Online Exams: Survival Guide

ONLINE EXAMS SURVIVAL GUIDE

University Guidance Service

PREPARING FOR ONLINE EXAMS

Has it ever happened to you that, when you left an exam, you realized that...

You had misread the questions? You thought you knew things you really didn't know? You were so nervous that you didn't think clearly? You had a hard time studying?

Online exams are a new situation. Read on to find out how to perform better.

FIRST AID DAYS BEFORE THE EXAM DURING THE EXAM MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAMS TIPS OPEN QUESTION EXAMS TIPS ESSAY EXAMS TIPS ORAL EXAMS TIPS

FIRST AID PREPARATORY INFORMATION

A

B

C

D

Understand what you are studying and connect the contents with the information you already know. In online exams it is easier for you to extract the answer by connecting knowledge, and not just by remembering it.

When you study, look for similar characteristics that help you group information and identify common points.

Online tests emphasize questions that combine several concepts altogether.

Ask yourself questions: What does it mean? How does it work? Why is it important? How does it connect to the subject matter? Because it will help us understand more deeply and it will make it easier for us to memorize and learn. In online tests, deep understanding is less affected by stress.

Make your own pool of questions. While you study, think about how that content could be turned into an exam question. Use the same type of format as the new exam.

DAYS BEFORE THE EXAM

01

Identify your concerns about the new environment and share them with your teachers. I'm sure they'll reassure you.

02

simulate a test: same day of the week, same time to identify possible incidences. Also anticipate possible exam questions.

03

04

05

Sleep well and rest the day before: it is not the time to cram the night before that is useless. Now more than ever you need to have a clear and fresh mind.

Have a good breakfast that day. A few hours before the exam will give you the energy you need. Prepare yourself something delicious to start off with good vibes.

A little exercise first: it activates your brain, oxygenates it better, de-stress and raises your spirits. Have you tried jumping jacks by dancing to your favourite song?

The Process

IF YOU ARE NERVOUS Take a deep breath, you will decrease your anxiety and improve your attention.

WRITE DOWN ENCOURAGING MESSAGES AND REPEAT THEM BEFORE YOU START. You've done more difficult things before. Do you remember them?Â

BE OPTIMISTIC. YOU KNOW MORE THAN YOU THINK Even though you seem to have Reel Engine Studios | 2020

forgotten everything, it's just stress.

DURING THE EXAM

TAKE A LOOK AT THE EXAM Check how the questions look like or if there are any practical cases/problems that will take you longer...

ESTIMATE THE TIME PER QUESTION Consider the different types of questions if there are any. Save some for review, too.

READ THE TEST DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY You have to be sure that you have understood them well. There may be changes from past exams.

DURING THE EXAM

READ THE WHOLE QUESTION SLOWLY Be sure of what you are being asked and try to answer mentally before looking at the answers.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW ONE QUESTION, MOVE ON TO ANOTHER Maybe other questions will give you the key.

Anxiety blocks the recovery of information and new situations are always a little more stressful.

CHECK THE DOUBTFUL ONES BEFORE YOU HIT SEND Take a moment to review the most difficult ones; now the answer may seem easier.

AND REMEMBER TO CLICK TO SUBMIT ...

MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAMS TIPS PRACTICE CREATING QUESTIONS

TRUST YOUR FEELINGS The first choice is usually the best.

WE TEND TO PICK ONE OPTION MORE OFTEN THAN THE OTHERS Ex: more A or B or C. Be careful and think through the answer.

READ THE ANSWERS ONE AT A TIME, AND THINK IF IT'S T/F If you're in doubt, it'll help you rule it out.

THE ORDER OF ANSWERS IS RANDOM There is no response pattern.

OPEN QUESTION EXAMS TIPS PRACTICE RECALLING

ALWAYS START WITH THE QUESTIONS YOU KNOW PAY ATTENTION AND ANSWER WHAT IS ASKED OF YOU. Describe, list, classify, compare or relate.

BE PRECISE. USE CONNECTORS TO LINK IDEAS TO FINISH, REVIEW AND CORRECT 07/10

ESSAY EXAMS TIPS PRACTICE WRITING ESSAYS

READ THE STATEMENT AND SEARCH FOR KEYWORDSÂ REFLECT AND WRITE DOWN THE MAIN IDEAS DRAW UP AN OUTLINE-SCRIPT at the beginning to develop it and avoid forgetting.

USE CONNECTORS TO LINK IDEAS TO FINISH, REVIEW AND CORRECT

ORAL EXAMS TIPS PRACTICE RECITING FOR OTHERS

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE If you can, recite for someone else. It'll help you on test day, and you'll see what you're missing.

FIND A STUDY PARTNER to ask each other questions.

USE MNEMONIC TECHNIQUES to help you memorize lists, papers or particular information.

NEVER MEMORIZE WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING.

IN THE EXAM

MAKE AN OUTLINE if you have a few minutes, to prepare the answer.

SHOW CONFIDENCE, BE CONCISE IN YOUR ANSWERS and use subject-specific terminology.

MAKE A BRIEF RECAPITULATION OF THE AFOREMENTIONED If you haven't followed a proper order in your presentation, this can help you finish.

THANKS FOR WATCHING

For additional information orientation@uchceu.es