It is important to start preparing for your exams well in advance of your exam date. This will ensure you have sufficient time to study, reduce your stress levels, and make sure you feel ready for your exams when they occur.
Here are some things to consider well in advance when preparing for your exams:
- Know where to find your exam. Establish what type of exam you will be taking (e.g., synchronous timed, flexibly timed, or take home), where you can find your exam (quizzes versus assignments), and if you will be required to take the academic integrity pledge. The type of exam you will be taking will determine how you should prepare, so find out early so you can create a study plan. Knowing where to access your exam and any pre-exam requirements will help you avoid technical issues and reduce your stress level on the day of your exam.
- Clarify expectations. Knowing what types of questions you will be asked and whether you are allowed any materials during your exam will help guide how you prepare. Here are some great questions to ask your instructor before your exam:
- What will the format of the exam be?
- What types of questions will there be?
- What material will be covered?
- Are we allowed to bring in any materials with us?
- Be aware of exam restrictions. Check with your professor about the restrictions for your exam. For example, it is important to be aware of the start date, due date, and end dates for your exam, and ensure you access and submit your exam on time. Also be mindful of time limits. Knowing how much time you have to complete your exam is important for budgeting your time during the exam. Make sure you understand if you are allowed to use any materials during your exam (e.g., calculator, formula sheet, notes, etc.) Make sure you put away any resources that are not allowed during your exam.
- Prepare a study space. Setting up a quiet, comfortable and distraction free study space is important for helping you focus. Keep in mind internet connectivity, noise levels, distractions, and if you will be comfortable in the space while writing your exam.
- Set up your device. It is recommended that you complete your exams on a desktop or laptop computer rather than your mobile device UVic’s Tech Requirements for more information.
- Test your Wi-Fi. If you use wireless internet, make sure the connection is secure and stable. If possible, consider using a wired connection as this will be more stable.
- Organize your materials (if permitted). If you are permitted to use resources during your exam, have all materials/notes organized to make it easy to find what is necessary. Consider adding tabs of sticky notes to pages to make navigation easy.
- Take a practice exam. Practice testing is one of the most effective ways to prepare for your exam. If your instructor provides you with a practice test, make sure you take it before your exam. Doing a practice test can also help you feel confident about the exam settings. If you would like to try out a practice exam to get comfortable with the quiz and assignment tools in Brightspace, you can register for the Taking Online Exams modules in 2020 Student Guide to Online Learning or Your UVic Learning Technologies courses in Brightspace. Navigate to the Online Exams Module to explore our practice exams. You can also access these courses under Discover on your Brightspace homepage.
