You might have written the examination perfectly but you have failed
to take note of some mistakes that cost you lots of mark. This is one of
the reasons why students fail examinations. What are these costly
mistakes you need to avoid during examination? See the list below
- READING THE WRONG QUESTION
There is no way you can give the correct answer to the wrong
question. What do I mean by this? Take a look at some of the questions
that involves the word “NOT”. You might be asked, “Which of the
following is not a verb?” and you are provided with the options (a) Read (b) Book (c) Jump (d) Write.
A lot of student will choose option A immediately without checking
other options. Why? Because they thought the question was “Which of the
following is a verb?”.
I was once a victim of this occurrence. I discovered it is due to
fear or being in a rush while reading the question. You can read my
article on “6 Sure Ways To Overcome Examination Fear”.
What to do: Read each question carefully at least twice and make sure you understand it.
- ANSWERING QUESTIONS OUTGOING OF POINT
Students fail examination because they have failed to answer
questions within the required course. Some students want to explain more
than required. As a result, they write out of point. You might think
you will bag some bonus marks by including additional explanation but
end up scoring very low.
Do not misquote! It is not a bad idea giving additional information
in your answers but ensure you do not write out of point . You might be
writing something meaningful but does not fit into the question asked.
While some markers like this, most don’t . Since you don’t know the
type of person that will mark your examination, the best thing to do is
to avoid it.
What to do: Don’t write unnecessary
information unless it is within the course of the question. Ensure you
write answers that suits the questions asked.
- ATTEMPTING DIFFICULT QUESTIONS FIRST
Another costly mistake students make is leaving simple questions
untouched and attempting difficult ones first. This is a very bad idea
that you should not even think of. You might be thinking “Why shouldn’t I
solve harder ones when my brain is not stressed and come back to the
easier ones?”. Take a look at some of the reasons why you should not do
it below.
-It wastes your time.
-If you solve easier ones first and you are at least sure of getting
them right, it keeps your body motivated and improve your brain function
to solve difficult ones.
-If you solve difficult ones first and you don’t get them, you become
frustrated that you won’t be able to solve even the so-called easier
ones.
-Ask yourself, what is the probability of getting the difficult
questions right when eventually you don’t have time to solve simpler
questions.
Have you now seen the reason why you should not solve difficult questions first and the negative effects of doing so?
What to do : Solve easier questions first. It will help you to bag enough marks and save time to come back to difficult ones.
- LACK OF PROPER TIME PLANNING
Time planning is another factor you must consider during
examinations. Take a look at the JAMB that was just concluded where
candidates are given 120minutes to solve 180 questions. This means that
candidates have two-third minute(40seconds) to solve each question.
Depending on the subject, you might decide to use 60seconds for
calculation-based subjects like Physics and Mathematics and 20-30seconds
for theory-based subjects.
As the case might be, lack of time planning is another common mistake
students are found guilty of. Students use more that the proposed time
for each question.
As a result, they waste their time only to be left without a lot of
question with with little time to solve them. This which I won’t want
you to fall victim of is what you must consider.
What to do : Do proper research on the
number of question and amount of time that will be given. Plan your time
and don’t use more than the proposed time on each question.
If you discover you are wasting too much time on a question, move on
to the next question. You must ensure you come back to it when you are
through with other questions.
- YOU FAILED TO CROSS-CHECK
No man is born mistake-free. Students are liable to make mistakes
during examination. The real mistake however is when student fail to
correct their mistakes.
Have you ever written an examination that you felt you should
cross-check and something tells you you don’t need to?. This might be
because you are in a rush or you want to do something after the
examination. Don’t make this mistake!
What to do : Ensure you cross-check your answers to see if there is any mistakes.
NOTE : Don’t be in a rush while cross-checking, take your time!.
Students also make the the mistake of neglecting instruction during
examination. You might think examiners don’t take it serious, but yes
they do!. Each instruction given to you in the examination hall
determines whether you pass or not.
What to do: Always heed instructions. Don’t
start when you are not told to, if you are told to answer 4 questions,
don’t attempt 5questions.
Source : Hilearners
