Everybody's life has been drastically affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes students. The last year has been difficult for us to return to University in order to sit our examinations. We were forced to do online assessments. This semester, it appears, will also be conducted online.
Online exams were a daunting task at first, as they were unknown to so many. My friends agree that online examinations have been a great way to reduce exam stress and to allow students to gain subject knowledge rather then just pass an exam.
After having taken many online exams, I thought it would be a good idea to share them with you and offer some helpful tips for the future assessment period. .
How to study for an Online Exam
Online exams have proved to be very beneficial for me. I find that I am less concerned about the practicalities and more focused on revising. I appreciate taking the time to research and learn about topics, instead of memorising only superficial information in order to pass a test.
If your exam is open-book, I recommend you take advantage of this opportunity to get a better understanding of your subject and broaden your knowledge. It's also useful to distill the content into clear and understandable notes. This will make it easy to find information during the exam and help you build a library of materials for the future.
Revision is necessary even for online exams. An insufficient amount of preparation will only lead to excessive stress during the exam. Take comfort in the fact that you are able to control the exam more than you ever thought possible.
Where can you sit for your online exam
Perhaps the most strange thing about the online format is sitting at my desk instead of in an examination hall. I found the online format to be very beneficial and felt less anxious. It was a perfect exam environment, without intimidating invigilators, no exam hall, and with hundreds of students tap their pens.
Even though you may be in your own home, it is important that you are properly dressed, nourished, and have a study area (not your bed). Double-check your internet connection before you begin. Make sure everyone knows how to lower the noise level. You can remain calm and keep your eyes open for any technical problems. They will accept that complications can arise with technology and will not penalise your for anything beyond their control.
Online exams are not meant to replicate traditional exam formats. However, the beauty about this assessment style is that it allows you to control your surroundings. It is important to feel comfortable, even if this means you have a cup of tea or a hot water bottle nearby.
When can you do your online exam?
Sometimes I feel so rushy in traditional exams that it is difficult to gather my thoughts and form a coherent answer. An online exam is much easier because I don't have to answer as many questions in a short time. My answers are also more thought out and better structured.
Expect to take several days to finish all your exams. Rome was not built in a single day. It is important to spend the time to review them. You need to give yourself frequent breaks to allow your brain to reset. You can take the extra time to reflect on the questions and to find the best answers.
Final thoughts
Online exams may not be as effective as regular format, but there has been much debate about this. Personally, I love the online assessment system. I find it less stressful and less complex. It also assesses skills beyond memorization. These exams were not enjoyable, but I found them to be as good as they could be.
Be calm, be prepared and do your best. You can do it all online and in person.
Related article from EuropeanBusinessReview: https://www.europeanbusinessreview.com/the-easy-way-to-get-the-best-online-exam-help/
Related Resources:
What it is like to take an exam during lockdown
What it's like to take an Exam during Lockdown
What it's like taking an exam during lockdown
Here are my top tips and experiences with online exams