Exam day has finally arrived, and you’re ready to tackle the paper. You’ve been preparing, reviewing, and trying your best to stay on top of things. But here’s something most students don’t realize: even with solid exam preparation, certain in-the-moment exam mistakes can bring down your score, even when you know the material well. These mistakes can range from rushing through instructions to struggling with time management or letting nerves get the best of you.
The good news is that avoiding these mistakes is totally possible with a few tips and a bit of planning. Let’s go over the top mistakes students often make during exams, along with some practical solutions to help you stay on track, feel more confident, and ultimately do your best!
10 Common Exam Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
1. Rushing Through Instructions
When the clock is ticking and the exam paper drops on your desk, it’s natural to feel a sense of urgency. You may be thinking, “I don’t have time to waste reading instructions!” But the reality is that skipping over instructions can lead to major slip-ups.
Sometimes, an exam includes specific guidelines like “Answer only three out of five questions,” or “Use examples to support your answer.” Missing these details can mean points lost—not because you didn’t know the material, but because you misunderstood what was required.
Solution: Slow Down, Read Carefully
Before you dive in, take a deep breath. Give yourself a minute to thoroughly read the instructions on the front page and each section of the exam. Look out for directive words like “explain,” “analyze,” or “compare.” Underline these if you’re allowed, as it helps you remember what the question is truly asking for.
Remind yourself that spending this extra time on instructions at the start can save you from having to redo questions or missing easy points later on. By understanding what’s expected, you’re already setting yourself up for better results!
2. Starting Without a Game Plan
Imagine this: you start answering questions as soon as you get the paper, without looking over the entire exam. Suddenly, you reach a section worth a huge number of points, and you realize you have hardly any time left. It’s an easy mistake to make, and it can mean that your effort doesn’t reflect your knowledge.
Solution: Scan, Plan, and Prioritize
Once you’ve read the instructions, take a couple of minutes to scan the entire exam paper. This helps you understand the layout, identify the highest-point sections, and note any questions you feel confident about or that may need more thought.
Based on this quick assessment, plan your approach. Start with questions you’re most comfortable with to build momentum and confidence, then move on to more challenging ones. Set rough time limits for each section according to its weight; for example, give more time to questions worth 10 points than those worth 2.
This strategy helps you stay in control, ensuring that you don’t leave high-point sections incomplete or unanswered.
3. Spending Too Much Time on One Question
Sometimes, a tough question can trip you up and take over your focus. You end up sinking way more time into it than you intended, all because you don’t want to leave it blank. But here’s the thing: if you get stuck on one question for too long, you’re sacrificing time that could be spent on questions you can answer confidently.
Solution: Set a Mental Timer, Then Move On
Instead of getting trapped, set a mental time limit for each question. If it’s a short-answer question, give yourself a few minutes; if it’s an essay question, allot a bit more. Use the clock to pace yourself. If the time’s up and you’re still struggling, mark the question and move on.
You can always come back to it later if you have time left. Sometimes, focusing on other questions gives your brain a chance to work out the answer subconsciously. By keeping a steady pace, you’re more likely to maximize your score across the whole exam.
4. Neglecting to Manage Your Time Effectively
Even when you’ve planned your time, it’s surprisingly easy to lose track in the moment. Maybe you’re on a roll with one section and don’t notice the clock, or perhaps you underestimate how long a question will take. Unfortunately, poor time management can lead to rushed, incomplete answers or even missed questions.
Solution: Break Time into Chunks and Check the Clock Regularly
Instead of checking the clock only when you’re feeling pressed for time, try to set specific intervals to check in. For instance, if you have 2 hours for the exam, break it down into 30-minute segments. Aim to have a certain number of questions or sections completed by each checkpoint.
Set reminders in your head to help you stay on track. If you find you’re ahead or behind, you can adjust your pace accordingly, rather than realizing at the last minute that you have too much or too little time left.
5. Leaving Multiple-Choice Questions Blank
When you come across a multiple-choice question that you’re unsure about, it can be tempting to skip it altogether. But here’s the thing: leaving questions blank is like giving away points. In fact, it is one of the worst exam mistakes. As far as I know, multiple-choice exams don’t penalize you for wrong answers, so a guess is better than no answer at all! Who knows? You might guess it right!
Solution: Make an Educated Guess if You’re Stuck
If you’re truly stumped, try using the process of elimination. Cross out any answers that seem obviously wrong, which can increase your odds of choosing correctly. Look out for options that are very similar (often one of them is correct), or words like “always” and “never” which are usually red flags. Then, make your best guess.
You’re not always going to know every answer, but giving yourself the chance to score points is better than leaving it blank.
6. Failing to Review Answers
By the time you reach the end of an exam, you’re likely feeling a mix of relief and exhaustion. It’s tempting to turn it in and get it over with. However, skipping a review of your answers can mean missing easy mistakes or small fixes that could boost your score.
Solution: Leave a Few Minutes for a Final Check
Budget the last five or ten minutes of your exam for a quick review. Look for things like skipped questions, calculation errors, or small typos. Pay extra attention to the parts where you weren’t completely confident in your answer.
Sometimes, with a bit of extra time, an error becomes obvious or a forgotten detail comes back to mind. Reviewing your work can make the difference between a good answer and a great one, so make it a priority before handing in your paper.
7. Ignoring Keywords in Essay Questions
Essay questions often contain keywords like “explain,” “compare,” “analyze,” and “describe.” These words are more than just instructions; they’re clues to what the examiner is really looking for. Ignoring these keywords can mean that even a well-written answer doesn’t quite meet the requirements, which can lead to lost points.
Solution: Spot Keywords, Underline Them, and Plan Accordingly
When you read each essay question, underline or highlight directive words. Think about what each one means: “analyze” usually requires breaking down the parts of something; “compare” asks for similarities and differences; “explain” means you need to go into detail.
Plan your answer based on these cues, making sure that every point you make ties back to the directive word. This way, you’re addressing the question directly, which shows the examiner that you’ve read carefully and understood what’s expected.
8. Forgetting to Show Your Working in Problem-Based Questions
In math and science exams, showing your work is essential. Even if you arrive at the correct answer, many instructors look for evidence of your process. And if you make a small error, showing your work can sometimes earn you partial credit.
Solution: Write Out Each Step Clearly
Even if you’re confident in your answer, outline your steps. For example, if it’s a math question, include each part of the calculation rather than jumping to the final answer. This way, if there’s a mistake, your instructor can see exactly where it happened and award partial credit.
Also, writing out your process can help you catch mistakes in real-time, giving you a chance to fix them before moving on.
9. Overlooking Points Allocation
Not all questions are created equal. Some might be worth only a few points, while others carry a big chunk of your total score. Focusing too much on low-point questions or too little on high-point ones can result in a lower overall grade, even if you answer most questions correctly.
Solution: Adjust Your Effort Based on Points
When you first scan the exam, note the point value for each question. Give high-value questions more of your time and energy, and don’t dwell too long on low-point questions. This way, you’re making sure you’re maximizing points where it matters most. This approach not only helps with time management but also boosts your chances of a higher score.
10. Letting Anxiety Affect Performance
It’s natural to feel nervous and a little anxious during an exam, but anxiety can sometimes cause blank-outs, second-guessing, or even a rush to finish early. When anxiety takes over, it’s easy to make mistakes or skip over important details, even when you know the answers.
Solution: Use Simple Calming Techniques to Stay Grounded
If you feel panic setting in, try to pause and take a few slow, deep breaths. This can slow down your heart rate and bring you back into focus. I find it helpful to close my eyes for a few seconds, visualize something calming, and remind myself I’ve prepared.
If you start feeling anxious mid-exam, ground yourself by focusing on the question at hand, rather than the entire test. Take it one question at a time, and remember: you’ve put in the work, and you’re capable of handling this.
Bonus Mistake 1: Trying to Cheat During the Exam
It might be tempting to cheat when you’re feeling unprepared or stressed, but this is one of the worst exam mistakes that can have serious consequences. Cheating doesn’t just risk a failing grade; it can also lead to disciplinary actions that affect your academic record or even your future opportunities.
Plus, relying on cheating stops you from actually learning the material—something that can hurt you down the line if these concepts come up again in other courses or exams.
Solution: Prepare and Use Time Wisely
Instead of relying on shortcuts, use practical strategies to make the most of the time you have left. During an exam, remember that it’s often better to make an educated guess than leave a question blank or risk cheating. Many instructors look for critical thinking and effort as much as correct answers, so give each question your best shot. Even if you’re unsure of an answer, providing a reasoned response shows effort and could earn you partial credit.
And when you’re preparing for exams, focus on study techniques that help you absorb information more efficiently, like the Pomodoro technique or active recall methods. Building confidence in your own abilities will reduce the temptation to cheat, and you’ll feel much more accomplished knowing that you earned your results honestly.
Bonus Mistake 2: Scribbling Messy or Unclear Answers
When you’re in a rush, it’s tempting to scribble down answers and move on, but messy handwriting or disorganized answers can make it harder for graders to understand or give full credit.
Solution: Write Neatly and Organize Your Answers
Take the time to keep your handwriting clear and organize your thoughts. If it’s an essay, consider breaking it into paragraphs for each main point. Use margins, skip lines if you need to, and make sure that your answer flows logically. It doesn’t have to be beautiful, but clear, legible answers make a difference, and they help your grader appreciate the effort you put into the exam.
Conclusion
Exams can be tough, but a few small adjustments make them more manageable. Remember, you’ve prepared for this moment, so stay calm, be mindful, and approach each question with confidence. You’ve got this!
And hey—are there any other exam mistakes you’ve learned to avoid? Drop a comment and share your tips!
