Succeeding in Exams

Introduction

An examination is an assessment of individual knowledge on a particular subject or field. The assessment focuses on the core concepts of a subject or a series of topics. The interpretation of the concepts determine whether more assessments are needed or training needed by an individual. Exams are performed in schools, universities or office environments for employee evaluations. This essay will highlight different features of examinations and how to successfully complete them.

Exam Types and Questions

There are numerous types of exams. According to Fredericks et al. (2021) they are normally classified into 3 main categories. These are closed, restricted and open book exams. Most exams consists of 3 sections. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), short answer and long answers.

MCQ’s have a list of possible answers. The examinee must identify the correct answer. They might be required to underline, crossout, circle or mark the answer on the grid provided by the invigilator. Many consider these questions easy with the reasoning as the probability of getting the answer correct is closer to the ballpark of 50%. This notion often leads to under preparation of this section leading the examinee to panic at the last moment.

Short answers should be written for questions which have a marking specified between 1 to 5. If any instructions are given in the section implying to the answer being written short, adhere to it. Questions given to define a terminology is one example of short answer questions. The purpose of short answer questions is to judge the main elements of the subject with precise accuracy.

Long answer are sometimes referred to as essay type questions. Long answer questions are given higher marks in examinations. Questions are phrased to make the examinee think critically. The answers given to these questions shows the understanding towards the subject. These types of questions prove to be difficult to students that experience discomfort.

Inter-Personal Skills

1.     Time Management

Managing time is crucial to succeed in exams. Dividing the study times can help diversify the topics needed to be read and research upon. Management of valuable time can be a daunting task to many if there is no plan for it. Creating timetables, lists and writing on to do notes are some ways people use to manage time. Create a priority list in the head before writing it down. Priority should be given to tasks that are time sensitive first and then based upon the importance of other tasks. For example, creating summery notes before revision week. If done successfully it can also help clear the schedule for recreational activities to lead a healthy lifestyle.

2.     Self Actualization

Self Actualization is a checklist a person takes to fulfill their necessities in life. The list starts with the highest priority. Physiological, safety, love, esteem and finally self actualization. Physiological needs are conditions that every human beings require to live. These include food, water and shelter. Safety is a state of being in which someone is content with their standing in life. This security is often stated as not jumping from paycheck to paycheck. When this is satiated esteem comes next. Personal accomplishments and the joy brought by it can propel someone to achieve self actualization. In this stage of the development a person is at their peak in creativity. With no doubts about any subject, any student can show the best results in their exams. This checklist cannot be completed within a normal human life span but can help as a template to achieve the best results in everyday life.

Examination Strategies

Examinations can be tackled with a multitude of techniques. Planning, rehearsing, seeking information, organizing, keeping notes, revision and self evaluation can help in studying for upcoming exams (Biber, 2022). Planning your studies with a time chart or a time table allows the use of limited time constraints as an advantage. Rehearsing can be done by attempting to complete any past papers of the exams if available. If any past papers are unavailable, a questionnaire made by a friend works as a substitute. Seeking information from reputable sources such as journals, e-books and websites can lead to increase in knowledge. This increase improves the chances of not getting surprised with any unfamiliar questions in the examination.

Keeping notes is a good practice for anyone, especially to examinees. Effective note making reduces the amount of information that is essential to be learned later. Notes assist in keeping reading materials in a tidy manner. Organizing the space used for learning keeps things easy to reach and grab on to without going through a heap of papers and books. A bookshelf and an organized desk keeps everything in its own area. Additionally, it can help when time is of the essence.

Revision in the classroom setting and at home provides confidence. The structure of the test will be imprinted on the brain after practicing a few questions in exercise worksheets or after taking a few online quizzes about the topics. Revision should be focused on topics with concepts that are hard to grasp on by the individual. Self evaluation furthur stipulates confidence, courage and determination. It depends on the psychological well-being. To be able to do an action with no hesitation.

               Prasad et al. (2006) explores self evaluation and it’s link to psychology stating that:

                                            …The results obtained by Riswanto et al., (2022), who discovered that SA and critical thinking have a big effect on engaging EFL students. Specifically, they discovered that SA and critical thinking play a substantial influence in engaging EFL students. This result is in line with the findings of research carried out by Huang (2022) and Namaziandost et al., (2023), who found that self-evaluation helps with both self-control and confidence, which ultimately leads to learners enjoying the experience more.

            When taking the exams arriving early reduces anxiety. Taking a look around the exam hall will get the examinee acclimated to the place. Checking whether all the stationaries are present and doing breathing exercises pass the time. Reading all the instructions written should be the first. Then skimming and scanning all the questions given. Finally division of time for all the questions with the time given for the exam. Underline the phrases that exhumes importance. This action reduces the time when rechecking the answers once all questions have been filled out. 

              Physiological and Psysiological Aspects of Examinations

             Stress is an excessive compulsion with worrying about a situation. It can be formed from different angles of life. It can manifest itself in personal or professional settings. Stress is often manageable with coping mechanisms. Such machanisms are taught by medical professionals but sometimes it can be self taught as well.

               Background of an examinee is the environment that they are in. The home environment is mostly referred to as the background but in some cases this can also involve work environments. Within the 24 hours in a day, half of the day is spent at work. This workplace can affect what the individual does with the rest of the day. Verbal insults from rude customers, managers or colleagues can demotivate a person. Same can be said for home. Physical and mental abuse leads to depression. In worse cases it invokes a desire to commit suicide as a means to escape from a hostile environment. These actions can only be reduced by the actions of others. If such harms are occurring, consulting a mental health professional is the best solution. 

              Personal relationships with the people in a close proximity in everyday life can swing the mentality of an individual towards life in a positive and negative way. It depends on situations that arise over time. Moments of happiness and the contrast in moments of sadness or grief. Importance of psychological well-being is stated in İşgör (2016) by saying that “Learning potential becomes prominent as a fundamental component for individuals’ maintaining their life healthily, harmoniously and in interaction with the others”.

           A healthy lifestyle is broken down into two major components. Food and exercise. The balance of both is essential. Food intake depends on the budget. Money should be spend in guidance from the food pyramid. A steady flow from all food group ensures the correct proportion and calories are being followed. Exercise comes next. The movement of the body to burn the excess calories and fat. The conversion of food into energy. Exercise can be performed in many ways. For example, swimming, running and cycling. Although there is no strict regimen for exercising, at least doing an activity for an hour is plenty.

            Conclusion

           In conclusion succeeding in exams trims down to the effort someone puts into it. The ways to balance situations, conflict and turmoil's of everyday life. Importance of personal lifestyles and overall physical and mental maintenance. Exams are hard for many and is seen as an obstacle rather than an opportunity to improve the knowledge base. The marks that is obtained should be perceived as an achievement in an of itself because it shows the journey of self discovery. The months, hours and days spent learning new information. The techniques and strategies mentioned above are just some of many that are used worldwide by different individuals.

References

Biber, B. T. (2022). Self-Regulated Learning Strategies Used by Students to Prepare Mathematics Exams. International Journal of Progressive Education, 18(4), 223–238.

Frederiks, A., Derrington, K., & Bartlett, C. (2021). Types of Exams. University of Southern Queensland.

Isgör, I. Y. (2016). Metacognitive Skills, Academic Success and Exam Anxiety as the Predictors of Psychological Well-Being. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 4(9), 35–42.

Prasad, K., Aladini, A., Normurodova, N. Z., & Belton, B. (2023). Take Language Assessment Easy: The Mediator Impacts of Self-Assessment, Test-Taking Skills in Predicting Student Evaluation Apprehension, Foreign Language Learning Self-Esteem, and Language Achievement in Online Classes. Language Testing in Asia, 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40468-023-00246-0