Tests are a common part of school and college life, whether that’s in class or as part of a formal exam season. For many people, however, they can be a worrying experience. In a 2022 survey of United States college students, 89% reported exam-related stress.
Test pressure and anxiety can lead to emotional and physical ill-health, but even if you’re someone who takes tests in their stride, it’s always worth having some tips and tricks up your sleeve to boost your performance.
In this blog, we’ll run down our top test-taking tips for students and those who work with young people. Whether you want to know how to study for a test or how to feel relaxed on the day, our guide will help you approach exams with confidence.
Tip 1: Study Effectively Through Spaced Learning
Preparing for a test should begin in plenty of time. Depending on your level of study and the nature of the exam, you may have a number of weeks or even months to study.
Spaced repetition is proven to be an effective study technique. This means repeating information at regular intervals rather than trying to cram it all into your brain in one sitting. In practical terms, this might look like:
- Splitting the unit of study into smaller chunks
- Creating a study timetable where you cover all the chunks over, say, the course of 1 week
- Setting up repetition of each chunk in your timetable. A great way to do this can be to review after 1 day, then 3 days, then 7, and then 14, if you have time.
- Using active recall methods such as quizzing (using flashcards or an app), testing with friends, or creating a podcast/primer/blog post that uses the information.
A sample timetable might look like this:
| Date | Topic(s) | Learning method |
| Monday 1st | The water cycle | Mind mapping |
| Tuesday 2nd | Biodiversity
The water cycle |
Create flashcards
Quiz |
| Wednesday 3rd | The food chain
Biodiversity |
Teach Dad
Quiz |
| Thursday 4th | Conservation
The food chain |
Mind mapping
Quiz |
| Friday 5th | The water cycle
Conservation |
Record podcast
Quiz |
If you’re a teacher working with students, you can help them to create spaced repetition schedules by suggesting the division of content into manageable units. Similarly, if you’re a home educator, make sure you weave the different topics into the timetable with balance across their range of subjects, e.g. math, science, and history.
Tip 2: Prepare Your Body
If you were an athlete preparing for a big race, you’d make sure you were treating your body right. Well, studying for a test is no different. In the weeks before the test, it’s important to get plenty of rest and good nutrition. Build both of these into your study timetable and stick to it.
On the day of the test, a breakfast with a low glycaemic index (GI) can be helpful. These foods have a slower energy release that can support your brain function throughout the test and keep you from crashing. Whole grains, such as oatmeal and wholemeal bread, are good sources of slow-release carbohydrates, and you should also add some protein and healthy fats.
For example:
- Omelette with bell peppers, served with avocado and wholemeal toast
- Greek yoghurt with berries and chia seeds
- Oatmeal with nuts, seeds, and banana slices
Tip 3: Skim the Paper First
It can be tempting to dive right in as soon as the exam starts, but skim-reading the whole paper first can be a great idea. You’ll gain an overview of what’s coming up, including the style of questions and which topics are covered. In turn, this can give you a clear idea of how to use your time and energy.
A 2023 study by Putwain, In de Wal, and van Alphen looked at the traits associated with “academic buoyancy,” i.e., a student’s ability to overcome setbacks when faced with challenges. Planning is highlighted as a key part of this resilience: taking time to plan your responses in the test can help you feel less anxious.
Consider the following steps:
- Use the first 5 minutes of the test period to skim the paper, noting in your mind what’s included.
- On a piece of notepaper, write down how long you have left and how many questions you need to answer.
- Note any long-form answers that may need much longer, e.g., essay questions.
- Make a rough plan for completing the test.
| Teacher tip: To make it easier for students to skim the test and create a plan, it’s a good idea to group questions thematically. You can also order the questions from easiest to hardest (or most complex)—there’s some evidence that this can help students feel more optimistic about their performance, as they create a quick impression of the overall test during the first few questions. |
Tip 4: Skip and Return to Tough Questions
We’ve all had those moments in a test when the question just doesn’t make sense, or the answer isn’t coming to mind. It’s easy to freeze up and feel discouraged. This can come down to too much cognitive load, when our brains have too much to deal with at one time.
One common tip is to move on from that question to the next one. Gaining more marks from the questions that you can answer, rather than spending the whole test time worrying about one difficult task, can help keep up your motivation and momentum.
However, it’s important to give yourself time to come back to a trickier question later on, especially if it’s worth a lot of marks.
| Teacher tip: The latest generation of digital testing, like the TAO assessment platform, supports adaptive technology to make sure tests fit each individual’s ability level. As students progress through a test, questions get harder as they get them right, or stay at the same level if they don’t. This can help reduce stress and anxiety as well as reducing excess cognitive load. |
Tip 5: Use Grounding Techniques Before and During the Exam
Before and during the test, grounding techniques such as mindfulness are a good way to reduce anxiety. These might include:
- Taking some slow, deep breaths to a regular count (e.g., 4 in, hold 4, 4 out)
- Alternate nostril breathing (holding 1 side of your nose shut while breathing through the other)
- Noticing each of your senses, briefly acknowledging what you can see, hear, smell, touch, and taste in your current location
- Scanning your body from the top of your head to your toes, noticing any sensations
Tip 6: Check Your Work
At the end of the exam, leave a few minutes to check back through the test for:
- Any questions you may have missed
- Any answers you want to revisit
- Spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors
Being able to reflect on your own work is an important metacognitive skill that can have a big impact on your performance. This can help you develop as a more independent learner with the ability to review and adjust your own learning practices—something that’s been proven to have a significant positive effect across over 350 studies.
Tip 7: Skip the Debrief
In my years as a teacher, there was one thing I always told my students. When you walk out of the exam, it’s over. Don’t suddenly rush to debrief with friends—this is a recipe for anxiety and stress.
For example, your friend might reveal that they answered a question totally differently to you, or remind you that you got something wrong. This can spark negative thoughts at a time when you can’t go back and change your answers. Walk out of the test with your head held high and move on!
| Teacher tip: With digital testing, you can set up instant feedback for students. This can help reduce the nervous waiting period. You might also consider other ways to design useful summative assessments, such as portfolio- or performance-based assessments. These reduce the emphasis on one-off testing, lowering student stress. |
Conclusion
For students, these top tips can help you prepare for and complete your tests feeling calm, confident, and in control. Don’t forget to seek support from your teachers if you need more guidance on how to plan your study and approach the test paper on the day.
And, educators, remember that considered test design can help your students succeed to the best of their ability. Using a reliable and secure digital testing platform like TAO can make a huge difference by giving you a range of tools to design and deliver innovative and fair tests at scale.
