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Taking online exams has advantages but also presents unique challenges for students. Compared to traditional exams, studying for online exams demands different strategies. If you want to get high grades on online tests, you need to modify your study techniques to work with the digital format. If you are suffering from online exam stress, follow the steps below. It helps to enhance your preparation for online exams.
How To Prepare For Online Exams
Whether you are taking the online exam for the first time or just want to ensure you are better prepared this time, we have mentioned some important points below.
Before Exam Day
Check Your Computer And Internet
It is essential to check if the computer system complies with your online exam requirements. Make sure you have a good internet connection. Usually, it is advisable to use hardwire internet to avoid any network breakdowns or issues. You should also have a plan of action if any technical problems occur during the online exam.
Set Up An Exam Environment
Set up a comfortable space where you will not be
interrupted. If you stay with your family or with other
people, make sure they are aware of your online exam and
don’t disturb you during the exam. Remove restricted
objects, such as phones, notes, etc., from your exam area.
Many
online exams
start with a video tour of your surroundings to ensure
that there are no visual aids that the student can use to
get an unfair advantage. Also, check the requirements, as
there may be other requirements, such as removing
additional monitors on your desk.
Make Notes And Study
Making notes and reading the material will deepen your understanding. You can list important terms, definitions, and formulas to revise them right before the exam. Even if your exam is open book, you will not have time to look at every answer. You need to recall information quickly. Use graphics organizers like charts, tables, and diagrams to organize your ideas and make information easy to find.
Complete The Practice Exams
Many online courses have practice exams. You can complete them as they have the same format as the actual exams. Try to do the practice exams at least 3 to 4 times. Use logic when taking tests, as some questions might change, and new values will be inserted. After solving the practice exam several times, you will know whether you are ready for the final one. If you don’t find it, ask your instructor to give it and also ask for additional recommendations for preparing for the online exam.
Understand The Exam Format
Ensure you know the exam format (timed or untimed) and the type of questions it consists of (multiple-choice, detailed, fill-in-the-blank, etc., or a combination of different kinds). However, test-taking rules should also be reviewed to understand what is permitted during the session. Lastly, find out if there are any computer system requirements, like blocking browsers.
Communicate With Instructors For Any Questions
If you need clarification on any exam-related material or have any inquiries, don’t hesitate to contact the instructors. Therefore, you might find the answers to your questions immediately.
On The Exam Day
Plan Your Time
Check if you are allowed a bathroom break. If not, make sure you have planned accordingly. If you are allowed for a bathroom break during the exam, you may have to scan your room again with the camera before you resume the work. Furthermore, if you have two papers, plan a snack for the break. It might give you enough time to get outside and reset before sitting down to the next paper.
Keep Track of Time
The majority of exams usually have some sort of time limit. It is recommended not to stay on one question for very long. In addition, it is better to avoid checking the time too often, especially when you are in the middle of a question. Therefore, you can set an alarm for 30 minutes to manage your time efficiently before the exam ends.
Get Into An Exam Mindset
Many students find it challenging to get into a proper mindset for an online exam while sitting in their pajamas in their bedrooms. Some also face fatigue and eye strain issues due to the time they spend looking at the screen during online classes and exams. However, it is suggested to keep the pre-exam session short.
Log in When You Are Ready
Always be prepared. If you log in to the exam interface early, the exam may start immediately. Furthermore, some students reported that they expected to see a countdown timer but ended up starting the exam earlier than expected.
Check Before You Submit
Check your work before you submit it. Make sure that every answer is complete and appears as you intended. In addition, review the accuracy of your answers and your spelling and grammar. Then, click submit. If you have problems submitting the test, let your lecturer know immediately and follow the instructions.
After The Online Exam
Assess Your Progress
After finishing the online test, go through your notes and check the questions you were not sure about. Find the answers to the ones you were not able to solve. Therefore, this will help you assess your progress in this exam and analyze what you could do better during the test and at the stage of exam preparation.
Check The Grade
Review your answers and check if everything is correct as soon as you know your grade. However, you can also ask the professor for feedback or explanations in case of any ambiguities.
Conclusion
As a student, you might find it difficult as online exams work differently. However, following the above tips for online exams and preparing correctly can help you complete an online exam and get high grades. Furthermore, if you have problems while doing online exams, you may also ask for professional help to take the exam. You can hire experts from reputable websites like TakeMyOnlineClass for acing your exams.