10 Biggest Exam Mistakes You Need To Avoid
Exams can be really daunting, but they don’t have to be anymore! Exams can have a major impact on students overall grades. Mistakes such a s forgetting to put your name on a test could result into a failed grade. We are here to assure that you can cope well even under stress and do better. You really can!
Just so you get back on track,take a look at the following 10 mistakes you need avoid during exams….
1. Rushing through the questions
Not reading the question properly. This is the biggest sin of exam taking and one of the most common errors. This can be avoided by taking some time to reflect upon the question, rather than seeing that as wasted time and rushing to fill the pages.
2.Panic and procrastination
Sometimes a task can feel so overwhelming that it’s difficult to begin. Procrastination takes over and you just can’t seem to get anything done. Try not to panic, protect and manage your preparation time, and don’t put off getting started.
3. Poor planning
In exams it’s vital that you don’t jump the gun. Take the first five to 10 minutes to read through the paper and plan the questions you’re going to answer in order of how confident you feel in that subject area
4. Insufficient reading around a subject
During revision time, students are too selective in what they choose to read, selecting one or two books and remembering as much from those as possible.You need to give yourself plenty of time to read, and not leaving it until a few days before an exam or assignment.
5. Focusing on word count
In both exam responses and coursework, students are often more concerned with quantity rather than quality. The best essays are those that demonstrate evidence of personal reflection and are not just trying to achieve a word limit.
6. Carelessness
Getting characters’ names or other basic factual details wrong just smacks of not caring. If you don’t care enough to do this correctly when you’re paying to be at university, what will an employer think when he or she is paying you?
7. Letting yourself be distracted
Letting yourself be distracted by watching what other people in the hall are doing. If the candidate next to you starts scribbling straight away, ignore them. They can’t have assessed the whole paper properly and they will almost inevitably run out of time by the end of the exam.
8. Not having a pen (and spares)
Not having a pen (and spares), ruler, and calculator (with spare batteries). This one is self explanatory – and inexcusable.
9. Poor spelling and grammar
There is a standard academic English way in which you should write. The best way to become proficient at this is to read a great number of academic journal articles and books and mirror the register, language and tone (but not the content: never plagiarise!).
10. Lack of analysis
It can be tempting to parrot everything you know when writing essays and exam answers. But to demonstrate your understanding you should engage critically with your source material. Always assume an informed reader — they do not need a plot summary or biographies of key figures.
