The Day of the Final Exam

No, it's not the title of an obscure horror movie, although it may seem so to some students. Here is a checklist to make the day of your final exam go more smoothly. Of course, repeat as needed depending on how many classes you're taking.:-)

First of all, be well-prepared from a study standpoint. If you really know your stuff, final exam day jitters are much less troublesome.

Come with a battle plan for the type of exam you will be taking. Different types of exams require different approaches.

Multiple choice exam? If you truly don't know the answer, take a wild guess. Multiple choice exams give you the best chance of guessing and getting it right. Make sure that you answer all multiple choice questions. If you don't answer it, you have 0% chance of getting it right. If you make a guess on a four-choice question, at least you have a 25% chance of getting it right.

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Short answer exam? Brief and precise answers in full sentences are the key. If you don't know the answer, make a brief and precise guess. Endless streams of BS in response to short answer questions just tend to dig the hole deeper and lessen your chances of getting any points for your attempt.

Essay exam? Some essay tests consist of responding at length to one question; others have multiple questions. When you're really lucky, the instructor will provide multiple essay questions and have you pick your favorites to answer. It is helpful to have some blank scratch paper on hand when answering essay questions, but make sure you have your instructor's approval first.

Obviously answers to essay questions will need to be developed more fully than short answer questions, but you can use the short answer approach to build the structure of your essay. Read the question carefully, use your scratch paper or the margin of your test to jot down your short answer response to each part of the question, and then develop explanatory material to flesh out the short answer responses. Using examples to illustrate that you understand the concepts is an excellent idea.

Just as with short answer questions, trying to BS your way through an essay question is usually not very productive. Believe it or not, your instructors were once college students themselves and they recognize that edge of desperation in answers that go on and on and on but never quite say anything. Concentrate on providing the best possible answers to the questions you know best.

A mix of question types? Look at the exam carefully before you start to see how the points are allocated among the questions. Generally, do the multiple choice questions as quickly yet carefully as you can, take on the short answer questions next, and save the bulk of your time and energy for the essay questions.

Don't pump up your adrenaline unnecessarily on exam day by forgetting essentials and having to rush out to get them at the last minute or hoping that someone else has an extra. You might even want to pack a special exam bag with supplies, just as if you were going on a trip.

Writing and erasing utensils and supplies such as pens, pencils, erasers, white out tape, and paper. Make sure you have multiple pens in case one runs out of ink. Multiple pencils are good so you can help out other classmates in need. Separate erasers really help make clean erasures on scantrons, and white out tape is the tidiest way to cover up errors in pen. If you are supplying your own paper for the exam, bring at least twice as much as you think you will need.

Scantrons. Oh boy. These are, in my experience, the biggest source of sitting down for the exam frenzy. Your instructor and/or syllabus will indicate what form you need well ahead of time. If you are unsure which form is needed, ask, preferably before the day of the final exam.

Do not assume that you can use whatever scantron form you happen to have on hand -- the scoring machines do not work that way at all. I have had students complete the exam on the inappropriate scantron and try to hand it in. I make them acquire the correct scantron and redo all of their answers onto it.

If you don't have the scantron, don't ask your instructor if you can just write your answers on the test form. Ask if a classmate has an extra you could have, or take yourself to the campus bookstore to buy one. Keep in mind that if you are taking a night class, the campus bookstore may not be open if you need a last minute scantron. Be ready well ahead of time, and buying a couple extras to possibly share with less-organized classmates is a kind thing to do.

Follow directions about how to fill out the scantrons carefully. Bubble the spaces in completely and erase very thoroughly, not only on your answers but for things like your name, student ID, test code, etc. Automated scoring systems are extremely sensitive and errors can occur if you don't mark the scantron appropriately.
Comfort items like water, gum, mints, pain relievers, and antacids. If you are allowed to chew gum, please do so politely.

Rushing in late or at the last minute just loads unnecessary stress onto yourself. Make sure your chair and writing surface aren't squeaky or wobbly. You would be surprised how loud and disruptive a device on vibrate can be in a quiet testing environment. I've seen whole classrooms of intensely concentrating students jump in annoyance when it happens. Engage in some relaxation techniques. Although you may be keyed up enough about the exam to fidget, twitch, joggle your legs under the table, etc., all those activities do feed more adrenaline into your system and make you more nervous. Relax - close your eyes - take deep breaths. Do a last minute scan over your notes and think positive thoughts. Even if other students around you are proclaiming gloom and doom, keep your energy focused quietly on the task to come.