Before the Exam

Planning:

Make a comprehensive list of everything that will be covered in an exam. Include lectures, chapters, assignments, sample tests – be detailed. Then place each of these tasks into your study schedule. Leave some wiggle room and at least one day to review right before your exam.

Studying and Testing:

Make sure you have a good study environment. Think of how your 5 senses are impacted and the time of day. Study through multiple means and at a difficulty level that is effortful, using retrieval practice. Mimic exam settings, including time and materials available.

Self-Care:

It’s important to take care of your body, your emotions, and to connect with people you love, even during an exam period! Make a plan to stay well emotionally, mentally, and physically. McGill offers many resources and support networks designed to help you thrive, including the Student Wellness Hub.

Day of the Exam

Review:

Now is not the time to learn new things. It’s time to review and solidify what you already know. Go over notes. Write down what you’re worried about remembering. Quiz yourself. Focus on content rather than feelings.

Relax:

To perform your best, you need to enter the exam feeling calm and prepared. Breathe and relax. Try box breathing to help stay focused in the moment: [graphic] Box breathing technique: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds. Repeat.

Execute:

1. When the exam begins, do a “mind dump” and write down what you are worried about forgetting. Then preview the entire exam; from there you can decide how much time to spend on each section. Start with the harder questions and questions worth the most.
2. Read carefully, highlight action words in questions, and take breaks.
3. Review your exam before submitting it.

After the Exam

Be proud of yourself

You did it! Plan something fun to do after your exam.

Review:

Review your exam when it’s graded and returned to you. Check for grading mistakes.

Reflect:

How did the exam go? What would you do differently or the same next time? This is how we learn from the experience and improve test-taking skills.  Here’s a checklist to help you reflect: Inventory of Test Taking Skills (Purdue University).