Taking Exams Under Pressure (by Tom Strand)



BEFORE THE EXAM

1. Do extra homework problems, but do NOT do one after another in the same 
section.  Skip from section to section.  Most of the difficulty when working 
an exam is properly shifting from one topic to another, and starting each 
new type of problem correctly.
 
2. If there are chapter exams in your textbook or old exams on file in the 
library for this course, do them.  Give yourself 50 minutes and work straight 
through.  Grade your effort; locate problem areas and re-study.
 
3. Get your normal amount of sleep the night before the exam.  Do not cram far into the night; it is not 
worth it.  Better to be rested and alert.

DURING THE EXAM

1. If you have to remember some formulas for the exam, write them down 
immediately after you start, near the top of the exam, for later reference.
 
2. Take several deep breaths before beginning to work on the exam, and also 
periodically during the exam.
 
3. Calmly scan the entire exam BEFORE working on any problems.
 
4. Work on the problems in EASIEST to HARDEST order.  Never do problems in 
1, 2, 3, ... order.  The WORST thing you can do is get stuck on a difficult 
problem, burning up time that you could be using making points on easier 
problems.
 
5. Never start on a problem without carefully reading it at least twice.  
Make sure you know that the question really is.  For example, don't supply 
Jim's age when Bob's age is required, and don't use "Method A" to solve the 
problem when the question instructs you to use only "Method B".  After 
finishing a problem, make sure you have responded to the question.
 
6. If you get stuck on a problem, don't panic.  Instead, calmly move on to 
the next easiest problem.  You will probably return to the original problem 
with a fresh viewpoint if you do not get too frustrated first.
 
7. Whenever possible, try to organize the problem with all of its data in a 
picture, diagram, chart, or table.
 
8. Check your work.  Watch out for absurd answers like "Bob's present age is 
12,000 years, or "Jim weighs -3.5 pounds".  
 
9. If you know your answer is wrong but cannot find your error, say so on 
the exam.


Last modified: Tue Sep 8 15:07:35 EDT 1998