The most important part of taking a test or exam is to be well-prepared.
Getting Prepared
The very best way to prepare for tests is to keep up with your coursework, ask questions about things you have tried but didn’t quite understand, and make a plan to review course material regularly.
Learning skills coordinators on the Castlegar, Tenth Street and Silver King campuses can help you build study skills and use strategies to better prepare for tests in your courses at Selkirk College.
Before the Test
Make sure you understand what material will be tested and ask your instructor about the format: (multiple choice, essays, short answers or open book) and what materials you can use during the test (calculator, formula sheet, technical drawings or other resources).
Make sure you know the date, time and location so you can arrive a few minutes early feeling calm.
If possible, have a good sleep the night before and eat a healthy meal. Bring water, a snack (if allowed) and earplugs (if you think you might need them) plus extra pens, pencils, and other supplies allowed during the test.
During the Test
Here are a few strategies that are useful for all kinds of tests:
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Look at all of the questions.
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Consider using a "knowledge dump" (ask us about this!).
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Make a plan for where you will start and how much time to give each section or question, allowing time to check your answers.
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Keep an eye on the time.
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Read each question carefully.
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If you can’t answer a question, put a mark beside it and move on. You can come back to it later.
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If you feel a bit panicked, pause. Turn your test over so you can’t see it and stretch or breathe deeply to relax. Remind yourself that some anxiety during a test is completely normal.
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Don’t worry if other students finish before you. No extra points are given for finishing quickly.
If you are interested in strategies for specific kinds of tests, or want to learn more about managing test anxiety, make an appointment or drop by the Learning Resource Centre nearest to you.