Tricks of the Test

Whether it’s a simple vocab quiz in Spanish class or an all-day exam, tests are an unavoidable part of student life. No matter how many tests you’ve taken, you probably wish the experience could be a little smoother.

Testing can be nerve-racking because an exam represents the unknown, says Blake Lee Zolfo. He’s a longtime tutor who helps students prepare for high-stakes exams. Although you usually know what material will be covered on a test, the exact questions are almost always a surprise. “A student might walk into a test thinking, ‘I don’t know what to expect,’” says Zolfo. “This might make you feel out of control of the situation.”

While you can never know exactly what will be on a test, you can do things to manage your anxiety and feel more in control. We can’t promise these strategies will get you an A+ on your next quiz. But we’re confident that they’ll help you stay calm so you can demonstrate your knowledge of the material. Read on to learn the do’s and don’ts of test taking. 

DO: STUDY A LITTLE BIT EACH DAY. 

DON’T: WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO CRAM.

Think of studying like preparing for a sports event. “A coach wouldn’t tell an athlete to not practice and then do a bunch of really fast drills the night before the meet,” says Zolfo. The same idea applies to testing. Get your brain in shape by studying a little bit each day. 

For a big test, aim for at least 30 minutes of studying three or more times a week for several weeks before the date of the test. If it’s a smaller test or quiz, start reviewing your notes three or more days in advance of the quiz day.

DO: GET ENOUGH SLEEP AND STICK TO YOUR ROUTINE.

DON’T: PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER.

Now that you’ve gotten in some solid study hours, the best thing you can do is get some rest. You might think you’ll get an edge if you stay up late doing a final review of flash cards, but that’s not true. Studies have found that students who stay up late the night before a test perform worse than students who get a full night’s sleep. 

The morning of the test, eat breakfast and drink some water. You want plenty of energy, and you don’t want to be distracted by a grumbling stomach. And studies have shown that students who eat breakfast perform better in school than students who skip breakfast. 

DO: THINK POSITIVE THOUGHTS.

DON’T: FORGET TO BREATHE.

As you get settled at your desk, take several deep breaths, each one lasting longer than the one before. While you’re taking deep breaths, you could think an encouraging phrase to yourself, like “I am prepared and confident” or “I got this.” You could even jot your phrase on your scratch paper to remind yourself to stay calm and positive.

DO: INTERACT WITH THE TEST TO STAY ENGAGED. 

DON’T: PANIC IF YOU DON’T KNOW AN ANSWER.

If your mind wanders, interact with the test to stay focused. For example, if you’re reading a passage, jot down your reactions as you read. Are any details funny or surprising? Write “LOL” or “OMG” next to those lines. According to Zolfo, your reactions could help you retain information. 

If you’re taking a math test, draw diagrams on your test or use your fingers to count through the numbers. If it’s a word problem, make a sketch of the situation. These tactics can help you visualize the problem and keep your mind on your work. 

DO: REWARD YOURSELF!

DON’T: OBSESS OVER THE RESULTS.

Congratulations, you’re done! Now that it’s over, don’t forget to reward yourself. The point of this step is to help you associate test taking with positive feelings. Even if you have several tests the same week, take a moment to acknowledge your accomplishment after each one. Treat yourself to a favorite candy, hang out with your friends after the test, or ask your parents for a celebratory pizza dinner. 

While you’re waiting for your grade, try not to worry too much about how you did. Think of tests as opportunities. For your teachers, they’re a way to see what parts of the material you truly understand and what parts are still unclear. For you, a test is an opportunity to show off all you’ve learned and to get a sense of what topics you should focus on in the future.