Content Updated 12/11/2024
At East Ohio College (EOC), we know that test-taking is one of the more challenging parts of education. Some students have difficulty memorizing information, others can experience test anxiety, and many struggle with the pressure of a test’s impact on grades. 
To help our students ace their next exam, we’ve created a list of our top 20 test-taking tips to help you perform better on your next exam. Keep reading to find the suggestion that works best for you!
Tip #1: Plan several study sessions to give yourself enough time to review the exam material. This will help you understand and retain the information better.
Tip #2: Use various study methods, such as reading the material, reviewing notes, looking at visual images, using flashcards, completing practice problems, or teaching the information to another person. Determining your learning style can help you decide what method will work best.
Tip #3: Select a quiet study location with few distractions, such as a quiet room at your house or the library. It can be challenging to study for your exam and stay focused when you are interrupted by distractions.
Tip #4: Meet with a study group or buddy and help each other prepare for your test. If you can find someone studying for the same exam you are, you can help and motivate each other.
Tip #5: Relax to reduce test anxiety with breathing exercises, meditation, thinking about happy thoughts, or picturing happy places. It can be hard to study when you are stressed out.
Tip #6: Practice positive affirmations and visualize yourself excelling on the exam. You can say statements like, “I will do great on the exam” or “I am prepared and ready to take the test.”
Tip #7: Sleep well before your exam to help you be more refreshed, awake, and ready for the test. Getting enough sleep before an exam is vital because it’s hard to think clearly when you’re not well-rested.
Tip #8: Enjoy a healthy meal before your exam so you will have the energy needed to focus. Don’t eat a lot of sugar, though. It gives you energy at first, but you eventually experience a crash of reduced energy, and you don’t want this while taking your test.
Tip #9: Drink water to stay hydrated during your exam. Since our bodies use water for so many functions, things may not work correctly without enough of it. One example is a headache from dehydration, which is the last thing you want during an exam.
Tip #10: Ensure you are on time or early for your test. This gives you time to clear your mind and relax before starting the exam. You can also use this time to ask any final questions before you begin.
Tip #11: Bring all the needed supplies to complete your test. You may need items like a calculator, a pencil, a notebook for problems or essays, notes from class, or something else.
Tip #12: Maintain a positive attitude before, during, and after your exam. A positive mindset can help reduce test anxiety, boost confidence, and help you relax.
Tip #13: Read all the directions carefully for each question on the test before you answer any of them. Getting answers wrong can be very easy if you don’t understand the directions.
Tip #14: Quickly scan the entire exam before beginning. Doing this will help you determine exactly how long you can take to answer each question or each section of the exam.
Tip #15: Skip and return to hard questions after you finish all other questions on the exam. If you spend too much time figuring out the hard questions, you may not have time to complete the test.
Tip #16: Don’t get frustrated during the exam, even if you are confused or don’t know all the answers. When we get overwhelmed and frustrated, we don’t think clearly, which can stop us from doing our best work.
Tip #17: Pick the answer that makes sense if you don’t know the correct answer and must guess. Making an educated guess is still better than not answering the question at all.
Tip #18: Save time to check your answers when you finish your exam. Taking time to review your answers can help you be sure that you haven’t missed anything and have thoroughly answered all questions.
Tip #19: Do something just for you after you finish your exam. Hanging out with some friends, watching your favorite Netflix show, or taking a walk in nature can all help relieve any stress you may still have after the exam.
Tip #20: Go over your test results when you receive them. Consider what strategies worked well for you and what could be improved for next time. Use this information when you prepare for your next exam.
We hope that using these tips for your next exam will help you manage anxiety, build great study habits, and boost your confidence!
East Ohio College is here to help our students maximize their education. Our career services department has resources to help students overcome obstacles they face during their education. Join the EOC family by requesting information on one of our nursing, allied healthcare, or professional services programs!