Tests are a stressful event for any student, and a standard part of the education system. They are a good assessment of one’s knowledge and skill level relating to a certain subject. However, a student’s attitude toward a test can often influence the results, both negatively and positively.
If a student had a negative attitude towards test taking, they might believe that they’ll fail regardless of their level of preparedness. This belief often leads to a self-fulfilling prophecy, wherein the student doesn’t prepare for their exam because they believe it won’t make a difference, and in the end, they end up failing because they never studied in the first place. On the other hand, if a student prepares themselves and goes into the test with the attitude of trying their best, the likelihood of them succeeding is much higher.
According to a study conducted by NIE, reported by Singteach, “Students who think they are good at math tend to perform well in math tests.”
Mentally and emotionally preparing yourself for a big exam is just as important as actually studying for an important test.
According to Test Innovators, “Giving yourself enough time to study will not only boost your performance and confidence, but it will also help you retain information for the long-term.”
There are many methods of studying, such as reading over notes, previous worksheets and textbooks. However, while studying in this manner can be more beneficial than not studying at all, a better way to test what you remember is to write down the things that you already know and then make a list of things you need to study further. If the information is available to you, another great way to study is to take a practice test that includes similar information to the actual exam.
Another impactful method of learning is a popular technique called the Pomodoro technique, which is characterized by choosing a single topic to focus on, studying that topic for 25 minutes, taking a five minute break, and then repeating the process. For every four intervals that you study, it is also recommended to take a 15-30 minute break in between. This method helps improve focus and concentration, prevents burnout, and makes tasks feel easier by breaking them into smaller parts.
Despite the common habit for students to cram the night before a big test, it is actually quite detrimental and ineffective in the long run.
According to an interview reported by Vital Record, “Sleep deprivation’s effect on working memory is staggering. Your brain loses efficiency with each hour of sleep deprivation.”
Studying in segments rather than in one big cramming session has proven to be much better for your mind and body and is likely to prevent the negative effects of sleep deprivation, such as difficulty focusing, poor memory, and mood instability.
The most important part of preparing for an exam, however, is to eliminate distractions while studying and making sure your body is ready to focus. In the digital age of 2026, the biggest distractions are often cellphones and other digital devices. It is important to prevent yourself from getting sidetracked and to power off these distractions or possibly even keep them out of reach. A quiet and focused environment is the best place to study.
There are many ways that one can make sure their body is ready to focus, such as getting eight hours of sleep, eating a high-energy breakfast and staying hydrated.
While a test may seem important at the moment, it often does not define a student’s entire future or even how smart they are. When a student does not meet expectations given by themselves, their peers or their teacher, the best course of action is to learn from the mistakes they have made, and if possible, take these opportunities to correct them (ex. test corrections or studying).
