Rocking Your Online Exams

Do your Detective Work 

• Is there a specific date and time for the exam or can I do it within a time frame? Don't assume that just because your test is online that it is asynchronous.
• How much time do I have for the test? This is important not just during the test itself, but so that you can time yourself while studying.
• Will the test have multiple choice, short answer or essay questions? Knowing this can inform the way you are preparing.
• Did the professor give me a study guide or a breakdown of what material will be on the exam? Have they given any hints during class as to what information will be important?

Practice Makes Perfect

• If possible, take a practice test under similar conditions to your actual exam. If your exam will be 60 minutes closed-note, then take your practice exam the same way. This is a good place to start because it can indicate any weak spots.
• Most likely your professor won't be giving out a practice test, check the internet for tests from previous semesters. You can make your own practice test from your homework, quizzes and textbook.

Online or Open Note Exams Doesn’t Mean Easy

• You still need to review and study, just as you would for in-person exams.
• Open note tests don't guarantee success. Organize your notes, and make a crib sheet for the most important formulas, facts, and concepts. Having an organized, easily accessible system will allow you to devote more time to thinking through the questions.

Be Strategic about Location

• Pick a spot with a good internet connection and enough space for your books. Choose somewhere you are less likely to be interrupted.
• Let your family and/or roommates know so that they can give you space and silence.
• Remove any potential distractions like your phone or silence your notifications.

Assess your Technology

• Make sure that you have correctly downloaded any necessary software in advance.
• Get everything you need beforehand, for example your RUID with Proctortrack.
• Stay on the test page. If your professor is allowing you to use the internet as a resource, make sure that you are opening a new tab to search and not navigating away from the test. It is possible that if you close that tab, the testing session will end.
• If you do have a technological problem, don’t freak out. Take screenshots of the problem and contact your professor promptly.

Learn more about preparing for all kinds of exams.