A tutor’s advice on how to prepare for exams

This section looks at how to prepare for exams. This includes information about what to expect and practical tips to help you perform well.

Background

You may have experience of exams from secondary school. Exams can be delivered in a variety of different ways including written, practical or oral exams. They will often take place at University but in some cases will be take-home tests. Most commonly exams take the form of a set of questions that you need to answer and are a way of measuring your knowledge in that particular subject. Exams are timed and will often take place in a controlled environment with an invigilator present. Exams are just one form of assessment that will take place on your course, you will also be assessed via coursework.

‘Exams used to cause me to have really bad melt downs. I would turn over the page and my mind would go blank. Now I’ve realised that getting stressed doesn’t really help and I am much better at managing in exams.’
(Biosciences student)

Some University courses (such as PhD’s, vocational qualifications and creative topics) do not include exams and will instead offer assessment opportunities via practice placements or fieldwork assignments. On most courses however you can expect to sit exams at least once during the year, most commonly in January, May and June.

It may be possible to make reasonable adjustments for examinations but where it is a professional body requirement for you to complete an exam there will be no option for an alternative form of assessment. It is recommended that you speak to Disability Advice if you have had reasonable adjustments for exams in the past or if you would like to discuss the options available to you at university.

How could this affect me?

Many students report finding exams stressful, particularly in terms of preparation and knowing what to expect. It is important to remember that exams are only one form of assessment and that you will be assessed using a variety of methods on your course.

For autistic students one of the challenges can relate to organising a revision timetable and not becoming overwhelmed by all of the reading material.

‘I feel like I need to read absolutely everything on the course reading list even though this takes ages. I find it hard to just revise certain topics.’
(Engineering Student)

Many autistic students report feeling very anxious during the exam period particularly in terms of practical arrangements such as where they need to go to sit the exam. It can be helpful to visit the exam venues ahead of the exam to ensure that you know where to go. See the tips section below for further information.

What to do next?

In addition to revising for exam content, prepare yourself well for the exam environment.

Practical tips

These tips are intended as a guide so you can pick out the ones that are most helpful to you.

Before the exam

  • Speak to Disability Advice about any support you may require – there is a deadline in place to enable the University to arrange adjustments so you should contact your Disability Adviser as soon as possible to ensure adjustments can be implemented
  • Many autistic students find it difficult to do targeted revision and to take regular breaks when revising. It can be helpful to set a timer to ensure that you revise a topic for a set period before moving on to the next topic
  • Many students report that mindfulness meditation or breathing techniques help them to relax before an exam. There are lots of resources out there that you can try that will guide you through the meditation process
  • If possible visit the rooms where your exams will be taking place in advance (particularly if you have been recommended a separate room or extra time as your room may be different from the room most of your peers). You will then be able to rehearse the route to your exam room and can find out about any potential distractions
  • In order to revise most effectively it’s a good idea to use a variety of approaches. This could include using recordings, making a mind map and taking notes which you could display in a visible area
  • Get as much rest as you can, 6-8 hours a night is recommended. Even if you can’t sleep then give your body a chance to rest and make sure that you have a chance to wind down before going to bed
  • Try to eat at least one proper meal a day including vegetables and protein and make sure that you stay properly hydrated. Although some people find caffeine useful in the short-term as a stimulant, it is not always helpful for those that are prone to anxiety
  • Try to exercise daily as this will help relax tense muscles, use up any excess adrenaline and increase circulation.

During the exam

  • If you feel anxious when you enter the exam room, practice breathing exercises to keep calm
  • Make sure you are sitting comfortably. Place your feet firmly on the ground and relax your shoulders
  • Take a few seconds before turning over the exam paper to let the initial feelings of anxiety subside
  • Plan your answers out briefly to ensure adequate time for each question. Before you start writing have a look through the exam paper to see how many questions you have to answer. You can then work out how many questions you have to answer in the time available by dividing the time by the number of questions
  • Many autistic students report that they become easily distracted by sensory stimuli and this can be particularly problematic in an exam.It is worth discussing this with Disability Advice as you may be able to arrange to take your exam in a separate room to avoid distractions
  • Stay hydrated throughout the exam by drinking plenty of water take short breaks at the end of each question
  • Avoid perfectionism – check spelling and punctuation and use sources if necessary but remember that you aren’t expected to produce the same level of writing as you would be in your coursework
  • If you feel unwell during an exam alert the invigilator and ask if you can leave the room for a short while. Taking a few deep breaths and a drink of water may be sufficient for you to calm down
  • If you feel unwell on the day of an exam or during an exam and are unable to sit or continue with your exam, alert the invigilator and apply for mitigation. It is important that you apply for mitigation straight away and you will require evidence (e.g. a letter from a doctor). The University’s Fit to Sit policy does not allow students to complete an exam or assessment and then apply for mitigation retrospectively.

After the exam

  • Consider what went well and what didn’t go so well. Use that knowledge to inform you on how you prepare for your next exam
  • Don’t be too self-critical if you think you haven’t performed well. Remember that exams are stressful and it’s common to have doubts about your performance after the event
  • Whatever the outcome congratulate yourself for taking the exam and all your hard work!

Additional information and links

Applying for special exam arrangements

If you think your autism impacts upon your ability to perform in an exam then you can discuss your individual exam arrangements with Disability Advice. You will need to register with Disability Advice and provide evidence of your autism. You can register here.

Common exam adjustments are extra time, rest breaks, use of a computer and sitting your exam in a separate or smaller than the main exam venue. These adjustments will be confirmed in an Exam Adjustment Plan and sent to your course team to arrange. Your course team will confirm your exam adjustments with you.

Deferral/ fit to sit

If you feel unwell on the day of an exam or during an exam and are unable to sit or continue with your exam, alert the invigilator and apply for mitigation. It is important that you apply for mitigation straight away and you will require evidence (e.g. a letter from a doctor). The University’s Fit to Sit policy does not allow students to complete an exam or assessment and then apply for mitigation retrospectively.

The options open to you will depend on your mode of study but there may be the opportunity to re-sit the exam during the later session (often the late summer period). The general advice is that if you don’t feel ‘fit to sit’ the exam then it is better not to sit the exam. If you attend the exam and your performance is compromised by illness then it is harder to apply for mitigation after the event. If you want to apply for mitigation, our Students’ Union Advice Centre can offer advice and support to do this.