In the “Brochure for High School Admission in the 2024-2025 school year”, the Iași County School Inspectorate sends students several recommendations regarding the 2024 National Assessment exam. These are tips that will help them successfully overcome their emotions and concentrate better.
More than 160,000 students start the National Assessment exam on Tuesday. Photo source: archive
National Assessment 2024. What advice does the booklet contain
The booklet contains more advice on what students should do before, during and after the exam.
“What do I do the day before the exam?”
Remember your best performance. Think about a previous personal experience where you were successful. What helped you perform well? How can you apply resources from previous experience? If you’ve succeeded in the past, you’ll surely succeed again!
Remember how you have overcome the obstacles so far. Remember that you had other obstacles to overcome. You used some coping strategies then that can help you now. So instead of telling yourself, “I don’t know anything anymore,” you better replace that thought with, “So far I’ve passed these obstacles. And now it will be the same.”
Avoid comparing yourself to other colleagues now, just focus on yourself. Comparing yourself to your peers only increases your stress level. Think only of what you can control and not what is outside of you.
Stop studying and relax. Relaxation is a method of self-control over emotions. It is pointless to study now, because there is a risk that you will only remember what you learned today. Yes, it’s hard, because you can panic and feel like you don’t know anything anymore, but try to make an effort! The fact that these states occur is very normal, it happens to all of us.
Get enough rest! A good night’s sleep will help you be more rested, more creative, focused and attentive in solving the demands tomorrow. Go to bed early, sleep enough hours. If you are tired, you may make some mistakes that you normally wouldn’t.
Think of the exam as growth. If you see the exam as a threat, as something very big and difficult, you only increase the stress level. Stress comes from your fear of failure. Try to consider the exam as an opportunity. The exam is definitely just a stage in your growth!
“What do I do on exam day?”
morning – Prepare to go to the assessment. Take blue writing instruments, personal papers, a bottle of water with you, but more importantly, leave home the mental “baggage” that can confuse you, such as insecurity or thoughts like: “I didn’t study enough” , “I do not know anything anymore”. Instead, take positive thoughts with you, tell yourself “I can do this” or “I know what I’m doing” and don’t forget the confidence, courage, inspiration and focus you will need in your assessment classes.
On the way to school, recall an achievement of yours or a funny situation. Think of the most loving eyes that ever looked at you, the most motivating words that were once spoken to you, think of all your successes (even the smallest ones). Take yourself, in the most desired and beloved version.
When you get to the exam hall, avoid discussing the exam with other candidates, especially those who say: “look how hard this year is giving us!”. You will get emotional and lose the confidence you have in yourself and have worked so hard to build.
During the trial – Inhale deeply and exhale slowly before reading the topics. When you breathe in, think that you are taking in confidence, knowledge; and when you exhale, you eliminate fear and stress.
Make sure you understand what each topic asks of you. Most often mistakes are made because the requirement was not understood. So read the topics completely, very carefully. To avoid getting stuck, read each topic several times, start with the one you know best.
If, however, a topic gives you trouble, leave it and come back to it later. Write everything you know, everything that can be scored!
Plan your answers and aim to be on time. Making a plan is extremely important as it helps you to organize yourself, answer topics according to the time you have set yourself, keeping a backup for revision as well. Read and revise at least 3 times. The more you read the topics, the more likely you are to spot some mistakes.
Stay in the exam room until the working time is over. Avoid rushing unnecessarily, what good does it do if you turn in the paper first? When you’re done, use the remaining time to reread it and check. Think about what you might leave out by re-reading the topics and comparing them with your answers. Check the draft and make sure you have transcribed all the important information on the exam paper.
After the exam – Take a break, rest, or reward yourself. Do something for yourself, you deserve it! An exam can consume a lot of energy and increase your stress level.
Check the grading scale and try to evaluate your work correctly. Note that any correct wording of the answer will be taken into account.
Take advantage of the time between two tests to prepare for the next one.
The 2024 National Assessment exam advice booklet can be found here.
