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| Preparing for Certification Exams |  Learn about the test
Become familiar with the test that you are going to take and have a mental plan for how you will spend your time most effectively for the duration of the examination. You will be less likely to feel helpless or to be anxious if you follow a positive plan of action as you take the test.
Listen cautiously to directions
Make a point to listen closely to any test directions that are read aloud. Read through written directions no less than twice previous to starting on a test part to make certain that you do not misunderstand them. If you are puzzled or uncertain of the test directions, ask the teacher or test proctor to make clear them. It is better to search for help to clear up any confusion that you may have than to run the risk of misunderstanding the directions and completing test items wrongly.
Perform a brain dump
Write down on a sheet of scrap paper any facts or essential information that you are afraid that you might forget at the beginning of the test. This brain dump will help you to feel less nervous about forgetting significant things.
Preview the test
Check the sections of the test. Think about the whole amount of time needed to complete the test. Look at the point values that you can earn on every section of the examination. Plan your whole time cleverly so that you waste time on test sections that contribute a small number of points to your score.
Answer Patterns
Do not get unfocused looking for patterns of answers. A number of people say that students can do better on multiple-choice tests if they look for patterns in the answers. For instance, the recommendation is frequently given that, on questions with four probable answers, teachers most often select C as the right response. In rare cases, such patterns may in fact exist but it is never a reliable plan to count on tricks and short cuts to do well on a test. Instead, it is better to study hard and rely on your own knowledge of the subject to do well.
Multiple-choice
On multiple-choice items, force yourself to read every possible choice cautiously previous to choosing an answer. Keep in mind that a number of choices appear correct at first glance but turn out to be wrong when you take a closer look.
When in doubt guess
If the test does not penalize guessing, be certain that you write in a response for every test item, even if you do not know the answer. Leave complicated items until last. After finishing all of the easiest test items, you can go back to any skipped questions and try to answer them.
Use leftover time to check answers
Use the remaining time to check your answers if you finish a test early. On multiple choice items, check to see that you answered all questions. Check every written answer to make certain that it makes sense, uses correct grammar, and completely answers the question.
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