Five Tips for Taking An Online Exam

Five Tips for Taking An Online Exam

Like so many other things these days, law school exams are moving online. While we’re sure most law students won’t miss the ambiance of in-person exams (aka the sounds of students frantically typing), online exams present their own set of challenges. To help you make the most of the situation, we’ve put together this list of 5 tips for taking an online exam.

Five Tips for Taking An Online Exam

1. Set Up Your Space

The best place to take your online exams may or may not be the same area you use to take classes and study. For example, if you do most of your studying near a window, you may want to turn and face the wall during your exam. If you have roommates, your options may be more limited. However, you might consider creative solutions, like creating a testing space using your closet!

2. Prepare in Advance

When exams were in person, many law students brought water, coffee, and maybe even a small snack. Now that exams are at home, chances are you may want those same things. Even though you’ll probably be mere feet from your kitchen while taking your exams, don’t assume you’ll have time to brew coffee or prepare a snack. Instead, get anything you might need ready beforehand, and have it within arms reach while taking online exams.

3. Maintain a Routine

With class, study, and exams taking place at home, it can be tempting to let your routine lapse. Don’t! Make it a point to stick to a routine in the weeks leading up to your final. Get used to going to bed around the same time and waking up at the same time each day. This can help prime your brain to be ready to perform when it’s time to take your exam.

4. Limit Distractions

Most law school exams not only test your knowledge of the material, but also test your ability to respond under pressure. Depending on the length of the exam, you may only have a few hours to read the fact pattern, respond, proofread, and submit your response. To maximize your time, limit as many distractions as you can beforehand. If you have roommates, ask them to be considerate during your exam. If you have a dog, ask a friend to look after it for a few hours.

5. If Possible, Try a Test Run Beforehand

Well before your exam, familiarize yourself with your school’s system for online exams. Is there a particular software you should use? Do you need to submit your response in a specific format? Instead of trying to figure all of this out on test day, try a practice run in the days leading up to your exam. That way, you can troubleshoot any issues without worrying about it eating up your time limit.

No matter whether they’re online or in-person, law school exams are stressful. Follow these tips for taking online exams to put yourself in a position to ace your finals! Check out these additional tips for law students studying at home or graduates studying for the bar exam!

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