Home testing seems simple, doesn’t it? You’re in your familiar space, you don’t have to hurry somewhere — as often happens with my students struggling to meet a testing center’s schedule — and who says you can’t have snacks nearby? But here’s the reality: Online exams have their own set of obstacles that could sneak up on you if you’re not fully prepared. Technical snafus and internet problems can derail tests; students also deal with distractions at home and the stress of managing their time on a screen.
The good news? With proper preparation and mindset, you can stride into any online exam feeling confident and able to show what you know. This guide will help you through everything you need to know before, during and after an online exam, from setting up your space to managing pre-test jitters and what happens if something goes wrong.
Why Online Exams Feel Different
Before we dig into some preparation tips, it’s worth discussing why online exams may seem harder to you than the traditional pen-and-paper version. In the classroom test, everything is controlled. The room is silent, the teacher is around to help, and you won’t crash your computer.
Online exams flip this script. You’re accountable for your environment, your tech and staying focused because there isn’t someone watching you. Some students enjoy this freedom; others find it disorienting to be unmoored from even the rhythms of a collegiate day. The trick is figuring out how to build your own structure and support system.
Setting Up Your Digital Workspace
Your physical location is more important than you realize. Where you take your exam can be the difference between success or failure. Here’s how to set up the ideal testing environment.
Choose the Right Spot
Choose a quiet space where you won’t be bothered by other people. That might be your bedroom, a home office or even a library if you need to escape family noise. The area should have a firm surface for your computer and adequate lighting so you don’t put strain on your eyes.
This space should have good internet access. Check the speed of your connection before you take the exam. If you have spotty wifi in some areas of your house, pick a different spot or get as close to your router as possible.
Clean and Organize
An untidy desk means an untidy mind. Remove everything you don’t need for the test. Only hold what you are allowed: your computer, charger, calculator (if one is permitted), scratch paper, pens, water bottle and other materials approved.
Check your exam rules carefully. Some tests do not permit the use of any additional materials, while others may allow you to work with notes or a textbook. Breaking these rules — including by accident — can get you in a lot of trouble.
Get the Tech Right
Your computer is your test center. Ensure it’s on performance mode. Update your operating system and browser a few days BEFORE, not exam day. End any unnecessary programs and browser tabs to open up space in your memory and help avoid distractions.
If your exam requires special software, such as a lockdown browser or a proctoring application, install and test it beforehand. On exam day, many students have panicked because they can’t get the software running. Don’t be that student.
How To Create A Study Schedule That Actually Works
If cramming the night before doesn’t work for a regular exam, it certainly isn’t going to work for an online test. You require a strong study schedule that paces your work throughout the year.
Start Early, Stay Consistent
Start studying at least two weeks before the test, three if it’s substantial. Break your work apart in chunks, and do a little each day. This technique, which is known as spaced repetition, helps cement information in your mind much better than cramming.
Make a calendar or use an app that organizes your study plans by day. Be specific: say “study chemistry” rather than “study,” or specify what you’re going to study (e.g., “read chapters 5-7, work on balancing equations”).
Mix Up Your Study Methods
Your brain gets bored when you create the same thing again and again. Maintain the engagement by moving between various study tasks. A sample rotation is provided below:
Study Method | What it does best
- Reading notes – Reviews basic information – First pass through the material
- Practice problems – Applications of knowledge – Maths/Sciences/Coding
- Flashcards – Strengthens memory – Vocabulary/dates/formulas
- Teaching someone else – Forces deep understanding – All subjects
- Practice test – Simulates real exam conditions – Final preparation
Create Active Study Sessions
“Passive” studying (like re-reading notes) is the worst way to study. Information needs to really work in your brain to be stored in long-term memory. Try these active techniques:
- Write your own practice questions and answer them
- Make diagrams or concept maps that link up ideas
- Talk out loud about subjects as if teaching a friend
- Retype your handwritten notes in your own words without peeking back at the original text
- Find real-world applications for what you’re learning
Mastering the Technical Side
Technology: It works great, until it doesn’t. Seize control of the tech side so it doesn’t hold you hostage on exam day.
Run Multiple Test Sessions
Many online testing websites provide practice tests or demos. Take every single one available. This is not just about learning the content; it’s about getting used to the interface.
Observe the following during your practice runs:
- How to navigate between questions
- Where the timer is displayed
- Tagging questions for review
- Where the submit button is situated
- If you can go back to previous questions
Prepare Your Backup Plans
Technology fails. Batteries die. Internet cuts out. Plan for a plan B (or even C):
- Internet backup: You know the password for your phone’s mobile hotspot, or a family member has their phone ready to make a wi-fi-hotspot if needed
- Power backup: Make sure your laptop is charged and plugged in while taking the exam
- Contact information: You’ll definitely want to save your teacher or proctor’s email address and phone number somewhere you can easily access it from your phone
- Backup device: Bring an extra computer or tablet if you can
How to Prepare for Online Exams Confidently
24 Hours in Advance, Test Your Set-Up
The day before your exam, do a tech check:
- Test your internet speed (10 Mbps download is ideal)
- Camera and microphone test if you are using proctoring software
- Check how much hard drive space and memory your computer has
- Check the exam software can be opened and functions correctly
- Test with whatever peripherals you will use (external mouse, keyboard, etc.)
Smart Strategies During the Exam
So all that studying was for something, and your tech (hopefully) is dialed in. Now comes the final strategy, how to take the test.
Read Everything Carefully
That sounds obvious, but stress makes us rush. Open the exam, and spend two minutes doing the following:
- Read all instructions completely
- Take note of how many questions you can answer
- Note how much time you have
- Determine if questions are worth varying amounts of points
- Determine if you are able to skip questions and come back to them later
Manage Your Time Like a Pro
Time management is especially important in online exams: you may not realize how quickly other students are progressing and there’s no teacher to provide time warnings.
Here is an easy formula for time management:
- Multiply that number by your overall exam time in minutes
- Subtract 5-10 minutes for proofing and editing
- Divide the time patiently into the number of questions
That is how long you have per question.
Example: 60 minutes total, 40 questions, -10 for review = 50 minutes / 40 questions = 1.25 per question.
Set checkpoints for yourself. If you have an hour exam, look at the clock 15, 30 and 45 minutes into it to ensure that you are pacing. For more strategies on effective time management, check out this guide on time management techniques.
Use the Question-Skipping Strategy
Don’t linger on difficult questions. If you’re taking too long on a question and still don’t know the answer, mark it and come back. There might be easier questions further down that you will miss if you spend all your time on one hard question.
After you complete all of the questions you are confident in, return to those with a circled answer. Sometimes, a later question hints at the answer to an earlier one, or your brain figures it out while you’re doing something else.
Double-Check Before Submitting
You can use the time you’ve set aside in review:
- Ensure you have completed all the questions
- Confirm that all multiple-choice bubbles are marked properly
- Take a look at whatever doubt-inducing questions you had
- Ensure essay responses are thorough and grammatically correct
- Make sure all file uploads (if any) succeeded
Dealing With Exam Day Stress
If you’ve prepared for the test, you might still be a little nervous on exam day. That’s normal. They help you remain calm and focused.
Pre-Exam Relaxation Routine
Begin your exam day on the right note with a soothing regimen:
2-3 hours before: Eat a nice meal that includes protein and complex carbohydrates (eggs on toast, peanut butter sandwich, yogurt with granola). Stay clear of heavy, greasy foods that may make you sluggish.
1 hour before: Exercise lightly. Go for a 10-minute walk, stretch or do some jumping jacks. Physical movement decreases your levels of stress hormones.
30 minutes before: Check your main notes one final time, and then return them to their place. Cramming in those last minutes just adds to stress.
15 minutes before: Do some breathing exercises. Try the 4-7-8 technique: breathe in for a count of four, hold for a count of seven, and breathe out for a count of eight. Repeat four times.
During the Exam: Instant Stress Busters
If you get panicky during the test:
- Stop and breathe: Close your eyes for 10 seconds while taking three deep breaths
- Stretch: Roll shoulders, bend wrists, move neck
- Positive self-talk: Swap “I can’t make this,” with “I’ve trained for this; I can handle it!”
- Focus on the things you can control: If you can’t control the difficulty of the questions, then focus on what you can control – your effort and strategy
Special Cases and How to Treat Them
If Your Internet Disconnects
Don’t panic. The majority of online test systems will actually auto-save your progress. Reconnect as soon as possible with your backup internet if you have. If you are unable to rejoin within a couple of minutes, call or contact your instructor immediately at the contact information you saved.
Document the outage: jot down the time, what you were doing, and for how long you were disconnected. Take screenshots if possible. This information also assists your instructor in giving you the necessary accommodations.
If You Don’t Know an Answer
Use the process of elimination. In multiple choice questions, eliminate the answers you know are wrong. That way you increase your odds of guess-and-checking properly since there are fewer choices left.
For essay questions that stump you, at least write something. Something is better than nothing. This is where you tell what you do know about the subject, even if it’s not enough to fully answer the question.
If You Finish Early
Don’t rush to submit. Use the extra time productively:
- Review every answer again
- Check your math calculations
- Proofread essay answers for unclear sentences and typos
- Make sure that you didn’t inadvertently skip past any questions
- Be sure to save or submit all of your responses
Post-Test: Learning for the Next Time
After you submit your exam, take a beat. What went well? What would you do differently? Write these thoughts down when they feel present. This reflection allows you to do even better on your next online test.
Reward yourself for completing even if you aren’t feeling like it was perfect. You came, you made a go of it and you sat the test. That deserves recognition.
The Night Before: Your Last-Minute Checklist
Here is everything you need to do the night before your exam:
Technical Prep:
- Charge all devices fully
- Update and restart your computer
- Test exam software one more time
- Clear browser cache and cookies
- Close all irrelevant programs and tabs opened on your browser
- Place backup devices within reach
Physical Prep:
- Prepare your exam space
- Leave out permitted items (calculator, scratch paper, pen)
- Set out your comfortable clothes for the next day
- Set multiple alarms
- Plan your pre-exam meal
Mental Prep:
- Quick recap of main ideas and concepts
- Write down 3 things you believe in
- Get that relaxation schedule ready for tomorrow
- Go to bed at a decent time (7-8 hours of rest)
How to Prepare for Online Exams Confidently
Building Long-Term Confidence
Confidence for online exams does not result from last-minute cramming or hoping for easy questions. It emanates from thorough practice, awareness of the technology and understanding that you have solutions for whatever may happen.
Every online test you take gives you a new piece of information about what will work for you. Perhaps you find that you need a more tranquil environment, or that morning exams sit better with you than ones held in the afternoon, or that different study strategies jibe better with your learning style.
Consider each test as a learning experience. The skills you develop getting ready for online tests — time management, discipline, the ability to figure out computer glitches and dealing with stress during a test — are useful far outside of school. You are nurturing skills that will serve you after college, in the workplace and in life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I crash during an online exam?
Keep calm and restart your computer right now. Many test platforms will save your place automatically. Re-log back in immediately and continue your test. If your answers from the previous questions aren’t showing on the platform, let your instructor know ASAP with the exact time of the crash. If possible, take screenshots of any error messages. Most schools have policies for tech failures that are not your doing.
Can I use my mobile device to take an online exam?
It’s all according to what your exam rules are like. Some exams permit mobile devices to be used, but most discourage it because phones have small screens that may make it difficult to read and answer questions. Review your exam instructions before the day of the test. If phones will be permitted make sure your phone is fully charged and connected to the wifi rather than using your cell data so you won’t lose connection.
When should I log in for my exam online?
Login 10-15 minutes prior to your scheduled start. This leaves you some leeway in case of any unplanned technical issues, such as software updates, login failures or slow load times. Arriving early also minimizes anxiety and allows you to slip into the frame of mind in which you’ll be taking your test. Just make sure not to sign in too soon — some systems only open access during a certain time frame.
What if I have to go to the bathroom during an exam?
Check your exam policies beforehand. You may have to request a break for proctored exams, however, and the timer usually keeps running. Unproctored exams generally let you come and go, but again, the clock does not stop. Try to hit the bathroom shortly before you launch, and don’t overdo it with the water in the minutes leading up to your test.
Are Online Exams More Difficult Than In-Person Exams?
Not necessarily harder, just different. Online exams take out the school setting that some kids need to succeed. But you are in a comfortable, familiar environment and that can make others feel less anxious. The technical difficulty of the questions is usually the same. Success is more contingent on how much you prepare for the online style and less so that it’s harder.
Do I need to prepare differently for online exams as compared to regular exams?
Your content study should remain the same, but do extra preparations for any technical and environmental parts. Spend time familiarizing yourself with the exam platform, practice managing your time on a screen and prepare your testing environment. Also, self-discipline: No one will be watching you in person. Treat the material like you would for any test.
Your Key to Online Exam Performance
Online exams are likely here to stay and being good at them is a skill worth developing. The tactics in this guide — including creating your ideal workspace, managing stress and dealing with technical issues — provide everything you need to succeed.
Remind yourself that confidence is the result of preparation. When you feel prepared after studying, testing your tech, prepared your space and practiced the tricks of the trade, what you felt was that nervous energy becomes laser focused determination.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be prepared. Try out these strategies today, and you will find yourself walking into your next virtual exam no longer afraid, but simply knowing what to do.
Good luck with your exams. You’ve got this!
