During the exam
When sat in the exam hall, keep calm and focussed on the task at hand. Remember to read all the instructions before putting pen to paper and make sure you allocate your time carefully in order to answer all the required questions.
One day before the exam
Before each exam, make sure you:
- get enough rest and sleep
- active brains need a balanced diet - eat sensibly, don't skip meals or make do with snacks
- check on the starting time and allow plenty of time to get there
- check that you have everything you need. Make yourself a checklist.
10 minutes before the exam
Make sure you:
- turn off your mobile phone
- Follow the invigilator's instructions as to where to put it, and any bags
- check your pockets to make sure you don't take forbidden items into the exam.
Remember, you can be disqualified if you are found to have any unauthorised material.
In the exam
Everyone gets nervous in exams. Take a deep breath before you go in and remember these basic guidelines:
- even though you may be nervous or worried, listen to what the teacher in charge tells you to do. If it is a written exam, read the instructions on the question paper carefully before you start writing
- if you think that something is wrong, if you feel unwell, or if something is distracting you, put up your hand until a supervisor arrives
- make sure you do not communicate with, or look at the work of, any other candidate. You can be disqualified if you break the exam rules in any way.
Tips - Before you start writing:
- Read the instructions on the front of the paper carefully
- Make sure you know how many questions you should be answering
- Read the questions slowly, then read them again - it's all too easy to misread when you are nervous
- Answer the questions on the paper rather than the questions you were expecting
- Choose the questions you think you can answer best, where there is a choice
- Compare the marks allocated to each question and use this as a guide to the time you spend on each
- Allow enough time to answer all the questions and to check back over your work
- Try not to panic if you are unable to answer a question. Move on to the next question and come back to the difficult one later
- Take care with your presentation - your answers need to be clear to the examiner