Both the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) are on right now. Writing exams can be a daunting experience for any student or pupil, that can make one forget what they have learned for the last four years or even what you read last night and even tempt some to cheat during exams.
However, exams are an inevitable part of the school experience, so it’s essential to find strategies for overcoming test-related anxiety and the pressure that comes with it.
DO’S
1. Get enough rest and eat well.
Before tackling any exam, make sure that you are not doing the exam on an empty stomach because you won’t be able to concentrate, a good night’s sleep is also important because the last thing you want is to feel tired and sleepy during exams. Remember, the outmost focus is required.
2. Pray.
For the religious students and pupils, the belief of a higher power helping you through and protecting you will go a long way in boosting your confidence as you undertake the exams.
3. Study.
The studying never stops; you can always learn something new or jog your memory about a topic that you learned 2 terms ago. Tricks like using previously set questions or revising while taking a few short notes will help you make the most of your study time.
4. Keep track of the time.
If an exam is made up of multiple sections, be sure to make provisions for an appropriate amount of time for completing each part to the best of your abilities.
5. Follow instructions.
Read through the exam instructions on the paper and abide by the official policies and procedures for writing exams.
6.Complete questions in a logical order.
Chronological order is not necessarily the most effective route for tackling an exam. Begin by answering questions that are weighted more heavily. This can help maximize the marks you earn, should you run out of time to complete the exam. Completing easier questions first is another useful tactic to maximize the number of correctly answered questions.
DON’T’S
1. Do not pay attention to fellow test-takers.
Glancing at others while stuck on an exam question is a dangerous trap to fall into. Not only do you risk being accused of cheating – but you’re also likely to grow increasingly confused. Looking toward your neighbor’s answers can also lead you to second-guess your own.
2. Don’t leave the exam room without checking your work.
It can be tempting to turn in an exam the moment you’ve answered the final question, but reviewing your answers will help you correct mistakes and achieve a higher score.
3. Don’t leave questions unanswered.
Attempting every question will help you increase your overall score by gaining partial marks. A few correct guesses can boost your score enormously, particularly in the case of multiple-choice exams.
4. Don’t grow anxious when you encounter a difficult question.
Contemplating failure and worst-case scenarios are unproductive, and will likely distract you from recalling information. Strive to approach each question with a positive frame of mind.
5. Don’t discuss.
After you are done with test do not discuss the exam or the answers you wrote with your classmates. Also don’t go as far as checking on the textbook for the right answers because it will only demoralize you in your forthcoming papers. There’s no use crying over spilled milk.
6. Don’t let the pressure get to you.
The pressure is a lot and it comes from the left, right, and center. From parents, guardians, relatives, friends, teachers and even religious leaders but it is important to not to let the pressure get to you, do your best, and if things don’t go well with the exams, you can always recover, you are not a failure. Exams results are not the end of the world.