Tests and exams are part of the school and university environment. It is necessary that exams be kept in proportion - they are important, but not the end of the world. Some things can be done to make exams more valuable, worthwhile and a less threatening experience.

Familiarise yourself with the examination structure and question style
Questions will vary from relatively easy to those that are more difficult. Difficult questions often require longer, more comprehensive answers and will usually be worth more marks. The more difficult questions might ask you to apply a principle, assess current developments or evaluate an impact.

Practice with HSC, School Certificate or university style exam questions
When answering practice questions, be aware that key words have particular meanings that you are expected to be able to communicate. If a question asks you to assess a situation, you are required to put forward positive and negative aspects and then make a judgment. Evaluating a situation requires more than assessing; the judgment needs to be based on criteria. Do not just describe the situation as it could gain few or, perhaps, no marks.

Use the mark value, the space provided in the examination booklet and the key glossary words to help you to judge the level and length of your answers. For some questions, diagrams, tables and charts can be used to gain full marks in responses.

Have all necessary material with you
You can't borrow items such as pens, pencils, rulers, calculators or special equipment while in an examination.

Write down ideas as they come to you
While you are answering one question, an idea about another may suddenly occur to you. Jot it down somewhere because when you come to that question or go back to a question you have already answered, you may have forgotten it.

Don't leave any questions unanswered and never leave the room early
If you are short of time, use note form. On the other hand, remember, you can only be marked on the answers you give. If you have time at the end, go over your work and add information (eg. in the margin).

Do not spend too long on multiple choice questions
With multiple choice questions it is best to cover the answers and work out your own before looking at the choices on paper. If you can't answer the question come back to it later – or have a guess.

Maintain a stable energy level
Eating foods such as chocolate bars before an exam might give you an energy boost to begin with but your blood sugar levels will drop within an hour and your energy will plunge dramatically, making it hard for you to concentrate. Also make sure you have an early night, and try to have a healthy breakfast.

Know the ground rules
Always read directions! Indicate your answers exactly the way the directions state. Make sure your answers are clear. Determine what the scoring rules for the test are and follow them to your advantage. For example, if wrong answers are penalized, don't guess unless you can reduce the choices to two.

Good handwriting is an absolute essential
Most instructors value clear handwriting. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling also count. Well-written grammatically correct answers almost always receive higher grades than poorly written grammatically incorrect answers, even though the answers themselves are the same.