When you’re handed the actual test, don’t just start blasting away. Doing so usually creates more anxiety because you haven’t planned your attack. Instead, approach the test with a plan, as detailed in the following sections.
Skimming the Test

When you receive the test from your instructor, follow these three steps to quickly preview the test, see what it contains, and budget your time:
Skim through the test and note the types of questions and the length of the test. Doing so helps you determine the best place to start and how much time you need for each section.
Read the directions and/or listen carefully to the instructor’s oral instructions. Then follow the instructor’s instructions exactly. There’s no use losing points just because you didn’t read the directions or follow instructions. For example, if you are supposed to show your work on a math test and do not, your instructor may penalize you.
Ask any questions about the test itself. Another reason for skimming through the test is to see whether you have any questions. The time to ask these questions is before the test, if possible. If you are unsure how much time you have to complete the test, ask.
Deciding Where to Start and What to Answer

After you’ve reviewed the test, you can decide where to start. It’s usually best to start at the beginning and move through the test sequentially, but if the test starts off with a difficult question that you’re unsure of, start with an easier problem or section. Skimming through the test before you begin allows you to decide where to start.

When you start answering questions, focus on answering the questions you do know. For those you don’t know, you may guess and indicate with some notation (such as a question mark) the ones you think you know, or you might leave blank the questions about which you have no idea. Answering questions you know and moving on not only builds confidence but also gets your mind thinking about the topic and making connections. You may find that you remember other facts and statements as you read through and answer the questions you’re sure of. When you go back to check the guesses and answer any questions you skipped, you may have a better idea of the answers.

If the test includes an essay question, be sure to budget enough time to complete that part. Often, the essay question (or hardest question, even if it isn’t an essay) is last. You don’t want to get to the end of the test and have only five minutes to complete a major part of the test. Again, skimming beforehand gives you some idea of what’s in the different test sections so that you can budget your time.

If the test includes problems, take your time solving each one. Show your work, even if you do so on scrap paper. When you check the problems, you want to be able to clearly see each part you solved, so write legibly.

Budget time to review and check your answers. You don’t want silly mistakes to affect your grade, so go over all your answers at least one final time.
Clearly Wrong

If you’re second-guessing an answer and are unsure whether your first response or second thought is right, stick with your first response. Your first response is usually based on some type of reasoning and is often correct. On the other hand, if the answer is clearly wrong or you’re more sure of another response upon reviewing the problem, make the change.