The test of human life begins from the moment he/she opens the eyes of consciousness in this world. This cycle continues as long as he is in this world. A person goes through various exams, one of which is the academic exam. This exam is conducted to test the mental capacity of the students and accordingly (if passed) they are eligible to advance to the next level. How to come out of the fear of exams?
According to known history, the practice of examinations dates back to ancient China where imperial officials were selected through rigorous examinations. The earliest recorded examinations in Europe were administered by the University of Bologna in the 11th century. Since then, tests have become a common part of education and employment, used to assess knowledge, skills, and intelligence.
Most students get nervous just by imagining the exam or hearing the word. The reason is that in our society, the mindset of students has been heavily influenced by exams. Perhaps students do not realize the importance of exams. Does a question arise that ‘Are exams necessary’? Yes! Exams are very important. but how?
Examinations are a fundamental aspect of education systems around the world. Their main purpose is to assess and evaluate student progress, academic skills, and knowledge. Exams provide a measure of student learning, understanding, and retention of course material, as well as an effective way to analyze student knowledge. They are designed to determine whether students have grasped the concepts taught during a particular course or curriculum or whether there are more barriers to learning.
Another aspect of exams is that they encourage students to study and learn. Exams create a sense of accountability and responsibility. Also, exams provide an objective measure of a student’s performance, which helps in standardizing the testing and evaluation process across different educational institutions. How to come out of the fear of exams?
Exams play an important role in college and university admissions. Most institutions require standardized test scores such as the SAT, ACT, ECAT, MDCAT, GRE, or GMAT as part of the admissions process. These test scores are used along with other factors such as academic credentials, co-curricular activities, and personal statements to assess a student’s potential for success in higher education.
Success or failure in exams also affects a student’s future career. Most institutions use the results of professional certifications or licensing exams as a measure of a candidate’s ability and knowledge in a particular field. Similarly, exams can also be important in securing certain job opportunities and career paths. Also, the exams are one of the gateways to getting a scholarship and further higher education. Because admission to good institutions and scholarships are both related to exam scores.
How to come out of the fear of exams?
1) To prepare for exams, it is important to start studying well before the exam date by planning well.
2) Reviewing textbooks and notes taken during lectures, practicing quizzes and questions, group study with fellow students, and seeking guidance from your respective teachers as needed are also very important. Appreciate yourself with each passing day and after positively setting the preparation steps.
3) Students should adopt healthy study habits to prepare for exams calmly. Some methods, such as breaking study material into manageable chunks and creating a realistic schedule for re-reading material, can be helpful.
4) Make sure that you understand what you have read. Also, write down the studied material so that you remember it all on the exam day.
5) Taking regular breaks and being physically active can help reduce stress and fatigue.
6) Staying organized, getting enough rest, and eating well can help students maintain focus and increase productivity.
7) After taking care of all these matters it is also very important to reach the exam center with all the necessary equipment related to the exam and with a fresh mind to tackle the exam.
If the result is not up to the desired standard:
If the result is contrary to expectations, then one should remain calm and consider the following points.
1- Students should evaluate their performance objectively without panicking.
2- It is important to determine where things went wrong and take appropriate steps to address deficiencies.
3- Taking help from teachers or tutors, revising material, and practicing past exam papers are effective ways to improve performance.
4- If one is unable to achieve one’s goals due to test results, it is important to consider alternative options. For example, students may consider taking a gap year to gain additional skills or experience before reapplying to college or university. They may also consider pursuing vocational training to gain specific skills or certifications.
5- Students can explore alternative career paths that do not require a college degree or find employment opportunities that value skills and experience more than formal education.
Can exams have negative aspects?
Not at all, but students suffer from some problems due to competitive pressure which can lead to poor performance. It has been observed that under the pressure of exams, some students neglect their daily routines like eating, drinking, and sleeping, which not only affects their health but also results in poor performance on exam day. But it does not mean that the exams have any negative effect, rather students by putting such pressure on themselves start to understand that the exams are hurting them.
Examinations are an important aspect of the education system, providing an objective measure of academic ability and facilitating academic progress. Don’t think of exams as a burden, but consider them as an exercise in mental health so that you can walk into the exam room with peace of mind and when you get up from there, have the hope that all the hard work you have put in will be rewarded. Because tests can affect college admissions and future career opportunities, it’s important to remember that they are only one measure of a student’s ability.
