Standardized exam preparation tips

Whether you are getting ready to apply for college admission or seeking a professional certification, preparing for a standardized exam can be very stressful. Not only do you need to have a solid understanding of the material covered by the exam, you also need to know how to read questions that sometimes seem to be worded in a deliberately difficult way.

To put the problem together, you also need to cope with the added variable that is about completing your exam with an allotted time in a controlled test environment. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to remove some of the stress from the standardized test recording process.

Testing takes techniques

If it's been a while since your last standardized exam, you'll probably need to spend some time refining your test-taking skills before actually taking your test. Most standardized exams consist of multiple choice or true / false items or a combination of the two types of questions.

For multiple choice questions, be sure to read the question very carefully. Try to choose the keywords so that you can be sure that you clearly understand what is being asked. The next step is to read all possible carefully and remove those that are obviously wrong. This elimination process helps you narrow down your choices for each item, increasing the odds of you choosing the right answer.

For genuine / fake test topics, it is important to read the question carefully. Keep an eye out for absolute words like "everything" and "always". The fact that a particular event is usually true does not mean that it is always true. Remember that if part of a statement is incorrect, the answer must be false.

Test preparation

During the weeks before your scheduled exam date, it is a good idea to complete one or more practice tests that are specific to the exam you are going to take. Score your practice test questions, and look closely at the things you missed. By making sure you understand the reasons why the answers you chose were wrong, you will be in a better position to interpret the questions correctly next time.

As you prepare for the exam, learn what you can about the way the test is scored. It is very important to find out if wrong answers count in your score. If they do, you should avoid guessing if you are not quite sure which answer is correct. However, if there is no penalty for incorrect answers, make sure you do not leave any questions blank. If a wrong answer can not hurt your score, it only makes sense to try to answer all the questions. This can actually have a positive impact on the outcome of the exam.

On exam day

Make sure you eat a healthy meal before taking your exam. Do not go overboard with caffeine or sugar. The last thing you want to deal with is an energy crash while you are in the middle of your test. Leave your house well in advance to arrive at the test center with plenty of time left over so you do not get additional stress associated with running late.

The biggest issue you are likely to have to deal with on exam day is stress. Most people find it counterproductive to study or work through practice tests on the same day they are scheduled to test. If you have thoroughly prepared for the exam in advance, there is no need to exhaust yourself by squeezing yourself immediately before the exam. You should try to be as fresh and rested as possible when you begin the exam. Do your best to relax and focus before beginning your test.

Make your best effort

During the exam, make sure to reach each question carefully and think through your answers. Be aware of how much time has passed and how much time is left during your testing experience. If you have used the right exam preparation strategies, you will be in a good position to earn a unique score on your next standardized test.