General Strategies

1. Arrive a few minutes early to the examination room so that you won't start the exam feeling rushed.
2. Read the exam directions thoroughly.
3. After putting your name on the exam turn it over and unload on the back of the exam. Jot down any keywords, concepts, and ideas that are in your mind which you wish to get down on paper. Perhaps you feel shaky about this information or perhaps you only recently studied the information and want to get it down on paper while it is still fresh in your mind. Unloading or dumping relieves anxiety and prevents forgetting.
4. Budget the time you have to take the test. Know how many minutes you have and how many questions there are. Know if different questions have different point values and concentrate on those questions with the greatest point value.
5. Don't get bogged down on any one question.
6. Answer the easiest questions first. If you are dealing with a difficult question, skip it, move on to the next question, and go back to it at the end of the exam. You may find the answer or a clue to the answer to a difficult question later on in the exam.
7. If marking answers on an answer sheet, be sure your answers correspond to the correct numbers on the answer sheet.
8. Answer all of the questions unless points are deducted for incorrect answers.
9. If you begin to feel anxious, stop for a moment and try deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or visualization.
10. Check your answers carefully.