10 Ways to Avoid Making Stupid Mistakes on Exams - College Info Geek

Summary

In this engaging video, tips are shared to help students avoid common mistakes during exams. Viewers learn ten effective strategies, including managing time wisely, double-checking answers, and carefully reading questions to avoid trick wording. Practical advice on organizing scratch paper and creating outlines for essays is also emphasized. Additionally, strategies for reducing test anxiety and conducting sanity checks on math answers are discussed. The video aims to equip students with the tools they need to enhance their performance and minimize errors, making it a valuable resource as they prepare for finals.

Takeaways

• 😀 Be aware of your exam time and aim to finish early to allow for review.
• 😀 Double check your answers; five extra minutes can significantly impact your grade.
• 😀 Use a technique for transferring answers on Scantron sheets to minimize errors.
• 😀 Organize scratch work by drawing boxes around calculations to avoid confusion.
• 😀 Read questions carefully, especially for tricky wording that could change the meaning.
• 😀 Always create an outline for essays to stay focused and organized.
• 😀 Actively work to reduce test anxiety, which can lead to mistakes.
• 😀 Proofread essays for spelling and grammar to ensure clarity and correctness.
• 😀 Perform a sanity check on math answers by comparing them to your initial estimates.
• 😀 Be aware of your common mistakes and pay special attention to them during exams.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video?

The video discusses strategies to avoid making mistakes on exams, particularly as final exams approach.

Why is it important to finish an exam early?

Finishing early allows students to have extra time for review, which can help catch mistakes and improve scores.

How can touching the answer on a Scantron sheet help reduce errors?

By lightly touching the answer and saying it in their head, students are less likely to bubble in the wrong answer, minimizing common Scantron mistakes.

What should students do with their scratch paper during exams?

Students should draw boxes around each problem's work to keep their calculations organized and prevent confusion between problems.

What is a common pitfall when reading exam questions?

Students often misinterpret questions due to trick wording, such as confusing 'Which of these is not?' with 'Which of these is?'.

What role does outlining play in essay writing during exams?

Creating an outline helps students stay organized and focused on the essay prompt, reducing the likelihood of straying off-topic.

Why is it suggested to manage test anxiety?

Reducing test anxiety is crucial because it can lead to careless mistakes, negatively affecting exam performance.

What should students do after solving math problems?

Students should perform a sanity check by comparing their answers to an estimated range to ensure they are reasonable.

How can self-awareness help during exams?

By recognizing personal mistake patterns, students can focus on avoiding those specific errors during the test.

What additional topic will be covered in the next video?

The next video will address whether students should change their answers after writing them down, based on research.