On the day

q Allow plenty of time to get to the exam, but don’t arrive too early or you’ll sit around getting nervous.

q Resist the temptation to compare what you’ve revised with other students while waiting.

q Do read the paper thoroughly before starting. It’s time well spent. It’s very easy to misunderstand simple instructions when you’re under a lot of pressure.

q On multiple-choice exam papers, go through and do all the easy questions first then go back to the beginning and try the trickier ones.

q On essay papers, tackle the questions you feel happiest about first, so you can build up your confidence.

q Work out how much time you have for each question and place yourself accordingly. You have nothing to gain from finishing early.

q Always keep things in proportion. The worst thing that can happen is that you’ll fail. If necessary, you can usually retake an exam.

 

Find the phrases in box A in the article. Without checking in your dictionary, try to guess from the context what each one means. If necessary, use the definitions in box B to help you.

A

1) to sail through an exam 6) snatched

2) to gear yourself up for exams 7) the trickier (questions)

3) to stretch your legs 8) to tackle a question

4) to hinder your performance 9) to pace yourself

5) to wind down 10) to retake an exam

B

a) to make it difficult for someone to do something;

b) to go for a walk, especially after sitting for a long time;

c) to make a determined effort to do something difficult;

d) to succeed very easily in a difficult challenge;

e) to rest or relax after a lot of hard work or excitement;

f) to do an exam again;

g) to do something at a controlled, steady speed;

h) to prepare yourself for something you have to do;

i) taken quickly;

j) difficult, complicated, needing great care to do well.