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What NOT to do right before exams

Discover the common mistakes students should avoid in the days and hours before an exam. From staying up all night and trying to learn everything at the last minute to skipping meals and overthinking, this post explains how to protect your focus, confidence, and energy before Chemistry and other important exams.

1 min read

Exams are stressful enough on their own, but simple mistakes right before test time can make things much harder than they need to be.

To help you stay calm and perform at your absolute best, here are the key things not to do before and during your exam:

1. Don't Cram at the Last Minute Trying to pull an all-nighter or study frantically right before the test only increases panic. The best preparation comes from following a steady study plan leading up to the big day, so by exam night, your main focus shifts to rest.

2. Don't Skip Sleep (or Load Up on Late-Night Caffeine) Your brain needs a full night’s sleep to recall information quickly. For a restful night:

  • Turn off all screens at least 2 hours before bed.

  • Avoid caffeine late in the day.

  • Take a warm shower and take time to relax before sleeping.

3. Don't Hang Around Stressed Classmates on Exam Day Stress is contagious. On the morning of the exam, avoid groups of people who are panicking, asking last-minute quiz questions, or comparing what they did or didn't study. Protect your mental peace and stay in a calm headspace.

4. Don't Scroll Through the Whole Test Paper at Once When you open the exam booklet, resist the urge to skim every single question right away. If you spot a question you don't instantly know, panic sets in and shakes your confidence. Instead, take the test one question at a time.

5. Don't Leave a Blank Space and Panic If you run into a tough question:

  • Jot down any small notes, keywords, or formulas you do remember about the topic, then move on.

  • Keep track of your time so you don't get stuck on one problem.

  • Don't worry, as you solve other questions throughout the exam, their prompts will often spark your memory and help you recall the missing details when you return later!

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