Exam Prep II

Right Before the Exam: Sit calmly and do not think about anything else -- do not worry about other exams (you cannot do anything about them, but you can do something about the one you are taking now).

When Told to Begin: These minutes are critical for setting the pace of your exam experience. You want to start smoothly, work efficiently, and remain calm and focused. Here are some ways to do it:

• Write down anything that you are afraid you will forget during the course of the exam on scrap paper.
• Scan the exam: take a quick look through the entire exam to get an overview; note the number of questions and overall composition of the exam. A general sense of the exam is necessary to let you plan your time and will help you stay focused in knowing what you will be expected to do.
• Read the instructions: your professor may give you important information in the instructions, and not following the instructions may cost you valuable points.

Allocate Your Time: Budget your time and work within that time -- divide your time in accordance with the way the professor has allocated the points. The most points deserve the largest allocation of minutes. (Be specific -- it might be helpful to make a timetable to ensure you have properly allocated your time and have enough time to finish your exam)

After the Exam: Go home -- do not stop to chat with friends and discuss the exam. Do not relive the exam thinking about what you did or did not do. Instead, move on to the next exam where there is something you can do to affect the outcome.

For Students that take the Exam on a Computer: Make sure that you have a backup plan in case your computer crashes or if there is another mishap. Make sure you know exactly what to do in such a situation, and do not waste time trying to self-correct the problem. Also, do not forget to bring pens and pencils with you into the exam in the event you have to write the exam.

A Final Word about Open-Book Exams: You must learn the material as if you were taking a closed book exam; do not expect to have have time to look everything up! Likewise, do not waste time looking up answers that you are fairly certain are correct. Also, make sure you know what is and what is not included in your professor's definition of "open book" because it could vary from one professor to another.