The common assumption
Mohamad was sure about one thing when logging off his online class portal after his last online exam last semester, he would fail in that exam.
He had thought online exams were easy. He had the freedom of reference at his table which he relied on to answer his exam questions. With online exams, you are in your personal study space. No unnecessary rush for space in exam halls.
Mohamad sat back.
It is only after the exam that he realized the truth. Online exams are trickier than they look.
After the reality check, Mohamad understands the mistakes students make in handling online exams.
The most common mistake is assuming that everything will work well on the exam day. Machines can fail, you may fail to manage sitting the exam on time because of last-minute panic or you can simply find yourself unprepared for that exam. These mistakes can cost you marks and so, you need a guide on how to avoid them.
Let’s break down these mistakes;
- Lack of preparation
There’s a reluctance to prepare or revise for exams you feel are way too easy. While you spend hours reading up for in-class exams, you find your procrastinating your revision for online exams. It happens to students across the world. Throughout the semester, you engage in activities that do not prepare you for the final exam. For instance, many students are guilty of skimming through their course material and resources. Try this and you will regret it on the material exam day.
- Waiting to familiarize with the technical set up on the material day
A focused student attends classes, familiarizes with course content and technology early in the semester. Needless to say, many remain unbothered throughout the semester thinking they are set for upcoming exams. You often see them struggling to understand their exams in relation to the instructions provided on the portal. Worse still, some students don’t check and confirm their wi-fi connection beforehand. I have seen students who realize they don’t have the right browser to sit for their exams. This is a sure way to struggling through your exam as you waste time that would be used for answering questions in the right way.
You don’t have to be a case study. Make early preparations for your exams as this are usually announced early on in the semester.
On the exam day, here’s what you should do:
- Test your Wi-Fi speed and stability before the exam.
- Make sure your laptop is fully charged (and plugged in).
- Close unnecessary tabs and apps that eat up bandwidth.
- Disable automatic updates — they love to appear mid-exam!
Think of it like a football game warm up. Preparations don’t start on the match day. Players start their practice weeks before the official game day. Do the same and you will see the difference.
- You don’t ready instructions carefully
Here’s the naked truth – many students are always in a rush to answer exam questions even before they understand them. Smart students know that understanding your exam questions guides you on how to write your answers. The instructions can also give direction on how you should structure your answer. For example, you may be required to write a report for a business case study. For STEM students, you may be required to write code or answer questions in a specified style. It is important to go through the fine print to guard against writing answers for wrong questions. It happens, but it shouldn’t happen to you. Understand the format and submission rules beforehand to avoid a fail.
To ensure you understand the rules,
- Take 2-5 minutes to ready and internalize every instruction carefully.
- Check the question format for each exam. Some are multiple choice questions, others require short answers while others require essay answers. Take note!
- Note the submission method – it can be auto-save, upload or a timed submission. Be sure to submit in the right way. It will save you big time!
- Time Management
Time is the most valuable resource you have – not just in school but your entire life. Don’t think your exams are so far off in the semester. Early preparation makes the difference. Therefore, don’t waste valuable time on activities that will jeopardize your exam preparation.
This also goes for students who spend too much time on one question without regard to other questions. The question may carry substantial marks. You should weigh your strengths in different topics so as to spend valuable time on securing a higher grade in total rather than just focusing on one question.
Here are pro tips to get you through any timed exam;
- Divide your total time according to the number of questions you will answer.
- Have a physical timer for reference and time management during the exam.
- Deal with the simple questions before coming back to the more complicated ones.
Think of it like pacing yourself during a marathon — start steady, stay focused, and finish strong.
5. Many forget to practice for exams
It is not enough that you are confident about handling the exam. The online format requires preparation which means that you will have to practice for the final exam.
Find mock exams on the internet and attempt to answer them within the set requirements. Practice tests are a sure way to prepare you for the exam environment. By doing this, you reduce the risk of surprise during your final exams.
Make sure you mimic exam-like conditions in your practice using your laptop, timer, and other online tools that will be used in the final exam. This will help reduce anxiety and build your confidence as you approach your final exam.
6. Failing to Create a Conducive Exam Environment
Your environment determines your readiness to handle an exam. Some students only realize they are in a noisy space during their exam. Some students struggle typing on their keyboards because of poor lighting. Constant distractions are a major way students fail their online exams.
Make sure you are in a comfortable, quiet environment with sufficient lighting for your exam. Inform your family members about the exam timing to avoid any distractions during the exam. Turn off your phone during the exam to avoid unnecessary distractions. Work with your timer. It helps get you in the mood of writing your online exam.
7. Not Checking the Academic Integrity Rules and seeking help when you need it
Most online exams have strict monitoring systems and plagiarism checks. Students who don’t check and understand these rules risk getting flagged. To avoid this, familiarize with exam rules early on in the semester. They will feel normal on the material day. Avoid switching tabs or accessing unauthorized materials during the exam or test. Your camera and microphone should be on or off – as required by specific exam rules.
You don’t have to struggle alone. Many students face challenges handling online exams and it is for a good reason. Our tutors help you prepare covering everything from mock exams and topical questions that may be challenging. We handle all courses including; Business Management, Computer Science, Engineering, Law, and Psychology – among others.
Because sometimes, all it takes is the right guidance to turn a stressful exam into a success story.
Need expert guidance? Let us help you prepare for your next online exam.
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