Introduction
Examination day is a pivotal point in each student’s academics, in particular for those sitting for the WAEC and the NECO exams. For weeks or months a student will study, work through past questions, attend classes and go over key topics; what a student does on exam day which in many cases is out of the academic control actually has large scale impact on the final results. Many times a candidate will not fall at the point of knowledge but rather avoidable issues like being late, going empty handed, not reading instructions well enough, or letting anxiety take over.
What a student does to prepare mentally and physically for exam day is as important if not more so than the academic preparation. By going over the check list at home, bringing all that is needed, managing time well, and avoiding negative behaviors, a student can go into the exam hall with confidence and give them the best shot at success.
What to prepare before leaving for the exam day
It is a great idea to put together what you need for the exam the night before. At the last minute rush do not put off what you can do the night before in a rush in the morning you will forget things and create unnecessary panic. Key items like writing tools, exam materials, ID cards, school uniform or appropriate clothes, and any other required items should be put in a specific place.
Also have confirmed your exam time, location and transport to avoid any delays. Getting enough sleep the night before is very important for the brain to perform at its best. All night study sessions may seem helpful but in fact it will drop your concentration, memory recall, and alertness during the exam. A good night’s sleep will make you think more clearly and answer questions with confidence.
Wake up early and begin the day calm
At the break of dawn on exam day, candidates’ early wake up will allow them to go through their pre exam routine at a moderate pace. Also having a quiet start to the day allows for which students will have a sharp focus also which in turn will put them at ease with what is to present itself. After rising, candidates can freshen up, have a healthy breakfast if it is offered, and go over primary material instead of trying to learn brand new subjects. Also at this time of last minute study may bring up past issues which can cause undue stress, in fact it will do more to get a person to dwell on the things that may not even come up in the actual exam.
Rather than fret on what was covered during prep time and focus on the positive. Also to stay away from that which may bring out negative emotions like that of debate and other such disruptions, also avoid any grand plans for the morning. What we want to see at the exam site is a candidate that is a picture of mental fortitude, a body that is fit and which is prepared and is there to present what was put into study.
Leave early from home to avoid delays
Arriving at the exam site early is a simple yet very effective tip for better exam performance. That which late comers experience such as transit issues, traffic delays, or the unexpected will be what brings panic to them before the exam even starts. Entering the exam room in a flustered and nervous state is a sure way to not do well.
Students are to plan out their route and try to be the first at the exam. Also by being early you give yourself the chance to get settled in, confirm which room is yours, what materials you have with you, and in general get yourself in the right frame of mind. As opposed to stressing out in the last few minutes before the exam, if you arrive early you will be able to relax and go in with a clean slate. Good pre exam planning plays to better performance during the exam.
What to take to the Exam hall
Every WAEC and NECO candidate will do well to present at the exam hall equipped with all that is required to write the paper. This includes but is not limited to pens, pencils, rulers, erasers, mathematical tools as may be necessary and other given materials for special subjects. It is recommended that students use quality writing tools from home and not to depend on friends for stationery during the exam. Also note that which may waste time and at times cause distraction.
Also in the run up to the exam day, see to it that you have all the necessary documentation school or board specified items. Also before leaving the house for the exam hall do have a go through your material to check out that you have not left out anything. By coming to the hall properly prepared you also take care of many of the minor issues that can otherwise disrupt your performance in the exam.
Know what is allowed and stay away from prohibited items
Candidates should be made aware of what is and what is not allowed in the exam hall. Prohibited materials and electronic devices will get you into serious trouble which may also affect your exam results. Do not bring what the exam authorities have said is not to be brought such as unauthorized notes, mobiles, other materials that go against the exam rules you may not even use them but just having them with you may cause issue or a chance of suspicion.
Also you do not want the hassle of it. We also ask that you stick to what the exam authorities have put out as OK to bring. Also remember, exam rules are in place for all candidates’ fair play. By following them you are proving you are a responsible candidate and can focus totally on your own study and preparation without issue of discipline coming up.
How to Improve your Time Management during the Exam
Many students drop marks in exams not because they don’t know the answers but because they fail to properly read the instructions. Prior to going at the questions, which is when the clock starts, candidates should go over the exam paper fully and out what is asked of them in terms of which questions to answer, what sections are required and the mark breakdown of each question.
Issues of which question to answer and how much time to spend on which section often arise from not reading instructions well. At the start of the exam students should be patient and avoid the urge to rush through the paper once it is in front of them. Full attention to instructions at the beginning will set a better approach for the rest of the exam and improve the accuracy of the answers. A little time spent in the beginning of instruction reading may save many mistakes later.
Practice good time management during the exam
Time is a very precious resource in any exam which candidates must learn to use well. In terms of exam time management, divide the time according to the number of questions, the mark scheme and the difficulty of each section. It is best that students do not spend too much time on a hard question at the expense of easy ones. A good approach is to go after what you know first then go back to the hard questions if time allows.
Also it is a good idea to start with what you are comfortable with then come back to the hard questions. Also students should be constantly checking the time during the exam to make sure they are progressing as they should. Proper time management enables students to answer more questions, go back and check their work and make the needed corrections. This skill can be developed before exam day through practice and mock exams which in turn greatly improves confidence and performance.
Review Your Answers Before Submitting
Before putting in your exam papers, students should take the time out to go over what they have answered. At this stage they may identify issues like blank spaces, wrong question numbers, typos, math errors, or that they’ve misinterpreted what was asked. Also students should not leave the exam room as soon as they finish if there is still time left for a review.
Behaviors to Steer Clear Of On Exam Day
Before or during an exam you may feel nervous which is normal, but giving in to that fear will affect your performance. Also do not compare yourself to your fellow students, worry overly about what the others are up to, or think you will fail before you even sit the exam in. Negative thinking will decrease your concentration and make it hard to recall what you have studied.
Instead of that, students should put all attention to the question at hand and go through each task one step at a time. Take a calm approach which will in turn get your brain to work better and help you make better decisions. Confidence doesn’t mean you know all the answers right away, it means you trust in your prep, you stay focused, and you do the best work you can do in exam conditions.
Do Not Engage in Examination Malpractice
Examination fraud is what we see as the biggest issue a candidate can have. Trying to pass off as knowledgeable in areas you are not or breaking of rules will get you into very deep trouble, which may see your results voided or other discipline action taken. What I tell students is that true success is from prep, integrity and personal effort. We see some students making poor choices out of the pressure to do well which in the end hurts them.
Instead of looking for easy ways out, students should develop good study habits, ask for help which they need and do proper preparation for exam day. By maintaining integrity during exams you build character and confidence which comes from the fact that what you have achieved is as a result of your own skills and hard work.
Avoid Distractions Inside the Examination Hall
In the examination hall full presence of mind is required of students which in turn means they should stay away from actions which divide their attention. This includes unnecessary talk, disruption of other candidates, watching what the other is writing, or giving in to personal issues at hand which in turn may waste time. Also each student has his own exam technique and it is unproductive to compare yourself with your fellow students’ progress which in turn may put you at a stress which is unwarranted.
What we ask is that students pay attention to their own answer sheets and also follow what the exam officials put forth as instructions. In addition to that we see to it that we maintain discipline and a respectful behavior which in turn creates a better atmosphere for all. A quiet and a focused approach not only helps you think better but also retain key info and in the long run produce better answers.
Conclusion
Examination success is not a result of academic know-how alone. What a candidate does before reporting at the exam venue, what they bring with them, their time management skills, and what goes on in the examination hall also play their role in overall performance. For WAEC and NECO students it is important to note that in addition to academic preparation, careful prep, confidence, discipline, and a positive attitude are key to doing well.
By coming in early, following the exam rules, wise use of time, and avoidance of simple mistakes students can go into their exams with more confidence and peace of mind. In each exam there is a chance to show what you have learned and put in effort. Students which stay focused and are prepared give themselves the best base for success.
