Best Tips for Success in Online Exams

Nowadays an increasing number of reputed colleges and companies are adopting various
competitive exams to screen potential candidates. Some of the well-known competitive tests are Government Exams, IELTS, TOEFL, SATs, GMAT, and so on. Most of these tests are online and the procedures to conduct them are completely different from pen and paper tests. There are many advantages of these online-based testing systems for both the organizers and the people who are taking these tests. The biggest benefit of online exams is that they aren’t only time efficient and convenient, they considerably reduce the cost of print and paper, which is common with conventional tests.

The primary advantage of such tests is that they can easily be customized to suit the
requirements of the companies and the candidates, confidential and leakage proof. As these tests are conducted over a computer and can be taken when the candidate has logged into the system, they have no idea what the questions will be, there is a zero chance of cheating. This avoids re-scheduling of question papers. Candidates can also get the option of selecting their tests dates and time that is suitable for them. This is something you don’t get to do with traditional exams.

Users, taking the tests for the first time can be quite overwhelming, and it is not uncommon to see candidates taking the same tests multiple times to improve their existing scores. However, the process can be expensive, time-consuming, not to mention stressful and discouraging. Therefore, it is sensible to gain some form of insights and knowledge about the methods and techniques of these incredibly competitive tests before actually taking one.
In this article, we will shed some light on the procedures of these tests that will help candidates gain high scores, avoid making the common mistakes, and most importantly saving time by not taking the same tests over and over again.

10 Tips To Be Successful In Online Exams

1. Hire A Tutor
Before attending any online tests or any kind of tests whatsoever, the first and foremost
thing to do is a hire a private tutor. You should take help from a tutor who has adequate
training and experience in these tests. For example, if you’re thinking about taking a
TOEFL exam, seek help from a TOEFL instructor

2. Be Computer Savvy
We already mentioned these tests are conducted on a computer screen. If you aren’t
tech savvy or don’t know how to handle computer—then get comfortable on handling computers. The best way to become good with computers is to spend more and more
time with computers daily. Try doing this before taking the test. This will also help to
manage your time while taking the exam.

3. Wait For The Page To Download Completely Before Answering Any Questions
When it comes to scoring big in an online test, patience is a must. Don’t answer any
questions before the page gets downloaded fully. A large number of candidates tend to
answer the questions before the page gets downloaded which results in wrong answers
or missed questions. An incomplete paper will really affect your performance in the test
and your final score will go down.

4. Take Mock Online Tests
Attempting mock online exams before the actual scheduled test is a great way to get
experience and become familiar with the questions. Furthermore, this is also extremely
beneficial as not only will you become familiar with the question patterns; it will also
make you confident and help you overcome the intimidation factor. Additionally, it will
enable you to complete the test before the allocated time. This will give you some time
for revisions.

5. Always Read The Instructions Carefully
Online tests often have many instructions and there are different symbols that connote
different meanings. Not following these instructions can result in an incomplete paper
or even suspension of the test itself. So, read all the instructions carefully before
attempting any questions

6. Click ‘Save’ After Every Attempt
Always save your answers after marking the options. The system doesn’t automatically
save your answers, so if you don’t save your answers before jumping over to the next
section, there is a chance that your questions might remain un-attempted. So, click the
save button once you are done with a particular question or section.

7. Don’t Get Disappointed During Technical Glitches
Given the nature of these tests, it is not uncommon to see some technical mishaps
during the test. Most of the technical glitches come without a warning and can happen
to anyone, anytime. If it happens to you, remain calm and don’t panic. Ask your test
administrator or invigilator for help. Take the right action; panicking will only exaggerate
the issue.

8. Have A Strategic Approach
Having a well-planned strategy always helps whether its business or exams. It pays to be
strategic during an online test. Try to go through the sections that are relatively easy or
can be answered quickly. Attempt to complete complex sections or questions later. This
technique helps in time-management. It also helps you to be confident and feeling less
nervous.

9. Set Deadlines For Every Question
Proper time management is the key to success when it comes to online tests. In online
exams, timing is crucial. In other words, it is everything. You won’t see any invigilators
warning you about the remaining time. The test page screen has a section on the top
right or left where the timer is displayed. This makes a lot of candidates anxious, and the
right way to cope with this perpetual stress is by setting a fixed amount of time for each
question or section. If you can’t answer a question within that time, skip it, and try
solving the next question. This way you can reduce your anxiety level.

10. Allocate Some Time To Revise
It is common for candidates to deliberately make mistakes in online tests in spite of
knowing the correct option. It is simple to spot them if you re-check your paper before
the submission. We recommend you set aside at least 10 minutes time exclusively for
revising the answers.