Exams are a crucial part of the education process. They demonstrate your mastery of course concepts and assess your learning. Even with online learning, exams are often included in the curriculum for the same reasons – but taking them in this new format can be a little nerve-wracking.
Whether you have anxiety over the test itself, the study process, or technical issues that may distract you during the process, these tips can help you prepare, perform, and improve for next time.
Prep for Your Online Exam
Develop a Study Plan
Map the material: Take out your syllabus and break down the information into topics and subtopics. Use the course learning objectives to create questions to test your knowledge and see where your strengths and weaknesses lie.
Use practical study tools: There are plenty of study tools available, but they’re not all a good fit for you. Experiment with study guides, outlines of course modules, and flash cards to test your knowledge and see what works.
Schedule short, focused learning sessions: Studying in short bursts can be more effective than long cramming. Try 25–45-minute sessions with 5-minute breaks in between to keep your mind fresh. Try rotating topics if you feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or distracted, and return to the harder topics later.
Mix practice types: Balance active recall like quizzing yourself with spaced repetition. Both are proven test-taking strategies, but they offer different benefits for your short- and long-term retention.
Take Practice Assessments
Simulate the format: It’s best to mimic the actual test conditions as much as possible. For example, if your exam is multiple choice and timed, practice under these constraints to see how you perform under pressure.
Create your own test: If there are no practice tests for your exam, create your own from lecture slides and reading. You could try working with a peer or study group and creating practice tests for each other.
Review and improve: After each practice set, mark what you missed, why you missed it, and the correct answer or context. Create a log of missed questions to better prepare for test day.
Prep Your Space
Tech checkup: Before your test, update your browser, disable auto-updates, and close unused apps. Make sure your laptop is fully charged with a backup power source or charger ready.
Connectivity: If possible, use wired internet to avoid any connectivity problems. If Wi-Fi is the only option, sit as close as possible to your router and ask your family or roommates to avoid streaming during your test.
Environment: Choose a quiet, well-lit space with a comfortable chair and clean desk. Turn onthe “do not disturb” feature on your devices to silence notifications.
Materials: Some tests allow extra materials, such as a calculator, formula sheet, or notes. Confirm what’s allowed and make sure you have them ready. If your exam is proctored or uses a lockdown browser, test those tools in advance.
Follow the rules: Your school or online learning platform has an academic honesty policy. For example, if it’s an open-book assessment, use the materials you’re allowed – no more, no less.
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Time to Take Your Online Exam
Manage Your Time
Budget your minutes: Divide the total test time by question count to get an estimate of how long you have. For example, if the test is an hour with 30 questions, you have about 2 minutes for each question.
Focus on easy questions first: Take one pass at the test and answer all the questions you know or you can complete easily, skipping over the harder ones. Then, go over the test again and finish the harder questions. The last thing you want is to get stuck and waste your test time.
Read carefully: It may be tempting to skim on a timed test, but you have to take your time. Carefully read the question and answer choices. You may find some hints, such as qualifiers like “always,” “never,” and “except” that help narrow down the possible answer.
Reference Your Permitted Resources
Index your notes: Using a simple table of contents or sticky notes can help you find formulas, definitions, or key concepts quickly for open-book or open-note tests.
Search smart: If digital notes are allowed, use the keyboard shortcut to search within a document or web page and find the information quickly. The shortcut is CTRL + F (Command + F on Mac).
Use notes strategically: An open-book or open-note test doesn’t mean you don’t need to study. Your notes should confirm your answers and understanding, not replace them on test day.
Stay Calm
Tactical breathing: Also known as box breathing, this technique helps you consciously relax and focus. Inhale for a count of 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, and hold for 4. Repeat this rhythm to reset.
Micro-checkpoints: Every 10-15 minutes, do a self-check. Are you on pace? Do you have a pile of flagged questions? Adjust your time or strategy if you need to.
Positive cues: Don’t panic if time is running low or you missed a lot of questions. Focus on positive thoughts, such as knowing the questions you answered confidently and the opportunities you have to make up points.
Post-Exam Reflection
Use What You Learned
Review your work within 24 hours: Write down the topics, concepts, or question types that slowed you down so you know what to work on moving forward.
Analyze errors: Did you miss questions because of content gaps, rushing under time pressure, or misreading? Whatever the reason, you’ll have insights to study smarter for future exams.
Seek feedback: If you can, review your graded exam and schedule office hours or time with a learning coach to find out how you can improve for the next assessment.
Continue to Improve
Make a plan: Use the review to tweak your study plan, refine your notes, and learn from your mistakes.
Practice under pressure: If the time got to you, add timed drills to your study sessions to make the pacing automatic.
Stay organized: Track your exam dates, milestones, and post-exam reviews in one place, like a digital planner or notebook.
Master Online Test-Taking
Having confidence with online exams isn’t about last-minute cramming. Steady, strategic studying and preparation is how you excel. Put these steps into practice to perform at your best for your next exam. If you want to strengthen your study skills with online courses, explore Sophia’s course list and start your free trial!
