Scholarship exams are one of the greatest fear that affects so many students.
For most students, the thought of taking scholarship exams can be terrifying.
The pressure of knowing that your test score could mean the difference between getting into your dream school and not can be stressful and intimidating.
However, if you prepare correctly, there’s no reason why you can’t ace your scholarship exams and win the money you need to pay for college next year!
To get you started on how to ace your scholarship exams, here are some tips from some of the best minds in higher education.
1/ Take Practice Tests
One of your first steps in preparing for any type of standardized test is to take a practice test.
This gives you an idea of how long it will take you to complete each section, what types of questions you can expect, and whether or not you should focus on specific subjects or areas.
From there, you can tailor your study time based on what parts are giving you trouble.
Make sure you have plenty of time set aside on exam day, as well as several days leading up to make sure that your mind doesn’t burn out.
It’s also important that during your practice tests that if you don’t know a question-answer, try it anyway; working through answers will help keep them fresh in your mind when it comes time for real-deal testing.
Don’t forget to track your progress! As you work through your studies, be sure to note which areas you feel strong in and which ones need more attention.
Knowing where your strengths lie is important because even though one test may emphasize certain topics over others, it never hurts to cover all of your bases.
Keeping track of where you need extra work can save valuable study time later on down the road!
2/ Review Key Points
Make sure you’re well-informed on what you’ll be tested on, like the requirements of each scholarship.
Many schools have online systems that update students on everything they need to know, but if your school doesn’t, call a representative from your school and ask questions.
Make sure you know when exams are taking place—it may be helpful to take an exam in class so you can practice with similar style questions under supervision from a teacher.
Also, it’s usually best to study by yourself. In a group setting, everyone will have different strengths and weaknesses.
Studying alone allows you to focus more time on topics where you’re struggling.
And while it might seem intimidating at first, most scholarship exams aren’t as difficult as people think! Check out these tips for some last-minute preparation.
3/ Write Down Study Questions Before Class
First things first, you should know that your exams aren’t typically based on what happened in class.
What matters most is how well you can recall class material from memory.
Study with friends, but when studying individually, it might be a good idea to jot down questions about what you’re learning before each class session.
This way, during exam time, if your professor says something that doesn’t quite make sense or that’s new information, you have a list of questions you can ask him or her after class.
Make sure to take notes while taking notes! That way, you won’t forget anything important.
And don’t forget: It’s not just memorizing facts; understanding concepts will help you do better on your tests as well.
If certain topics seem confusing or unclear, talk with your teacher before going into an exam so he or she can clear up any confusion and help ensure you’re getting all of the points covered.
4/ Create a Study Group
Going into a test cold is often intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be.
If you’re preparing for a scholarship exam, getting together with other students who are also preparing can help alleviate some of that pressure.
Not only will you feel more comfortable asking questions in an environment where everyone is going through something similar, but your friends may also already know the answers or know how to study best.
Find classmates who have taken—or are about to take—the same tests as you and get started! (If you don’t know anyone else studying for these exams, check out Study Group Finder).
Don’t just rely on studying from books: When preparing for any kind of scholarship exam, it’s important to remember that books aren’t everything.
Having real-life examples helps you understand concepts much better than reading about them does, so consider signing up for online courses or auditing classes at your local college if they’re available.
It’ll give you hands-on experience and show you what you need to learn more about before sitting down for an exam. Finally, if you haven’t done so already, read over your school’s recommended materials list.
5/ Get Enough Sleep
This is super-important. Preparing for these exams can be difficult, so you’ll want to be at your most mentally alert (and well-rested) during exam day.
Don’t drink caffeine over 200 milligrams (2 cups of coffee). Don’t stay up all night watching Netflix movies; instead, get a full 8 hours of sleep each night before your test day arrives.
Know What You’re Getting Into: These tests are not easy—they require careful preparation and discipline.
If you don’t know what you’re getting into, it might be best to wait until next year or apply for more scholarships that don’t require an entrance exam.
It will take time and effort on your part, but there are scholarships out there that don’t require testing. And if you want to win big money, then make sure you’re prepared!
6/ Bring a Watch
Without a watch, you have no idea how much time you’ve spent on your first essay question.
Most scholarships will give you an hour or two to answer their short-answer essay questions, but knowing when your time has run out is crucial.
If you end up going over by a few minutes, some judges won’t mind—but being late is always a bad idea, especially if it happens consistently.
If they see that you’re habitually running late (even if it’s only by a few minutes), they’ll probably think of you as an undisciplined test-taker and knock off points accordingly.
Because nothing can kill your scholarship chances faster than poorly thought-out answers or a lackluster approach to time management!
7/ Don’t Forget Your Calculator
Calculators are allowed on nearly all standardized tests, which makes having one with you at exam time crucial.
Be sure to practice using your calculator before taking any test. Know how to access its functions, what button-presses perform each function, and how to use it in a series of calculations.
It’s a good idea to bring along an extra battery or two as well, just in case. Calculators typically have a clock feature, so be sure you know how that works ahead of time so you can stay on schedule when you take your test.
Don’t Over-Study: While studying is important, don’t let it consume your life.
Study only enough to feel comfortable with material but not so much that you lose sight of other things—like schoolwork, sleep, and other obligations.
If you find yourself over-studying (and not getting enough sleep), consider taking a day off from studying and give yourself some space to recharge mentally.
When preparing for exams, try breaking up study sessions into shorter periods throughout the day rather than cramming all your studying into one session right before bedtime.
Doing so will help prevent burnout while also allowing you time to eat healthy meals and get plenty of rest between study sessions. Staying healthy while preparing for exams is key!
8/ Eat Breakfast on Test Day
It might seem counterintuitive, but eating breakfast (or even a snack) before your exam can help you perform better.
Stash some protein bars or nuts in your bag to ward off hunger and boost brainpower.
A study from Belgium’s Ghent University found that not only do breakfasts improve performance on cognitive tests, but they also reduce anxiety levels.
It’s important not to eat anything too heavy, however—you don’t want that hard-earned degree going down with a stomachache! As always, make sure to read nutrition labels and avoid foods high in sugar.
9/ Don’t Panic!
Many of your fellow students will have no trouble with scholarship exams; if you’re not one of them, it’s easy to panic.
Don’t. It is possible to learn how to ace scholarship exams with proper studying techniques and healthy test anxiety-busting habits.
Though it takes some practice, honing these skills can help you score high on your exams without worrying about your performance.
The best way to start is by learning what a scholarship exam looks like so that you know what to expect come test day.
While every scholarship exam is different, they generally include questions about broad concepts in history or social studies; questions about broad concepts in science or math.
Essay questions that are often prompted from prior years (or current); multiple-choice/true/false/short answer.
Keep these general guidelines in mind as you prepare for your exams!
10/ Go With What Works For You
The best way to prepare for a scholarship exam is probably very different from what you think.
For many, it’s going to involve lots of hard work, studying, and maybe even a little stress.
If that sounds like your approach, then by all means take that route.
But if you’re someone who prefers thinking on their feet (and in new ways), it might be time to try something different.
Here are some tips that could help you get ready—while still being authentic to who you are as a person -Think outside of the box.
Many scholarships have strict guidelines when it comes to preparing for an exam.
To stand out, you need to make sure that you’re doing things differently than everyone else!
Use words in unusual combinations; find commonalities between seemingly unrelated topics; come up with analogies or metaphors.
In other words, use your unique perspective and point of view to tackle questions from unexpected angles.
This can often give you insights into topics or ideas that others may not have considered before!
11/ Practice real-world scenarios:
- Make sure that your practice tests mimic real-life situations as much as possible when applying for scholarships.
