Looking for exam day tips? It’s the end of the semester and most of you are preparing for final exams. DON’T PANIC! By following these 10 exam day tips you can improve your grades. The principle behind these exam day tips is simple: calm students outperform nervous and tired students every single time.
Let me tell you about John (name has been changed), one of my friends at the elite law school we attended. John is very intelligent but he had one problem: he got overly nervous before exams. On the first morning of the bar exam I noticed that he was frantically reviewing his materials. During the lunch break he rushed to his car so he could study more. And I am sure that he spent every free moment that evening and the next morning reviewing his notes. He flunked the bar that time and also the next two times he took it. I can assure you that John was prepared and would have passed the bar exam the first time if he had remained calm.
Here are your exam day tips:
Tip #1
Remain calm and trust yourself. Did you go to class? Have you prepared the right type of outline? Did you make flash cards? Have you done the hard work before the exam? Did you watch the videos on my YouTube channel?? If you did all of that, then trust that you will perform to the best of your ability.
Tip #2
Get a good night’s rest so that you can perform at your highest level. In fact, watch a TV show or do something else to relax, and get your mind off the exam. If you go into the exam tired and stressed, you will get a lower grade.
Tip #3
Last minute cramming will confuse you rather than help you. I get the strangest questions from students within the last 24 hours before an exam, questions that make no sense and aren’t usually tested on the exam anyway. Last minute cramming will actually result in lower grades, not higher ones.
Tip #4
Eat a well-balanced breakfast as studies show that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This doesn’t mean to have a huge, protein- and carb-loaded, sugary feast for breakfast, but you want to have something in your system so that your brain operates at its optimal level. Check out this article for more detailed info on why breakfast helps your brain
perform better.
Tip#5
Before you leave home make sure you have everything you need for the exam, such as your laptop, pen, paper, or books. In fact, if you can, pack all that stuff up the night before so you don’t have to worry about it in the morning.
Tip#6
Plan to arrive early. I recommend getting to school at least one hour early as you never know what might happen, whether that is bad traffic, a flat tire, or a speeding ticket.
Tip #7
Stay comfortable. One way to stay comfortable is to dress in layers, as the exam room may be too hot or too cold for you. Also, if you need to go to the bathroom during the exam, then go to the bathroom. Don’t worry about losing five minutes of exam time for a bathroom break; otherwise you will be distracted as you think about how desperately you need to go to the bathroom.
By the way, I have one story related to bathroom breaks. A law students was afraid of losing anytime on the exam because of bathroom breaks, so he purchased adult diapers to avoid having to get up during the exam. Please, DON’T do this! It’s actually good for you to get up for five minutes, go to the bathroom, and get your blood circulation moving again.
Tip #8
Yawn before and during the exam as it is a calming technique—and it works!
Tip #9
If you are extremely sick on exam day then get permission to take the exam on another day. I’ve had dozens of students get a low grade because they didn’t know they could request an accommodation. Sure, there are those that abuse the system, but when somebody is obviously sick then they are entitled to take the exam on another day. Just make sure to contact the Registrar, or other authorized person, who can give you permission to take the exam on a different day.
Tip #10
If you are excessively nervous and can’t calm down, consider seeing a mental health counselor, a pastor, or medical professional. Another friend of mine, who also went to an elite law school, failed the bar three times before she went to her doctor. With medicine to calm her down she passed the exam the next time she took it. There is no shame in seeking help from a professional when it is necessary.
Conclusion
These exam day tips can help, but don’t forget to use the IRAC method for your essays. Also, make sure you understand how professors grade so that you can prepare for the exam. Now, use these exam day tips and good luck on your exam!
