How to Prepare for an Exam

Many students feel nervous before an exam. The good news is that a clear plan can make you feel more confident. Here are six steps that really work.

Many students feel nervous before an exam. The good news is that a clear plan can make you feel more confident. Here are six steps that really work.

Step 1: Make a calendar. As soon as you know the date of the exam, count the days that are left. Then divide the subjects into small parts and give each part a day. A plan on paper is much better than a plan in your head.

Step 1: Make a calendar. As soon as you know the date of the exam, count the days that are left. Then divide the subjects into small parts and give each part a day. A plan on paper is much better than a plan in your head.

Step 2: Study in short periods. Most people can concentrate for about forty-five minutes. After that, take a break of ten minutes. Stand up, drink some water or look out of the window. Don’t check your phone, because it is difficult to stop.

Step 2: Study in short periods. Most people can concentrate for about forty-five minutes. After that, take a break of ten minutes. Stand up, drink some water or look out of the window. Don’t check your phone, because it is difficult to stop.

Step 3: Don’t only read. Reading the same page again and again feels useful, but it doesn’t help much. Instead, close the book and try to explain the topic in your own words. You can also write short questions and answer them the next day.

Step 3: Don’t only read. Reading the same page again and again feels useful, but it doesn’t help much. Instead, close the book and try to explain the topic in your own words. You can also write short questions and answer them the next day.

Step 4: Study with a friend. Explaining something to another person is one of the best ways to understand it. If you can’t explain it, you probably need more practice. Choose a friend who is serious about the exam, and meet once or twice a week.

Step 4: Study with a friend. Explaining something to another person is one of the best ways to understand it. If you can’t explain it, you probably need more practice. Choose a friend who is serious about the exam, and meet once or twice a week.

Step 5: Look after your body. Sleep at least seven hours, eat regular meals and go for a walk every day. Many students stay awake all night before the exam, but this is a mistake. A tired brain makes more errors and forgets more easily.

Step 5: Look after your body. Sleep at least seven hours, eat regular meals and go for a walk every day. Many students stay awake all night before the exam, but this is a mistake. A tired brain makes more errors and forgets more easily.

Step 6: Prepare for the day itself. The evening before, pack your bag with a pen, a bottle of water and your identity card. Arrive early so that you don’t have to hurry. During the exam, read every question carefully and start with the easy ones. If you get stuck, move on and come back later.

Step 6: Prepare for the day itself. The evening before, pack your bag with a pen, a bottle of water and your identity card. Arrive early so that you don’t have to hurry. During the exam, read every question carefully and start with the easy ones. If you get stuck, move on and come back later.

Finally, remember that one exam doesn’t decide your whole life. Do your best, and be kind to yourself.

Finally, remember that one exam doesn’t decide your whole life. Do your best, and be kind to yourself.