5 Ways To Get A’s & Improve Your Performance In Exams

Exams are a strange thing.

On one hand, you recognise their validity. Their power. Their strength. They’re, after all, an age-defying method to ascertain your academic ability, and a tool for teachers to determine whether you’re worthy of a gold badge, or a dirt bag.

Yet, on the other hand, you can’t help but fear their hazardous potency. Stressful in nature and draining in mental capacity, exams can make even the toughest man cry for their mama, and the strongest woman run to her daddy. Horrifying things, really.

And so, perhaps it’s only appropriate that the question begets:

Just how do I improve my performance in exams, so that I can avoid those damn dirt bags and forgo all the stress?

Well, if you came here looking for the answer to that particular question, rest assured;

I don’t have the answer.

But just hold on, because what I have instead, is an article compilation of some proven, tried-and-tested methods…

That MIGHT just… be the answer to that.

1. Develop a plan

A chronic believer in studying as much as possible and simply hoping for the best?

Well, here’s a tip from a former devotee to that particular notion… don’t.

See, studying for an exam mindlessly is akin to throwing weights around in the gym. You’re putting in the effort, but you’re almost certainly not getting any substantial results.

Kinda like me, so don’t be like me.

Now I bet you’re wondering: “How do I devise a plan? How does it work? Should I ask an insurance agent? Will that help?”

Well, I don’t know about insurance agents, but these are some questions you might want to keep in mind as you carefully craft your master studying plan:

• When will you start studying?
• How many hours per week are you dedicating to your studies?
• Which topics do you need more clarification on?
• Which homework assignments will you review?
• How many practice exams will you do?
• How many times will you review?
• How many practice exams will you do?
• How many times will you read through your notes and textbooks?
• What distractions might hinder you, and how will you counter them?

Now, you don’t exactly have to follow the procedure word-for-word. But do take note that a plan will help.

A lot.

After all, failing to plan…

..is planning to fail.

2. Get used to waking up early at least ONE WEEK before the exam

Chances are, your exams start early in the morning. Like really early. So early, in fact, that you’re still slobbering saliva as you dream of hornless unicorns.

“17 x 19 = 1 magnificent unicorn,” you chuckle to yourself.

As such, you’ll want to avoid that. You need to avoid that. In order to ensure maximum performance during exams, you’ll want to be at full gear when it happens.

And getting on a sleep schedule at least one week before the exam will help. Loads.

So if your exam starts at 8 in the morning, make sure to wake up earlier at least a week before so that your brain can get acclimatized to the morning climate. If not, your mind won’t be in an optimal state to take the exam.

Also, make sure to squeeze in eight hours of sleep every night. If you wish to improve your memory and mental focus, adequate sleep is of the utmost importance.

AND if you’re a firm believer in pulling all-nighters for some last-minute revision, here’s some advice: don’t. Instead, get adequate rest and be confident.

It’ll work tons better.

3. Abstain from last-minute studying

Believe me, I know all about it. After all, the notion of last-minute studying pretty much pumps new and old information into your brain, minutes before your exam commences. That’s a head start… right? Well, as it turns out, not quite. In fact, it could even prove…

Counter-productive.

According to Personal Excellence, last-minute studying may provide some psychological comfort, but it might actually do more harm than good. After all, as you frantically review facts or equations during those last few minutes, you might become more stressed and anxious, which will definitely not translate well onto your report card.

Instead, make use of the time to relax. Get into a state of inner peace (be like Po) and be confident about it. After all, taking your exams is kinda like asking a girl out.

Confidence will get you a long way.

Note: If you need tips for meditation, try taking a deep breath, inhaling for four seconds before exhaling for four seconds. Repeat this process as many as time as necessary until you manage to calm down.

4. Make full use of exam-taking techniques

You might’ve drilled all the necessary exam information into your head, but believe me;

Without proper exam-taking techniques, you’re still not gonna cut it.

Like Stan.

And so, pay attention to these deft exam-taking techniques, because they might just save your life. Grades.

Be familiar with the structure of the exam.

Familiarize yourself with these questions, because they might just prove vital during your exam:

• How many sections will the exam have?
• What are the differences between the sections?
• Will there be multiple-choice questions, open-ended questions, or both?
• How many points will there be in total?

Use a stopwatch

Screw that big clock everyone’s looking at. Use a stopwatch, because that’s the only way you’re gonna be able to keep track of time more accurately.

Look through the entire exam first

Resist the urge to answer questions right off the bat, and instead take some time to peruse the paper in its entirety. Get a feel for the entire exam paper and take note of which questions will be especially time-consuming. Thereafter, proceed to allocate the appropriate time response for each question, and get to it.

If you get stuck, move on

If you’re unable to answer a problem, think about the overall scheme first. For example, if you have 50 minutes to answer a 50-point exam, you’re effectively entitled to one minute per point. And so, for a 10-point question, you should be spending 10 minutes on it. Nothing more, nothing less.

And so, if you’re unable to answer a specific question and have exceeded the time response you’ve personally allocated it, do me a favour and move on. Because just like your ex, it’s not gonna budge just because you spend time on it. Wise up and move on.

But of course, once you’ve completed the rest of the exam, go right back to the question. Your ex too, if you still have feelings for them.

5. A Secret Weapon

And of course, last but definitely not least, we can’t forget the traditional secret weapon that’s recommended by every parent in the world:

Brand’s Essence of Chicken.

With generous heaps of protein, Brand’s might not get your A grade for you…

But it will still guarantee some gains. 🙂

This article was NOT written in collaboration with Brand’s. But…yes, they’re our client, for other engagements.