Here at LIA, we understand that sitting an exam can be a stressful experience. At this stage, you’ve done everything you can do in terms of studying, but we’d like to share some advice on things you can do on the day of the exam to help you feel more relaxed and prepared, and give you the best possible outcome.
Get a good night's sleep
While it’s tempting to stay up late studying the night before your exam, this can leave you feeling tired and groggy the next day. Make sure you get a good night's sleep, ideally 7 to 9 hours. This will help you feel more alert and focused during the exam.
Eat a healthy breakfast (and lunch, depending on your exam time!)
Eating nutritious food on the day of your exam will help you feel more energized and focused. Choose foods that are high in protein and complex carbohydrates, such as porridge, eggs, wholegrain bread. Snack on things like nuts, seeds and a banana. Drink water to stay hydrated. Avoid too much sugar and caffeine as they often exasperate nerves and can cause a crash later in the day.
Be prepared
Ensure you are familiar with all of the resources provided to you by LIA to help you prepare for the online exam process. Ideally, have everything you need for the exam and be ready to go half an hour before it starts. You'll have time to settle in and feel relaxed and organised. Ensure you’re sitting your exam in a quiet space without distractions.
Go outside
Once you’re confident you have everything ready, and still have time to spare, try to get outside for a few minutes. Walk around and breathe in the fresh air. This will help you feel more alert and focused during the exam.
Stay calm
If you feel yourself getting nervous or overwhelmed before or during the exam, this is completely normal. Simply pause and take a few deep breaths. In for 4 seconds, out for 4 seconds. Try to relax your muscles and release tension from your body.
Focus on what you know
Read the exam questions carefully and answer the questions you know first. This will help to build your confidence and reduce nerves. For MCQ exams, be mindful of negative marking and use the progress bar to help you decide if you are going to attempt questions you are unsure of. But try not to get too caught up in the answers you don't know. Allow yourself the full designated time to complete the exam, and if you have time left at the end, read back over your answers.
Don’t Panic
Some things are simply outside of our control, so there’s always a possibility of technical issues. If this happens, please don’t panic. Our Education Team are at hand throughout the exam day and will happily help you with any difficulties. Contact us on 01 456 3890 (select option 1) or education@lia.ie.
We understand that taking an exam can be a challenging experience for everyone, but you’ve done the hard work in studying, so try to stay positive and just take the exam as it comes. Follow our tips above and forget about what your result might be, or what your colleagues in the office might be saying on Monday. Just focus on the exam in front of you and take it one question at a time.
Wishing all of our students the very best of luck in your exams!