Sitting an exam is a skill and there are things you can do to make sure you are prepared. Making sure you are prepared both before the exam and during the exam can help you do your best. 

Before the exam

• Check the time and place for the exam. Then check again. 
• Make sure you have all the equipment you need for your exam. Put it in a clear plastic bag the night before.
• Pack your bag the night before and make sure you take everything you need with you. 
• Get a good night's sleep. Go to bed early and make sure you set your alarm to get up at the right time in the morning. 
• Eat well before the exam (No junk food – Sugar is NOT brain food). Make sure you have breakfast or lunch before your exam. 
• Positive people make for positive thoughts and confidence – don’t listen to haters and stressful people. 
• Remember to take your exam entry slip with your NSN number with you.
• Be early for your exam. 
• Plan out how you will spend your exam time – figure out how long will you spend on each section so you have enough time to complete everything you need to do before the exam ends.
• If you have any issues, talk to the examiners or Principal’s nominee – forgotten pens, forgotten exam entry slips – they’ve seen it all and know how to help.

During the exam        

• Keep calm and carry on – you got this. 
• Read through the exam first. 
• Start with the questions you feel the most confident about.
• Read the question carefully – Circle key words and parts of the question.
• Watch out for plurals in questions. For example, 'Name features of the map' means that you are required to write at least two features.
• Stick to your plan of how you’ll spend your exam time. If you run out of time on one question, move on but come back to it later if you can.
• Don’t use any Twink, pencil or red pen. Cross out mistakes with a single line.
• Try not to repeat yourself. Stop, ask yourself, what is my point? Explain your point then give an example to support it.
• Read your answer. Did you answer the question that was asked? Have you answered all parts of the question?
• Match the length of your answer to the space provided in the exam booklet.

• Label extra pages clearly and attach them to your exam booklet.
• Exams aren’t a race – no one cares who finishes first or last. Take your time and make sure you answer the exam to the best of your ability.

After the exam

• Relax! Take some time to relax and recover after each exam.  You might have another exam coming soon, but give yourself a short time to take a breath.
• Don’t panic if you feel like you didn’t do as well as you hoped. Focus on your next exam and stay positive.

You’re almost there now. It won’t be long until exams are all over and you can enjoy the holidays. Keep calm, stay positive. You can do this!