5 Mental Strategies To Ace Your Exams Like A Champion

October 26, 2015


By: Anna Agoncillo
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Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)
If you are reading this, chances are you have had your share of exam anxiety. Do not fret, it happens to everyone!

Fortunately, you can manage your anxiety and stress to fuel your performance through the use of efficient Mental Strategies. These 5 Mental Strategies will help you boost your Mental Toughness and later on lead you to perform better:

1. IGNITE THE INTENTION TO SUCCEED

To build awareness of what needs to happen and to stay on track of your task, you must set your "study goals" first. Goal setting involves two things namely: (a.) identifying your goals and (b.) knowing the essential resources.

It is not enough to say that you want to study more; you must make your goals S.M.A.R.T. A S.M.A.R.T. goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-Based (e.g., 4 hours of study time daily). Furthermore, you shall prepare a study place that is conducive for learning.

2. TAKE ACTION

Once your goals are clearly set, you must confidently take your first attempt. It might be too much to drastically start with 4 hours of study time a day, so start with at least 45 minutes daily. Give continued  effort to the task as effort is power.

You can also analyze the factors that hinder you from studying, such as distractions from external noises or too much texting. Then, add another goal that is fit to counteract these distractions such turning your hand-phone off for 2 hours.
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Simultaneously, you must think of a well-deserved reward for successfully studying during the allotted amount of time. You may indulge in a plate of cake or have a sleepover with your friends. Keep the reward scheme consistent at each time you achieved a goal!

3. QUIZ YOURSELF

Mentally rehearse the event concentration. See yourself completing the exam in your head to help you focus better on the important aspects of your performance.

Quiz yourself to prepare for the real deal! Studies have shown that quizzing yourself will not only increase your retention but also transfer knowledge in a variety of contexts.

4. HAVE A PRE-EXAMINATION ROUTINE

Develop a pre-examination routine to aid your normal conscious state to smoothly enter your performance state. This routine shall consist of a series of steps to help you to relax and get ready before the exam. It shall last for a minimum of 10 minutes and a maximum time of 30 minutes. With consistency, this routine and your emotional state will eventually sync. 

5. LET THINGS HAPPEN

You can only perform well when your mind is paying full attention to the task at hand. So, if your thoughts are clouded by the fear of future failure then, worse things can happen. In fact, studies of elite athletes showed that irrelevant thoughts and worries can cause concentration lapses with consequences such as missed opportunities, anxiety or worry, and making more mistakes.

Combat this by ignoring the future and increasing your courage. 

As Edgar Tham, Sports and Performance Psychologist and Founder of SportPsych Consulting, once said:

“Let go of all things past and future. Be here in the present. Cherish it.”


Courage is the willingness to bear the fear and other emotions but still doing what needs to be done. Spark your inner courage with awareness. Keep in mind that you do need to be anxious about the exam ahead because you are well-prepared and confident with your own abilities.
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Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)
Know more about maximizing your Mental Toughness to improve your performance in Sports and life by visiting SportPsychConsulting.com or by liking them on Facebook at fb.com/sportpsych.consulting

Sources:  1, 2,3, 4, & 5


Enjoy the previous posts: 70 Minutes of Homework A Day Is Enough, Why Do Mistresses Exist?

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