The OC & selective test is a necessary step for students aiming to enter the programs. The selective & OC test is a multiple-choice exam where time is distributed evenly for each paper. The exam aims to measure students’ ability to offer accurate answers within a specific time.
During the test, you may encounter lengthy questions in sections like the thinking & reading assessment. It’s common among students to make errors because of limited time constraints. To excel in the opportunity class test, in this blog, we have described an effective selective test time management approach during the exam.
Strategies to follow for time management during exam day
Exams are overwhelming when you can’t complete the paper on time. Have you ever imagined the scenario where the invigilator snatches your answer sheet before you click on the answer? The following scenarios showcase ineffective time management. 88% of students find it tough to manage their time in the exam hall. No matter how much you study, if you fail to practice time management, you won’t get the desired results. Here are a few steps to follow for maintaining your time during the OC test.
- Read the complete question paper & set priority
Before you start writing answers, take a deep breath and read each question carefully. Don’t just take your eyes off & skip an option in a second. Examiners always ask easy questions in a complicated way to confuse students. They want to measure your analytical thinking and cognitive skills through this. Misreading & distractions can cause negative scoring.
No matter how confident you are, be calm; otherwise, you will end up in a disaster. For effective time management, read the complete set of papers carefully. This helps you to set your strategies, building a priority to solve which question to answer first. Plan your answer & ensure you won’t miss a single step. Mark the questions which you are confident about & plan the answers accordingly.
- Practise is the key
Practising sample papers prior to the exam helps to drive your confidence level. If you won’t, you might be surprised how tough it is to solve questions in a timely manner. Practising the old & current test papers, last year’s question papers are the key to measuring your time & skills to solve a specific question.
- Be realistic
Before starting to write answers, be aware of what types of questions are asked in the exam. Be realistic when writing answers on paper. You must know how much detail you need to put in a question. The amount of details & sophistication decides your abilities. Stop exaggerating an answer and leaving it in an unfinished manner. Write concisely & let the reader feel the answer is complete.
- Divide your time
When you check various questions on paper, design a study plan for how long you are going to spend on each question. Stick to your time allocation plan and approach it accurately before the time slips. Time structure depends on the way you perform work. When you divide time, make sure you have some time at the beginning for planning & at the end to recheck the answers. Let yourself feel free and calm. Giving answers to any question in a rush can damage your score, so stick to your plan.
- Start with something you are confident in
Some people start solving questions that they find tough. Well, it is suggested to cover the questions on which you are confident in answering. Experimenting with your problem-solving skills in the initial hours can put you in a confusing & dreadful situation. Once you are done with ease, choose questions where you are less confident and integrate new ideas. Don’t spend excessive time solving one question only. This is how you can drive your confidence level.
- Don’t leave the hall early
We all know the temptation of leaving the exam hall early to calm down your mind & soul. It’s a feeling of freedom & escaping from all tension. Rather than leaving the hall, sit and recheck the answers you wrote. Check spellings, grammar, and scrawled words. Time is precious, so don’t waste it by hanging out with friends outside the exam hall.
- Revision is a must
Don’t submit the answer sheet in a hurry at the last minute. Finish your paper in the exam prior to time and allocate time at the end for revision. Check whether you have left any questions, and mention the incorrect answer. Additionally, ask for the new sheet from the invigilator in advance. If something goes wrong, skips an important text, or misread a question, take time to write new answers in bullet points.
- Avoid overthinking, distractions, and multitasking
Inside the exam hall, students need to avoid overthinking, distractions, and multitasking. Try to focus on questions that seem easier rather than on tough ones. Focus on how to solve the next questions rather than looking for what others are doing. Concentrate on your papers and limit distractions. Focus on solving one question rather than multitasking. Multitasking can limit productivity and concentration. Give full attention to the study session & inside the hall to drive your productivity & confidence.
Scoring well in selective & OC tests requires dedication, hard work, time management skills & well-designed approach. By understanding the above-discussed selective test time management points, you can achieve your goals by improving the chances of your success. Visit TestRoom to get expert assistance for learning time management skills by enrolling in their programs.