Exam day tips
What can you do on the day of (and leading up to) your exam to maximise exam performance and minimise stress?
The day before your exam
Give yourself the best chance to perform at your peak by getting good nutrition, hydration and sleep in the 24 hours before your exam. In addition, check all details and complete any checklist for the type exam you are taking by choosing the relevant section below.
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- To get prepared for all on-campus exams, use the handy Pre-exam day checklist (on-campus)
- Find out everything about how your exam will run, including venue details, what to bring and what to expect on the day at On-campus written exams.
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For this exam type, it is absolutely vital to complete the checklist for Laptop preparation (on-campus exams).
- Familiarise yourself with any practice exam or test community set up in your LMS. (Of course these are just for practice, don’t write your answers in this space during the exam itself.)
- To get prepared for all on-campus exams, use the handy Pre-exam day checklist (on-campus)
- Find out how your on-campus digital exam will run, including venue details, what to bring and what to expect on the day at On-campus digital exams.
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These are exams which can be taken online at your preferred location, such as your home or a pre-booked study space.
- To make sure you can access your off-campus exam successfully, complete the: Pre-exam day checklist (off-campus)
- Find out how your off-campus digital exam will run, including how to find your exam, details on formats including LMS Assignments, LMS Classic Quiz, Gradescope and Cadmus: visit Off-campus digital exams
- Familiarise yourself with any practice exam or test community set up in your LMS. (Of course these are just for practice, don’t write your answers in this space during the exam itself.)
Your final study session
Limit your last-minute revision to summaries, exam notes, or flash cards you have made during your earlier study.
Rather than diving back into detailed lecture notes or readings, you might:
- Cover your revision notes and then test your recall of the main points.
- Look over essay plans, formulae and/or any memory aids you have made.
- Remind yourself that you will earn more marks by being fresh and alert in the exam than by trying to cram another topic.
On exam day
Before you leave home, have a nourishing meal that will keep you going for the hours before you finish your exam.
Dress so that you won’t be distracted by the temperature. Exam rooms can sometimes be much warmer or colder than the weather outside.
Arriving at the exam
Arrive at the exam venue early to give yourself time to focus, calm your thoughts, and avoid any stress for being late. (Generally, doors open 15 minutes ahead of the official exam start time).
- If using a laptop, check it is connecting successfully to UniWireless once you arrive on campus.
- Talking about the exam with other students immediately beforehand can reduce confidence. If you’re chatting with others while waiting to start the exam, it’s best to stick to neutral topics of conversation -- perhaps what you might all do after the exam.
- Follow the rules for putting away or taking off belongings such as phones and watches (both digital or analogue). Check What to bring to your exam.
Managing nerves on the day
Some feelings of stress, tension or worry are understandable before an exam because exams are important, and they matter to you. Keep these feelings in perspective. Reassure yourself that you’re okay and you can deal with it.
- Get outside for fresh air or gently stretch your muscles if you have extra time before the exam.
- Focus on slow, deep breathing to help to calm your body and mind.
- Try practising some grounding techniques to draw you back into the safety of the present.
Tip: Use the 5-4-3-2-1 exercise
This is a useful method for reducing nerves by becoming grounded in your body. Name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can feel, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
For practical strategies to help you manage stress, visit the Guided exercises section on the CAPS website.
In the exam
Having a plan to tackle the exam itself can help you to work efficiently and stay focused. Here are some common test-taking strategies that you can try out and adapt to suit your exam.
During reading time
- Step 1 Read the exam instructions carefully
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Note any special instructions, such as:
- Do you need to answer all sections, or is there a choice?
- Are you required to label or write answers in a specific way?
- How should you make it clear to the marker if your answer continues onto the next page?
- Step 2 Make a plan to manage your time
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Read through the whole exam quickly for an overview, and:
- Note how many marks are allocated to each task or question.
- Calculate how long to spend on each, based on their relative value (don’t forget to allow a buffer of time at the end to review your answers).
- Decide the order in which you will attempt the tasks/questions. Prioritise those you are most confident answering and/or those worth most marks.
- Step 3 Read through again for detail
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Read more thoroughly, focusing on analysing the tasks and consider:
- What exactly is the question asking? Try restating it in simpler terms.
- Can the question be broken down into parts?
- How does it relate to the semester’s work?
During writing time
- Step 1 Write your name and student ID on every form
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Writing your name and student ID on every form can take up to two minutes. It's a good idea to do this as soon as you are allowed to start writing as you won't have extra time at the end of the exam.
- Step 2 Note down key information
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Jot down for easy reference:
- Details of your plan to manage your time (the questions you will attempt, in which order, and your time allowance for each).
- Any formulae, key terms, lists or plans you have memorised and which questions you will apply them to.
- Step 3 Work through the exam tasks
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Some tips to keep in mind:
- If you are running out of time on a particular question, give an outline of how you would have answered it.
- For paper-based exams: Make sure your writing is legible. If examiners can't read your writing, you may not get all the marks you deserve.
- Notify invigilators if you notice anything that seems off about your exam – for example pop up messages on digital exams. The sooner you let exam staff know, the less likely you are to lose time or work.
- Step 4 Do a final check
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Before you submit, check through what you have written for gaps, spelling issues or errors.
- Proof-read your responses carefully. Don’t lose ‘easy’ marks for leaving out a key word or a decimal point.
- If you have no idea of the answer, write anything you can think of related to the question, rather than leaving a blank.
After the exam
In the time immediately after your exam, give yourself some time and space. Try not to dwell on what might have gone wrong. Instead, do something you know you will enjoy.
After you’ve had a break, reflect on what you have learned through the process of studying for and sitting this exam. Take a moment to celebrate what went well.
Think about the content knowledge you were able to draw on and apply.
- Which topic areas did you feel most confident about? (Well done!)
- Did you notice any topic areas that you performed less well on?
- What can you do in future to address any gaps you’ve identified? Even for end of semester exams, knowing which areas you need to work on will be helpful for further studies in your discipline.
Consider the thinking, planning and self-regulation skills you used in preparing for and during the exam.
- Which aspects of exam revision went well?
- Which exam revision activities could you improve on next time?
- If stress impacted you negatively, which techniques did you try? Which worked best for you? Which would you like to try next time?
- Did you manage your time in the exam effectively? What might you do differently if you were to sit a similar exam in the future?
Note: If you have experienced exceptional circumstances that you believe will affect your ability to complete your exam, apply for special consideration no later than four business days after your assessment’s due date.
Visit Special Consideration for more information and how to apply -- including what to do if there is a delay in getting your supporting documents.
Final tip
Remember to focus on the things you can control such as planning the logistics of your day, maintaining a positive outlook and following your plan during the exam.
Related resources
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