Tips on Focusing during a test

[gablet]

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Has anyone had the experience of looking at a question on a test and thinking that it is asking one thing, but when you come back to that question later, you find that it is really asking something different?

I don't know if I am making any sense, but with the increased workload of pharmacy school, I am finding that I am having a hard time concentrating during tests. In the past, I would get nervous before a test, but lately I am still anxious during the test and it is making it difficult to focus. Does anyone have any advice on how to focus and read a test question (as well as tricky answers for a multiple choice exam) correctly the first time?

 

[chloejane]

This might seem obvious, but it helps me... I underline or circle whatever the key point of the question is, such as 'increase, decrease, eliminate, nucleophilic attack, ect. That helps me focus on what the question is really asking and ignore all of the "story line" to the question.

Also, chewing gum during a test is supposed to help you (don't know why or how). I do it and it honestly helps me control some of my test anxiety. I think it especially works if you are a natural tooth grinder/clencher.

Hope this helps!

 

[tupac_don]

Has anyone had the experience of looking at a question on a test and thinking that it is asking one thing, but when you come back to that question later, you find that it is really asking something different?

I don't know if I am making any sense, but with the increased workload of pharmacy school, I am finding that I am having a hard time concentrating during tests. In the past, I would get nervous before a test, but lately I am still anxious during the test and it is making it difficult to focus. Does anyone have any advice on how to focus and read a test question (as well as tricky answers for a multiple choice exam) correctly the first time?

To foucs, I'd suggest to do several things:

1) Read the questions, and find out exactly what it's asking, like are all of the following CORRECT or INCORRECT. Or which one of these does "this".

2) Every answer that you read, and you know it can't be the answer, cross it off immediately.

3) Once you are sure of the answer, check mark it and transfer it onto the scantron.

This will help you focus, and give you confidence that you are sure of how many questions you got right. Good luck.

 

[off2skl]

I agree with what the others have said, I completely mark up my tests, underlining, circling, crossing out answers. And I still make stupid mistakes. Also, sometimes skipping and coming back to the question helps "Oh THAT'S what they were asking!!!!!" Also, is your trouble concentrating possibly due to things happening around you (noise, etc).

BTW, if this is in reference to Bowman's tests don't feel bad he can be really tricky in his wording. I think he even used double negatives sometimes!

 

[pharmmom]

My Gen Chem teacher used to hand out blow pops before tests. He said that the chewing and sucking would increase blood flow to our brain!

 

[freshbeatschris]

I agree with what everyone has said thus far. When I feel good about my answer, I cross off the number, then I know not to waste my time coming back to it.

I have never had test anxiety before in my life, but during my Orgo II standardized final, I started having a mini panic attack; sweating, heart racing, fuzzy vision, it was awful! I thought I totally bombed it, but ended up getting one point over what I needed to get an A for the class.

One thing that I do BEFORE a test, and this seems to help for me, force your mind to go blank. You have done all the useful studying that you are going to do before the exam, making your mind try and process everything all at once will just jumble it up in your head. I used to actually do a set of tai chi before I went into the classroom. I think it is so beneficial to start the test when you are completely calm.

Chris

 

[gablet]

Thanks everyone!!

 

[DownonthePharm]

I try to spend a few minutes before a big test working on a crossword puzzle. It calms me down, and puts me in thinking mode. You cant learn anything in that last 3-4 minutes anyway.

 

[Sosumi]

My biggest thing is to get plenty of rest the night before. Our exams are always at 7:30 in the morning, so I try to get to bed by 10. I've found that if I spend extra hours just studying and cramming, they're a waste of time since I'll be making careless mistakes during the exam because I'm not thinking clearly or want to finish faster so I can be done and get some sleep afterward.

 

[eunos]

Study hard and on test day take a provigil !!! 😕 😱

Just kidding. Just pay attention in class and study hard. Stay relaxed and ask lots of questions during the test if you are unsure of the wording of the question.

 

[spacecowgirl]

Adderall XR

If you can't get that, what helps me is to make sure I have all my "hygiene" type matters in order. Extra pencils, bottle of water, tissues, calculator all in order so I can't be distracted by any of that kind of stuff. When reading multiple choice questions I also highlight key words and cross off wrong choices by crossing out what is wrong and jotting down a quick reason why. It really helps me think through the problem.

Oh yeah, and lucky underpants.