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Vancouver +1(604) 628-5783
August 4, 2021
Are you preparing for a major proctored exam or assessment? Pursuing career growth or an educational milestone? You may be wondering why proctored exams are important for your career. Proctored exams ensure academic integrity and demonstrate the validity of your hard work. Having a safe and secure environment can also take a major weight off your shoulders since your exam is the only thing you will need to focus on. To build your confidence and boost your score, here are six simple tips for your next proctored exam.
Create a realistic timeline and action plan for yourself so you can succeed on your upcoming exam. There are only so many hours in a day, so you will need to be sensible about the time that you have available to you. Keep in mind the particular modules that you need to cover and try to streamline your studying habits so that nothing gets overlooked. Remember to track your progress using either a calendar, notebook or a useful mobile app.
Try short, intensive study sessions with regular breaks to help you recharge your brainpower. Why do we recommend this? In an article on study tips for medical students, academic Anna Richmond suggests, "spacing your revision of topics [and] practicing recall before you revisit your notes." She identifies memory retrieval as the key element which will lead to your exam success and adds that "the neurological connections are stronger and information is easier to remember" when you regularly practice memory retrieval.
Reconsider how you multitask and try to dedicate specific time slots for studying. Some people love the balancing act of studying while engaging in other activities, but it is certainly not ideal for everyone. Be mindful of distractions and your attention span. There are many benefits to listening to music while you study, but try to avoid anything with clever lyrics that will grab your attention.
Get familiar with the exam breakdown so you know where to focus your energy. Knowing the exam breakdown is particularly relevant for anyone who is preparing to take a language proficiency test such as the CELPIP, CAEL, TCF Canada, TCF Quebec or TEF exams. These exams are quite thorough, so you should probably consider signing up for the CELPIP preparation program or hiring a professional tutor to help with your exam preparation. Be sure to read our previous blog on how to become a better listener so you learn all about active listening tips and techniques which are sure to help your language proficiency score. You can also check out these additional preparation resources for the TCF Canada and TCF Quebec exams.
Only use flashcards if you know the style of learning works for you. You could also consider trying Quizlet to reduce the time you spend creating your set of flashcards by hand. When you create flashcards, it also helps to rephrase the material in your own words so you really absorb it.
Remember to take care of yourself and stay hydrated during your study sessions. Grades matter, but your health and wellbeing are important too. Rest assured that taking care of yourself in some small way will not cause you to lose out on valuable study time.
Now that you are better prepared to ace your exam, you will want to book your exam day well in advance. Make sure to choose a safe and secure testing environment such as ATS. We put your safety first by ensuring that our space is thoroughly cleaned before and after each and every exam sitting. Check out an exclusive interview with our director of operations to learn how we are keeping up with COVID compliance.
Written by: CJ McGillivray