When planning for a test, make sure you get the answers to the questions below. Ask your instructor to provide explicit written instructions to avoid any potential misunderstandings.

1. Which resources* are you allowed to consult during the exam? To ensure you maintain academic integrity, use the resources you have explicit permission to use!
2. Are you allowed to collaborate with others on the test? Don't communicate with anyone other than your instructor unless you have explicit permission to do so.
3. How can you communicate with your instructor during the test?
4. What should you do if you experience technical issues during the test?
5. How long do you have to write the test? What is the submission deadline? 
6. What type of questions will be on the test?
   Multiple choice? Short answer? Essay? Problem-solving?
7. Will you be able to move back and forth between questions during the test? Will there be a time limit set for individual questions?
8. What hardware and software are required for the test?

*Be aware that homework help sites like Chegg or general search engines like Google may not be considered permissible resources by your instructor.

    Try this quick quiz to test yourself on the information in this section.

Demo the technology

If possible, demo any technology associated with a test to become familiar with the exam platform and the submission process. If it’s not compatible with your computer, you can address any issues ahead of time. Additionally, becoming comfortable with the testing process can reduce some of the anxiety associated with the test.

Consider levels of learning

Determine the level of learning that you will be tested at and match your studying to it. It may not be enough to just memorize when you will need to analyze problems and apply concepts. 

The following course components can help you determine the test level:

- D2L announcements
- Course outline
- Learning objectives
- Assignments and tests
- Practice tests and exercises

Resource: Check out our Successful Online Learning and Memory pages for more study strategies.

Do practice tests

Practice testing is an effective way to prepare for an exam. It reinforces your understanding of the material and can help identify gaps in your preparation. Ask your instructor for practice material or make your own by coming up with possible test questions. Try to reproduce test conditions as much as possible.

Practice the format of the test. Consider the types of questions (e.g., multiple choice, short answer, essay, etc.), the format (e.g., fixed order) and the level of learning (e.g., remember, apply, analyze, etc.).

Set a timer. Become familiar with the potential feelings of anxiety or urgency that can come with a timed test. Practice budgeting a specific amount of time for questions and moving on to the next question when your timer goes off, even if you’re not satisfied with your answer.

Limit your resources to only those that are permitted on the actual test. You do not want to become reliant on something or someone that will not be available during the test, or that could tempt you to make decisions that are inconsistent with academic integrity.

Identify the errors you made and adjust your studying and test-writing strategies. Were there conceptual, calculation, or careless mistakes? Did you run out of time or struggle with certain kinds of questions more than others?

Prepare your exam-writing space

If you are able to write the test at home, prepare your space effectively. 

• Choose a well lit and comfortable location with minimal distractions and enough room for all of your materials.
• Let your family and/or roommates know when you will be writing your tests (whether practice tests or the real thing!).
• Gather all of your test-writing materials. Consider things like writing utensils, erasers, paper, a laptop, notes, textbooks, and something to drink.
• Prepare any permitted resources. (Remember: Check with your instructor if you're not sure if a certain type of resource is allowed!)
  • Decide if your summary notes will be paper or digital and how you will organize them for easy access.
  • Bookmark the textbook so that you can quickly reference information.
  • Open any browser tabs that you may need ahead of time.

    Try this quick quiz to test yourself on the information in this section.

Different types of exams require different preparation and different test-taking strategies.

Open-book exams

An open-book exam could be

• a timed exam, or
• a take-home exam, which often involves an essay component and has a longer period of time to complete it.

For exams that have an essay portion, consider this keyword handout to help identify what it is that you need to do.

A common misconception of open-book exams is that you don't need to study as much because you can rely on your extra resources. Due to the time constraint of an exam, it may not be possible to look up information for every single question. Study for an open-book exam like it was closed-book so the information is quickly retrievable from memory. Also, prepare your notes and textbook so that material can be easily accessed.

Multiple choice exams

Multiple choice exams tend to have many questions, and having to reason your way through the questions and choices can be exhausting. Here are some tips:

• Read through questions carefully so that you don't miss important qualifiers (e.g., all, always, sometimes, most, best, never). Underline these keywords to help you focus on what the question is asking.
• Read the question and try to come up with the answer before reading the options so that you don’t get led astray by the distractors.

• Read the question stem with each choice and see if it seems logical and correct.
• Look for what’s wrong rather than what’s right in the choices.
• Take the question at face value and not assume more than the question states.
• See if the answer is there but written in a different form.
• Look to the choices for hints. Is there any terminology that indicates a concept or section of the course material to help you identify how to start or where to look?

    Try this quick quiz to test yourself on the information in this section.

Do you experience anxiety when you have to take a test? You are not alone! Many students experience some form of anxiety before, during, or after an exam or test. In fact, some level of nervousness can help you stay focused and alert during an exam, but too much anxiety can interfere with your success. If you’re feeling uncomfortably nervous before an exam, try some of the strategies below.

Resource: MRU Student Counsellors regularly support students dealing with anxiety through one-on-one appointments and online webinars. 

Relax your body.

Practice techniques to calm physical symptoms of anxiety:

• Control your breath. Breathe in slowly through your nose deep into your belly, hold it for 5 seconds, then exhale through your mouth, and repeat.
• Relax your muscles. Make a tight fist, hold for a few seconds, then release and focus on your hand relaxing.
• Visualize positive imagery. Think of a scene that is calming for you, or imagine a positive testing experience.

Try searching “relaxation” online to find many more resources for relaxing your body. You can also check out BreathingRoom™, an online program designed to strengthen resiliency and coping skills.

Check in with your thoughts.

• Don’t be afraid to pause. Notice anxious thoughts when they arise, slow down, breathe deep, and take a moment to regroup.
• Aim for balance. Substitute unhelpful thoughts (e.g., “I’m going to fail”) with more balanced ones (e.g., “I recognize this test is important to me and it’s understandable why I’m anxious, but it’s one of many opportunities to do well in this class”).
• Stay grounded. Let go of thoughts about the future and ground yourself in the present moment. Try using the 5-4-3-2-1 technique: acknowledge 5 things you see, 4 things you can touch or feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste in your current surroundings.
• Remind yourself of the hard work and resourcefulness you’ve shown to get to this point (e.g., “I’ve done the best I can under the circumstances”).

Practice healthy physical habits.

• Try to get as much sleep/rest as possible (between 7-9 hours) prior to an exam.
• Stay hydrated and limit your intake of caffeine or other substances that increase anxiety. Keep a water bottle near you when studying or taking an exam.
• Prioritize eating. Nourish your body with snacks and meals that have a balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, as these will keep you feeling satisfied and energized for longer during study sessions and exams.
• If possible, get outside just before the exam. Going for a walk or sitting outside in the fresh air will help you feel more relaxed.

These techniques are most effective when practiced on a regular basis! Try building them into your everyday routine.

Pro tip: Avoid studying “new” information (material you haven’t studied before) the night before an exam. Realizing you’re unfamiliar with material is likely to set off your nervous system and create feelings of anxiety.

Read instructions carefully

If you are unsure about what you have to do, ask your instructor (and only your instructor).

Budget and manage your time

• To estimate how much time you have for each question, take the amount of time and divide it by the number of questions
  (e.g., 150 minutes for 50 questions gives you 150/5=3 minutes per question).
  Some questions will take longer than others, but this can guide your pace during the exam.
• Make the most of your time by looking over your exam if you finish early.
• If the order of the questions isn’t fixed, answer the questions that you’re sure of first, and be okay with skipping questions and revisiting them later. This can help you build confidence and get into a test-writing rhythm.

Stay calm and do the right thing

Complete all of your academic work, including exams, honestly. This seems obvious, but when we feel stressed and under time pressure, it can be tempting to do something we know we shouldn't. 

Unless you have been told otherwise by your instructor,

• don't accept help from anyone during an exam,
• don't start the exam at a different time than the posted start time,
• don't submit work that is not yours.

One poor decision can have the power to completely change your educational experience; you could potentially lose everything you have worked so hard for already. Do the right thing.

Learn more about academic integrity at Mount Royal University.