Exams and assessment

What are exams for?

Exams are fairly stressful for most of us, but they don't have to be unbearable. Some of the commonest anxieties and problems are caused by a confusion about what exams are for. Exams are NOT designed:

• To test your ability to memorise facts
• To ensure a certain number of students fail
• To make you feel bad

Instead, they are :

• A way to ensure that you are familiar with what you've studied.
• A chance for you to use your knowledge and think about the course as a whole.
• A way to concentrate the mind. Pressure can sometimes be constructive!

Most of the advice here relates to the kind of examination where you are required to write essay-type answers. However, the general principles relate equally to other formats such as multiple choice or practical examinations.

Getting ready for exams

The examination structure, content and organisation are outside of your control.  It is therefore crucial that you are prepared. Exams rely on ‘working memory’ which uses retrieval skills on demand.  Exams require you to demonstrate understanding using your own words.

Be ready for the exam 

Well-being – keep physically fit by doing physical activities, particularly those with a rhythmic element.  This will have a positive effect on your psychological fitness.  Exams require sustained attention and stamina. 

Sleep and relaxation – get a good night’s sleep the night before an exam.  Drinking alcohol or taking substances to help you sleep can affect your potential and your memory the next morning. 

Stop revision – last minute cramming can lead to increased anxiety and clogs up your mind.  It may benefit you to plan to stop revising at least 24 hours before the exam and use that day as an enjoyable break for you. 

Location – make sure you know when and where the exam is being held ahead of time.  If you are unfamiliar with the room, locate it.  If you suffer with exam panic, you may wish to sit in the exam room and engage in a neutral or pleasant activity, i.e. reading newspaper to calm your fears. 

Allow time – avoid rushing to the exam, but avoid arriving too early and engaging in conversations about the exam with friends, this is likely to wind you up and affect your performance. 

In the exam:

• If you feel panicky when first looking at the exam paper, try and relax and do breathing exercises.

• Read the exam paper all the way through once.

• Select the questions you will answer.  Avoid looking round at others and speculating about how they are doing.

• Decide in which order you will answer questions and proportion your time accordingly. Research shows that it is better to attempt your strongest question first; this enables you to get into the rhythm of the exam.

• Do an essay plan or at least write key words or ideas.  You may want to think about the meaning of the question by writing it in your own words.

• Read through your plan.  Have you provided a logical argument?  Are you answering the question?

• Stay focused on answering the question that is set.  Common mistakes are answering only part of the question, having a good answer but to the wrong question or misinterpretation of question.

• Try and stick to your time limits for each question.  If you run out of time on a question, seriously consider leaving it unfinished and go onto the next.  If you get a chance go back and finish it, even if it is in note form.

• Try and put each exam behind you once it is completed.  Avoid post-mortems of exams until you have finished all your exams.

• Try not to suffer in silence. Get help quickly if a crisis occurs during the exam period. Don't forget your GP, tutor and the Personal Counselling service are there to help.