAT Subject Test in Literature (800), and SAT Subject Test in Math Level 2 (800). He has a BA in English from Princeton University and a MA in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,213,199 times.

Preparing for an exam can be stressful and time-consuming, but it doesn't have to be. There's no need to stress out or cram. By doing a couple of simple things ahead of time, you can ensure that you are confident and ready for anything that comes up on the test.

Preparing to Study

• Only you know how long it takes you to study, so you are the best judge of when to start studying.
• If the class material is especially difficult for you, start studying early. Give yourself enough time to truly grasp the material, practice it and then review it.
• Get a full night's sleep before the exam. Your brain needs time to subconsciously digest everything you've put into it, so start early so you don't have to stay up all night. [2] X Research source

• If you only have five pages of notes, but your friend has twenty, then you probably missed some important information. Compare your notes to your friend's to see where the holes are in your notes.

• Your teacher most likely won't tell you exactly what is on the test, but he or she might give you some pointers by handing you a study guide, or simply announcing what the exam will cover.

Reviewing the Information

• Ask yourself, who, what, where, when for each theme/subject matter that you are supposed to know for the test.
• You can look up information online to study from, but the best information to study from is the information presented to the class because the answers will be derived from your classroom materials. Sometimes information on the internet can vary from the information that you are presented in class.
• If you are planning to study from information provided on the internet, stick with sources that end with .edu or .gov.

Ted Dorsey, MA

Remember to also study the topics that you're good at or know well. While you will definitely want to work on areas of weakness, you should also go back over your areas of strength. It can be easier to improve a grade by doing really well on a subject you're already good at than completely re-learning something that you don't know as well.

• Break down complex subjects into steps or parts. For instance, if you are trying to learn the order of historical events, list out each event that happened in the order they happened. For instance, first Linus Pauling discovered DNA, then he was awarded a prize. Write down the time frame and the events that influenced each happening. Knowing these side notes should help you to recall information because they increase your level of understanding.

• Some teachers write down the page numbers or chapters that each section of the syllabus pertains to in your book. Take note of those pages because you should definitely review them.

• You might be able to find a study guide online for the material that you are studying if you are not able to get one from your teacher.

• Note the chapter titles and section titles as you read. They are a dead give away to the major concepts that are covered in those sections.

Preparing for the Exam

• For instance, if the statement is Linus Pauling was one of the discoverers of DNA, then write on the flash card the question, who was one of the main discoverers of DNA? Write the question on one side, and the answer on the other. [8] X Research source
• Sometimes a question will spark an idea for a follow-up question. When you're making flashcards, often you'll be able to see how you may have forgotten to study something. For instance, who were the other discoverers of DNA? This question springs from the Linus Pauling statement because the word “main” reminds you that there were other people involved in DNA's discovery.
• If you don't know the answer to follow-up questions, then you should research the information and make flashcards for those questions too.
• Start making flashcards for the information that you are having trouble remembering or grasping. This is the information that you need to review the most. Then, move on to information that you already know pretty well.
• Making physical copies of flashcards is recommended because you have to write down the questions and answers, which is a repetitive process that will help you remember the information. Also, you can carry the flashcards around and use them at anytime. However, there are websites such as cram.com that allow you to make online flash cards.

• If you keep getting certain questions wrong, review your notes and textbook again to see if there is something you're not understanding.

• If you still have more time before your exam, ask for assistance either from a teacher or a friend.

Determining Exam Questions

• Although reviewing past exams might not give you the exact questions that will appear on your test, it will give you an idea of how the information will be tested.
• It also will tell you how the test will be scored. You'll know if you should give long detailed answers or if your answers should be straight to the point. If you are able to review a test with answers on it, pay attention to answers that were given high marks and those that weren't. Also, pay attention to any notes in the margins that the teacher may have written explaining why points were taken off.

• If you understand the format of the test, you know what information to pull out and how detailed or open-ended it might be.
• You'll also be able to assess the distribution of points. Is the essay worth much more than the multiple choice? With the past test to review, you can assess what you've already studied and re-assess.

Forming Study Groups

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Community Q&A

• Be sure to take breaks or refresh your mind with something calming to help your brain subconsciously process information. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Always re-write the important sections of your notes, it will help you memorize them. Thanks Helpful 45 Not Helpful 3
• Eat right and have a good rest every night before an exam. Thanks Helpful 49 Not Helpful 6

Tips from our Readers

• Before starting a study session, make sure the things you need are easily accessible, so you won't need to look for something in the middle of your study session and potentially become distracted.
• Avoid trying to memorize everything at once, or you may get overwhelmed. Instead, you might find it more helpful to focus on 1-2 topics during each of your study sessions.
• When you take a break, try setting a timer so you'll know when it's time to get back to studying.
• Study in a quiet place with minimal distractions. This can help improve your concentration.

• Don't make unnecessary notes to fill your pages. While reading them, you may forget the important notes! Thanks Helpful 35 Not Helpful 4
• Don't stay up all night studying. Cramming late at night is not a good idea. Make sure you get enough sleep before the day of the exam. Thanks Helpful 33 Not Helpful 6
• Don't wait till the last minute to study. You'll be frazzled and ill-prepared when you're taking the test. Plus, your brain needs time to process information and that takes time. Thanks Helpful 22 Not Helpful 5
• Don't do all your studying at once. You'll learn best if you read a little bit of your textbook each day. If you stress, you might forget whatever you have memorized. Thanks Helpful 29 Not Helpful 8

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/preparing-for-exams.html
• ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/school-and-sleep/final-exams-and-sleep
• ↑ https://mcgraw.princeton.edu/undergraduates/resources/resource-library/preparing-for-exams
• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/taking-notes-while-reading/
• ↑ https://usm.maine.edu/agile/using-flashcards
• ↑ http://www.cram.com/flashcards/create
• ↑ https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/37752/studying-with-quizzes-helps-make-sure-the-material-sticks
• ↑ https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/developing-assignments/exams/exam-preparation
• ↑ https://www.lib.sfu.ca/about/branches-depts/slc/learning/exam-prep/exam-prep-5-strategies
• ↑ https://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/study-and-training/help-with-study/how-to-study-better/top-10-study-tips

About This Article

To prepare for an exam, start at least a few days ahead by re-reading your notes and key sections of your textbook and reviewing any available study guides. While you’re reading and reviewing, pull out important information and make flash cards to quiz yourself with. You can also go online or use your textbook to work through practice problems. If you learn better by talking things through, try working with a friend or forming a study group. For more tips on preparing for an exam, like reviewing the syllabus or looking at old exams, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Sep 29, 2017

Did this article help you?

May 27, 2016

May 17, 2016

Piyush Rawat

Feb 3, 2019

Jul 25, 2023

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Don’t miss out! Sign up for

wikiHow’s newsletter

English Essay on “Preparing For Examination” English Essay-Paragraph-Speech for Class 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 CBSE Students and competitive Examination.

Preparing For Examination

Studies are aimed at acquiring knowledge and preparing for the examination. The secret of preparation for examination is regular study. Preparation for examination must be systematic as otherwise the examinee will have to grope in Wilderness. Also, selective preparation for an examination may lead to difficulties. It is advisable that all the topics should be covered and nothing should be left to chance. Lack of preparation for the examination sometimes produces evil ideas in mind, such as, resort to copying. This is unfair as well as unethical. The real answer lies in regular and hard work with power planning from the beginning itself. Attention in the class-room is also a good means towards preparation for the examination.

Related Posts

Absolute-Study

Hindi Essay, English Essay, Punjabi Essay, Biography, General Knowledge, Ielts Essay, Social Issues Essay, Letter Writing in Hindi, English and Punjabi, Moral Stories in Hindi, English and Punjabi.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

My English Tutor

Edexcel gcse english language paper 1 pre exam revision.

Prepare for your Edexcel GCSE English Language Paper 1 Exam with this comprehensive revision session. Covering both the Reading and Writing Sections of the Exam. - Question-by-Question breakdown, approaches and advice - Guided activities throughout

Course curriculum

Reading and writing sections.

Reading and Writing

About this course

• 0.5 hours of video content

Discover your potential, starting today

Study Abroad

Scholarships

GMAT Sample Paper 2024: Section-wise Questions with Answers

Updated on May 29, 2024, 04:50

If you plan to study business courses abroad, your world probably revolves around GMAT prep! After helping thousands of business school aspirants find their dream university, we know what difference a good GMAT score can make!   

This standardised test assesses analytical writing, quantitative, verbal, and integrated reasoning skills and is a crucial component of the application process for many MBA and other business-related courses. Given the high stakes, thorough preparation is essential for success.  

GMAT sample papers, including practice questions and full-length practice exams, are a powerful tool for preparing GMAT. 

On this page, we’ll explore the best GMAT sample papers! (Read till the end to access free GMAT Question Papers).

On This Page

1. GMAT Exam Preparation Tips: Verbal Reasoning

Most students find the Quantitative section of the GMAT a tad bit challenging. However, with enough preparation, it can be cracked easily! 

The Quantitative section is designed to assess your mathematical skills and your ability to reason quantitatively. Most of the questions related to problem-solving and data sufficiency. Below are some GMAT math sample questions. 

2. GMAT Sample Paper: Verbal Reasoning

The Verbal Reasoning section of the GMAT exam is probably the simplest of all sections, yet thorough preparation is required to increase your chances of getting a good score. 

The verbal reasoning portion evaluates your ability to comprehend various kinds of text material, analyse arguments, and construct correct sentences (as per standard English). Scoring well in this section is a great opportunity to prove your communication and analytical skills.

3. GMAT Sample Paper: Data Insights

Data Insights is designed to test your ability to interpret data. This portion of the test will require you to analyse data tables, graphs, and charts. Business schools regard data analysis as an important skill.

More for you

Start Your Study Abroad Journey

Learn More About GMAT Exam!

GMAT Sample Paper: Quantitative Section

x is 1 ⁄ 5 less than 9 ⁄ 10

x is between 2 ⁄ 5 and 4 ⁄ 5

A. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient.

B. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient.

C. BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient.

D. EACH Statement ALONE is sufficient.

E. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient to answer the question asked, and additional data are needed.  

Answer: (A)

E. $90,000  

E. 30  

Answer: (C)

GMAT Sample Paper: Verbal Reasoning

The Verbal Reasoning section of the GMAT exam is probably the simplest of all sections, yet thorough preparation is required to increase your chances of getting a good score.   

The verbal reasoning portion evaluates your ability to comprehend various kinds of text material, analyse arguments, and construct correct sentences (as per standard English). Scoring well in this section is a great opportunity to prove your communication and analytical skills.   

Directions:  

The questions in this group are based on the content of a passage. After reading the passage, choose the best answer to each question. Answer all questions following the passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.

Question:  

Schools expect textbooks to be a valuable source of information for students. My research suggests, however, that textbooks that address the place of Native Americans within the history of the United States distort history to suit a particular cultural value system. In some textbooks, for example, settlers are pictured as more humane, complex, skilful, and wise than Native Americans. In essence, textbooks stereotype and depreciate the numerous Native American cultures while reinforcing the attitude that the European conquest of the New World denotes the superiority of European cultures. Although textbooks evaluate Native American architecture, political systems, and homemaking, I contend that they do it from an ethnocentric European perspective without recognising that other perspectives are possible.

One argument against my contention asserts that, by nature, textbooks are culturally biased and that I am simply underestimating children's ability to see through these biases. Some researchers even claim that students know they cannot take textbooks literally by the time they are in high school. Yet substantial evidence exists to the contrary. Two researchers, for example, have conducted studies that suggest that children's attitudes about particular cultures are strongly influenced by the textbooks used in schools. Given this, an ongoing, careful review of how school textbooks depict Native Americans is certainly warranted.

Which of the following is most likely the topic of the paragraph immediately following the passage?

(A) Specific ways to evaluate the biases of United States history textbooks

(B) The centrality of the teacher's role in United States history courses

(C) Nontraditional methods of teaching United States history

(D) The contributions of European immigrants to the development of the United States

(E) Ways in which parents influence children's political attitudes

Answer: (A)  

Critical Reasoning Question

For this question, select the best of the answer choices given.  

Mall Owner: Our mall’s occupancy rate is so low that we are barely making a profit. We cannot raise rents because of an unacceptably high risk of losing established tenants. On the other hand, a mall that is fully occupied costs about as much to run as one in which a rental space here and a rental space there stands empty. Clearly, therefore, to increase profits we must sign up new tenants.  

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

(A) The mall’s operating costs could be cut by consolidating currently rented spaces so that an entire mall wing could be closed up.

(B) The mall is located in a geographic area in which costs incurred for air-conditioning in the hot summers exceed those incurred for heating in the mild winters by a wider margin.

(C) The mall’s occupancy rate, though relatively low, has been relatively stable for several years.

(D) The mall lost tenants due to each of the two major rent increases that have occurred there.

(E) None of the mall’s established tenants will likely need additional floor space there in the foreseeable future.

GMAT Sample Paper: Data Insights

Data Insights is designed to test your ability to interpret data. This portion of the test will require you to analyse data tables, graphs, and charts. Business schools regard data analysis as an important skill. 

A good score in this section indicates that you may be exceptionally good at decision making, and other valuable leadership skills.   

What is the monthly rent for a certain apartment?

(1) The monthly rent per person for 4 people to share the rent for the apartment is $375.

(2) The monthly rent per person for 4 people to share the rent of the apartment is $125 less than the monthly rent per person for 3 people to share the rent.

(A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient.

(B) Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient.

(C) BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient.

(D) EACH statement ALONE is sufficient.

(E) Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.  

Answer: (D)

As the digital age advances, the number of visitors to traditional libraries across various cities in India has seen a shift. The chart provided highlights the visitor counts in four distinct cities for 4 different years in a span of 14 years.

Complete the statement that most accurately reflects the information provided.

Between 2009 and 2023, the visitor count to traditional libraries in ______saw an increase of approximately ______ percent, rounded to the nearest 10 percent.

Answer: 

Blank 1: Bangalore

Blank 2: 20 percent

GMAT Results

GMAT Syllabus & Pattern

IELTS Important Information

IELTS Exam Date

IELTS Exam Fee

IELTS Modules

IELTS Listening Practice Test

IELTS Speaking Practice Test

IELTS Reading Practice Test

IELTS Writing Practice Test

IELTS Test Centres

IELTS Results

Types of IELTS

IELTS Pattern

IELTS Exam Eligibilty

IELTS Slot Booking

IELTS Band Score

IELTS Registration

IELTS Books

IELTS Preparation

IELTS Practice Test

IELTS Accepting Countries

Study In USA

Study In Canada

Study In UK

Study In Australia

Study In Ireland

IELTS Accepting Universities

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

The University Of British Columbia

Harvard University

University Of Toronto

Conestoga College

University Of East London

Stanford University

University Of Alberta

Coventry University

New York University

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in India

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Hyderabad

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Bangalore

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Chennai

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Amritsar

IELTS Centre and Dates in Ludhiana

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Mumbai

IELTS Test Centres and Dates in Ahmedabad

IELTS Centre and Dates in Delhi

IELTS Test Centres and Dates in Chandigarh

IELTS Center and Dates in Pune

Q. How often should I practice with GMAT sample papers?

A. It’s helpful to include at least one GMAT sample paper every week for effective preparation. Sample papers are a great way to familiarise yourself with the test and allow you figure out your strength and weaknesses. As you progress in your GMAT preparation, try to solve more and more practice tests on a weekly basis. 

Q. How can I effectively review my performance on GMAT sample papers?

A. One way would be to self evaluate your performance by comparing the questions and answers. If you’re score is increasingly progressively then, you’re on the right track. You could start by analysing incorrect answers to understand mistakes. Identify patterns in your mistakes, and refine your preparation strategy. 

Q. What are some good resources for GMAT preparation?

A. Some good resources for GMAT prep include: 

• GMAT books 
• GMAT sample papers
• GMAT question papers from previous years

You could also refer to subject-related books to focus your preparation on a single section. You can also refer to novels, newspapers, and magazines to improve your reading comprehension. 

Essay on Examination Stress on Students

Students are often asked to write an essay on Examination Stress on Students in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Examination Stress on Students

Understanding examination stress.

Examination stress is a common issue among students. It refers to the anxiety and nervousness students feel before and during exams.

Causes of Examination Stress

The main causes of exam stress include high expectations from parents, fear of failure, and lack of preparation.

Effects on Students

Examination stress can lead to health problems like headaches, sleep issues, and even depression. It also affects a student’s concentration and performance.

In conclusion, it’s vital to manage exam stress for overall well-being and academic success.

250 Words Essay on Examination Stress on Students

Introduction.

Examinations are an integral part of the academic system, designed to assess students’ understanding and knowledge of subjects. However, they often induce a significant amount of stress among students, which can adversely affect their performance and overall well-being.

The Origin of Examination Stress

Examination stress primarily originates from the pressure to perform well. This pressure can stem from various sources such as high personal expectations, fear of failure, or societal and parental expectations. The competitive nature of the academic system, along with the perception that success in examinations equates to success in life, further exacerbates this stress.

Impacts of Examination Stress

Examination stress can have profound psychological and physiological impacts on students. It can lead to anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and even physical health problems like headaches and fatigue. Moreover, it can impair students’ cognitive functions, thus negatively affecting their academic performance.

Managing Examination Stress

Effective stress management strategies are crucial for students to navigate through examination stress. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a balanced diet can help maintain physical health and reduce stress levels. Psychological strategies such as mindfulness, positive affirmations, and relaxation techniques can also be beneficial.

While examinations are necessary for academic evaluation, it’s essential to address the stress they cause. A balanced approach, focusing on both academic excellence and mental well-being, can help students manage examination stress effectively, thus leading to a healthier and more productive academic life.

500 Words Essay on Examination Stress on Students

Examinations are an integral part of the educational system, designed to evaluate a student’s understanding and knowledge of the subjects studied. However, they often bring with them a significant amount of stress, causing a negative impact on the mental and physical health of students. This essay delves into the phenomenon of examination stress, its causes, effects, and possible solutions.

Examination stress is a psychological condition in which students experience extreme distress and anxiety in the period leading up to, during, and even after examinations. It is characterized by feelings of fear, self-doubt, and apprehension about one’s performance in the exams. While a certain level of stress can be motivational, excessive stress can hinder performance and well-being.

The causes of examination stress are multifaceted. The pressure to perform well, high expectations from parents and teachers, competition amongst peers, and fear of failure are common triggers. Additionally, the lack of effective study habits, poor time management, and the absence of relaxation or recreational activities can exacerbate the stress. The modern educational system, with its emphasis on grades and rankings, often overlooks the individual learning pace and capabilities of students, further contributing to this stress.

Effects of Examination Stress

Examination stress can have severe implications on a student’s mental and physical health. It can lead to anxiety disorders, depression, and in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts. Physically, it can cause headaches, sleep disorders, loss of appetite, and a weakened immune system. Moreover, it can negatively impact a student’s academic performance and hinder the learning process, creating a vicious cycle of stress and poor performance.

Addressing Examination Stress

Addressing examination stress necessitates a multi-pronged approach. Firstly, a change in perspective towards examinations is required. They should be perceived as a part of the learning process rather than a do-or-die situation. Secondly, students should be encouraged to adopt effective study habits and time management techniques, which can reduce last-minute cramming and associated stress.

Moreover, the importance of physical exercise and recreational activities in maintaining mental health should be emphasized. Regular breaks, balanced diet, and adequate sleep are crucial for stress management. Counseling services should also be made available in educational institutions to help students cope with stress.

In conclusion, examination stress is a prevalent and severe issue faced by students. It is crucial to address this problem to ensure the holistic development of students and foster a healthy learning environment. By altering our perspectives, improving study habits, and prioritizing mental health, we can mitigate the effects of examination stress and transform the educational experience into a more enjoyable and less stressful journey.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Telephone for Students
• Essay on Student Politics
• Essay on My Strength as a Student

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• International
• Today’s Paper
• Premium Stories
• 🗳️ Elections 2024
• Express Shorts
• Maharashtra SSC Result
• Brand Solutions

JEE Advanced 2024: How to plan for IIT entrance exam in the last hours?

Jee advanced 2024: revising regularly and practising the previous year's models and papers can strengthen their preparation thoroughly..

— Nitin Viijay

The last two days before the JEE Advanced exam are undoubtedly crucial for students. This is when months of effort, commitment, and restless nights come together, and being well-prepared becomes extremely important. During these two days, managing time can significantly determine the exam’s result.

Understanding the importance of wisely utilising time in the last two days, let’s look at strategies to optimise the study schedule, control stress, and give the best in the time available.

Unlock the potential of revision

Make a thorough revision plan for the last two days of preparation. This plan, meticulously designed to cover all three subjects — Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics — will boost the confidence of students that they can revise everything needed. Using faster revision techniques can allow revision of important ideas, equations, and topics from notes maintained throughout the year. Using mind maps, self-tests, and flashcards can help immensely in remembering things and chapters already studied, further boosting your confidence in your preparation.

Try to complete sample papers

To improve problem-solving and time-management skills before the exam, students should complete previous year model papers and questions. Along with familiarising themselves with the time limits and atmosphere of the exams, it is recommended that they take practice tests in an exam-like environment. Simulating an exam framework can help with time management and reduce anxiety around final exam time. Candidates should review their performance on these practice tests, which can help identify areas that require further work.

Attempt the maximum number of questions

While answering the exam, students should prefer attempting the maximum number of questions correctly. Once you understand the importance of scoring well to increase your rank, it is advisable to first choose simple and easy questions that require the use of basic concepts. After answering the easier questions, candidates can move on to tricky and time-consuming challenging questions.

Focus on overall wellbeing

Feeling anxious during an exam is natural, but effective stress management can play a key role in overcoming anxiety. To stay focused and avoid fatigue, break up study sessions into small chunks and take breaks. In the crucial period before the exam, it is advisable to lead a healthy lifestyle. A properly balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep are good for health and exam performance. To stay healthy, try to drink plenty of water and include nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, and nuts in the diet.

The tips above can help aspirants to secure good marks on the JEE Advanced exam . Generally, those appearing for the JEE Advanced exam are under much pressure to perform well. It can lead to unwanted stress and anxiety among them. To overcome stress, students should focus on exercises to calm their body and mind. Along with this, students should also indulge themselves in recreational activities that can help them refresh their minds and, in turn, improve their retention power.

(The writer is the Founder & CEO of Motion Education)

Sponsored | Advance Your Career at the Edge of Innovation with ISB Executive Education’s Digital Marketing Programme

• JEE Advanced
• JEE Advanced Result
• JEE Main 2024
• JEE Main results

Harmeet Singh, former India U-19 cricketer, has had a tumultuous journey with many ups and downs. However, he has now found a new home in the USA and will represent them in the T20 world cup. Despite the challenges, he is grateful for the opportunity and looks forward to facing his home country, India.

• Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Live Updates: PM Modi holds his first roadshow in Kolkata 53 mins ago
• Delhi News Live Updates: Delhi sees record-breaking heat, mercury nears 50°C-mark in Mungeshpur, Narela 11 hours ago
• Mumbai News Live Updates: Some Churchgate-Dahanu local train services cancelled following derailment at Palghar yard 12 hours ago
• AP EAMCET 2024 Result Live Updates: Is APSCHE releasing AP EAPCET rank card today 15 hours ago

Best of Express

Buzzing Now

May 29: Latest News

• 01 Dombivli reactor blast: Chemical company owner’s wife, who is director in firm, held
• 02 Kirti Vyas murder case: Court awards life imprisonment to 2 convicted colleagues
• 03 T20 World Cup rewrite: India unpredictable, Pakistan not unpredictable, England likeable, Kiwis chokers
• 04 Porsche crash : 3-member committee starts probe in blood sample swap at Pune’s Sassoon Hospital
• 05 UN chief says ‘horror’ in Gaza must stop after deadly Rafah strikes by Israel
• Elections 2024
• Political Pulse
• Entertainment
• Movie Review
• Newsletters
• Web Stories

Telangana Police Constable Previous Year Papers, Download PDF

Telangana Police Constable Previous year papers will provide knowledge on how questions are framed and the topics which need to be focused more. Download and Practice PYQs from this article.

Table of Contents

Telangana Police Constable Previous Papers: TSLPRB is the recruiting organization for police constables within the state. According to sources, the Telangana Police Constable 2024 Recruitment notification will be released soon, with almost 25,000 vacancies to be filled. Aspirants should commence their preparation before the release of the official notification. Adequate knowledge of the TS Police Constable Syllabus, Previous Year Papers, and Cut-off marks will aid in preparing a study schedule. Download Telangana Police Constable Previous Year Papers in this article.

Telangana Police Constable Previous Year Papers Download

Preparing for the TSLPRB Constable Prelims & Mains Exam ahead of notification will benefit aspirants in many ways. To ease aspirants struggle and save time in finding Telangana Police Constable Previous Year Papers, we provided TS Constable PYQs PDF here. Before starting your preparation, you need to have an idea about the Previous year papers, Cut off and difficulty level of the exam.

Telangana Police Constable Previous Papers

Know details about TS Police Constable Papers from the below table

*  According to sources there are almost 25,000 Constable Vacancies in TS Police department.

Telangana Police Constable Previous Papers Download Link

Telangana Police Constable Previous year papers will provide knowledge on how questions are framed and the topics which need to be focused more. Successful candidates rely on PYQs, Syllabus, Preparation strategy, so download PYQs and Enhance your preparation. In this article your will get Telangana Constable 2016 Exam Prelims Question Papers PDF to help you in clearing the exam.

TS Police Constable Selection Process

TS Police Constable Selection Process involves 3 phases, they are:

• Preliminary Examination
• Physical Measurement Test & Physical Efficiency Test
• Final written exam

Candidates who qualify the preliminary examination are eligible for the PET&PMT and then to Mains exam.

7 Reasons Why You Should Practice Previous Year Papers?

Solving TS Police Constable Previous Year Question papers help in many ways like:

• Difficulty level: Solving PYQs will help in identifying the difficulty level of the exam, and modify our preparation strategy to clear the exam
• Preparation Strategy: The Police Constable Exam is held in Prelims and Mains, these PYQs will provide a way to create a foolproof preparation strategy that benefits in clearing the TSPLRB Constable 2024 Notification
• Time Management: Solving PYQs will help us in answering questions within limited time and cover all the sections in the exam. Practice PYQs so that it helps you improve your overall time management skills during the actual exam.
• Identifying Exam Pattern: PYQs will provide a clear idea on Exam pattern, how the questions are asked, most important topics, and weightage of the questions from the syllabus.
• Self-Assessment: By practicing TS Police Constable Previous Year Question Papers you will get to know about your knowledge capability by assessing the actual exam. Aspirants can modify their preparation strategy according to their self-assessment strategy.
• Boosts your confidence levels: Solving PYQs will not only provide knowledge on the exam pattern, difficulty level but also boosts your confidence levels and help you in clearing the exam at ease. With rigorous practice aspirants can ace the TS Police Constable 2024 Recruitment but when in times of low levels Solving PYQs will boost their Confidence and enhances their preparation standards.
• Accuracy and Speed: Solving TS Police Constable Previous Year Question Papers will improve your speed and accuracy during the exam which ultimately leads to your selection.

How to prepare for TS constable exam?

One should be aware of TS Constable Exam syllabus, Previous Year Papers, Cutoffs and Preparation strategy before preparing for TS Constable exam as these details give detailed knowledge about the exam and protsptsvide a way to ace it. Look at the syllabus and make a preparation strategy according your strengths and weaknesses.

How to crack Police Constable exam in first attempt?

To succeed in the TS Police Constable exam on your first attempt, you need a flawless preparation strategy. Gather all relevant information about the exam, including the syllabus, previous year question papers, cut-offs, and study materials. Maintain unwavering determination and work diligently, allowing your success to resonate loudly, proclaiming your victory.

How to Download TS Police Constable PYQs?

Candidates can download TS Police Constable Previous Year Question Papers from this article.

• Previous Year Question Paper

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

IMPORTANT EXAMS

• SSC CGL 2024
• SSC CHSL 2024
• SSC GD Constable 2024
• SSC Selection Post 2024
• SSC Stenographer 2024

Our Other Websites

• Teachers Adda
• Current Affairs
• Defense Adda
• Engineers Adda
• Adda School

Exam Calendar 2024

• SSC Calendar 2024
• IBPS Calendar 2024

Download Adda247 App

Follow us on

• Responsible Disclosure Program
• Cancellation & Refunds
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy