Are you nervous about exams or unsure how to approach your exam preparation? The Student Counselling Service has gathered some useful exam tips that can help you prepare and manage your nerves.
Exam formats and learning objectives
We have many different types of exams at DTU. You can see which exam format your course uses in the course description at kurser.dtu.dk.
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the exam format before you begin preparing for the exam. For example, there is a difference between how you should prepare for an oral exam and a written exam.
Are you unsure what the exam format means? Start by looking at the descriptions of exam formats on student.dtu.dk. If you are still unsure, ask the course coordinator.
When taking an exam, it is very important that you know exactly which aids you are allowed to bring.
If you are not clear about the permitted aids, you risk:
having wasted your preparation time
being denied entry to the exam or accused of cheating
It would be unfortunate to prepare for an exam assuming that all aids are allowed, only to discover that the exam is without aids. And being reported for exam cheating can have serious consequences.
You can see which aids are permitted in the course descriptions at kurser.dtu.dk.
All courses have a set of learning objectives that describe what you are expected to know for the exam. The instructors assess your performance based on how well you demonstrate the course learning objectives. That means that you can use the learning objectives as a checklist for your exam preparation:
Go through the learning objectives for each course you will be examined in.
Ask yourself: “Do I understand this learning objective well enough to answer questions about it during the exam?”
If your answer is “yes,” you can focus your preparation on the other learning objectives.
If your answer is “no,” this is the time to review your notes, rewatch lectures, etc., to prepare for the exam.
You can find the learning objectives on the right-hand side of the course descriptions at kurser.dtu.dk.
If you do not understand the course learning objectives or are unsure what is expected, ask your course coordinator.
Techniques and tools for your exam preparation
When making a plan for your exam preparation, start by considering:
Where do you usually get the most out of studying? Is it at home? On campus? At the library? In a café?
What time of day do you work most effectively? Is it in the morning? During the day? In the evening?
How do you work most effectively? Alone? Or together with others?
Everyone’s “prime time” is different, and you can save both time and energy during your exam preparation by planning around the times and methods that work best for you.
Once you have made a plan, write it into your calendar so that you commit to it more fully. Remember to make time for social activities, sports, and other hobbies, even during the exam period.
Make sure you have control over your notes and all course material for the exam so you can quickly find what you need. For example, you can:
Organize your notes by topic, learning objectives, or teaching weeks so they are not just stored randomly.
Create a table of contents for your notes so you can quickly locate the topic you are looking for.
Collect all your notes and teaching materials into a single document so you can use the search function to review specific topics.
Structure your notes in a table with three rows and divide them into “term” (row 1), “definition” (row 2), and “example” (row 3).
Remember to pay attention to your instructor’s specifications regarding what types of notes and how many you are allowed to bring to the exam.
Also, be aware of plagiarism rules when bringing shared or borrowed notes to the exam. You can find descriptions of exam cheating and how to avoid it on student.dtu.dk. If you are in doubt, ask your course coordinator.
Tip: If you do not have time to review everything, focus especially on the topics covered in lectures and those shown on the lecture slides. These are typically the topics your instructor considers most important.
The use of formulas can vary from course to course. Make sure you include all formulas in your notes—preferably also the intermediate steps or derivations, so you can explain how you arrived at a specific result during the exam.
It is one thing to memorize formulas, but it is also important that you understand the concepts, relationships, and assumptions that underlie them. For example, practice identifying:
which assumptions the formula is based on
what types of systems or situations it applies to
when it should be used
In this way, you can use formulas as a tool rather than a fixed answer key. That will prepare you well for the exam.
Going through old exam papers is probably the most commonly used method of exam preparation at DTU. When you practice with past exams, you get a concrete sense of what you might be asked in the exam. That can help make you more comfortable with the exam format and strengthen your understanding of the subject.
Tip: Try setting up a simulated exam situation for yourself:
Go to a place like the library, where other students are working quietly
Put your phone and other distractions away
Set a timer to match the duration of the actual exam
See how far you get on the old exam papers within the given time
In this way, you are not only testing the format, but also how much you can realistically complete within the allotted time. The more often you practice the exam situation, the faster you will become at handling exam questions and managing your time during the actual exam.
Create physical or digital flashcards that can function as a memory game for you. If you search for “flashcards,” you will quickly find digital tools you can use.
Memory games and flashcards help you remember topics more effectively, because active recall is more efficient for memory than passive reading.
How to play:
Write an exam question or topic on the front of a card and the answer on the back
Draw a card, say the answer out loud, and then flip it to check if you were correct
Repeat the process until you remember the answers
Instead of full answers, you can also write key terms or formulas on the back of the cards—whatever makes the most sense for your exam.
Tip: Memory games are more fun when done with others, for example, with some of your fellow students.
Working with a fellow student or a study group during exam preparation can be a great advantage:
You get practice in explaining academic material in your own words. That strengthens your understanding, memory, and communication skills.
You gain new perspectives and additional sets of eyes on the material, which can help you discover points or connections you might have missed.
You can compare and share notes, helping to clarify misunderstandings and improve your overall overview of the subject.
Collaboration can help you plan study time and breaks, making your exam preparation more structured—and more enjoyable.
PF organizes exam cafés each semester, especially for large courses. Check PF’s Facebook page before the exam period to see if there is an exam café for your course.
Good advice for preparing for an oral exam
A speaking outline can function as a personal script that describes the parts you want to cover in your oral presentation, or the answers you would give if you are asked questions about a specific topic.
You do not need to use the sheet during the exam (and if it is an exam without aids, you are not allowed to bring it at all). However, it can help give you a sense of calm and structure if you have already planned and practiced the different exam topics and considered what you would say if asked about them.
Note: You should avoid reading directly from your outline—it should only be used as a support tool.
Practice delivering your presentation (for example, using a speaking outline) as part of your preparation for the oral exam. Test whether you have enough time to go through your key points.
Example:
Use a clock or the stopwatch on your phone when you practice, and start timing as if it were a real exam
Go through your material and check whether you can cover your most important points within the allotted time
Adjust and prioritize the essential content over details so you can manage your time calmly during the exam
Tip: Try recording yourself on your phone while practicing your presentation. That can help you remember good phrases you come up with—or notice how often you say things like “um,” so you can try to reduce them for the actual exam.
When you say your key points out loud, you train your formulation, structure, and pace. That makes it easier to communicate freely and calmly in the exam situation. It also helps you remember your points better once you have practiced saying them aloud.
Tip:
Arrange with one or more fellow students to hold a “simulated exam,” where you take turns examining each other:
You gain experience in explaining yourself under pressure, and can observe how others approach the exam situation and questions.
It makes the situation more familiar when you sit in front of the examiner and the external examiner in the real exam.
Good advice for the exam day itself
Get a good night’s sleep
You probably already know this, but it’s worth repeating: sleep is crucial for your performance. A well-rested brain helps you think more clearly, remember better, and stay calmer under pressure.
Leave home in good time
A good rule of thumb is to plan to arrive at the exam location at least 20–30 minutes before the exam starts. If you are using public transport, make sure to allow extra time.
Once the exam has started, you will not be allowed to enter, and you will have used one exam attempt.
Keep your blood sugar stable
Eat something before the exam to maintain stable blood sugar levels. Bring snacks (that do not make noise) if you have a long written exam.
Take care of yourself during the exam period
Many students feel nervous before an exam. That is completely normal. Even experienced teachers and professionals who regularly perform under pressure experience nervousness. Experience does not eliminate nervousness, but it makes it easier to manage.
Nervousness occurs because the exam is important to you and you want to do well. In moderate amounts, nervousness can actually be helpful, as it sharpens your focus. That is due to an increased level of adrenaline in your body, which occurs when you need to perform.Nervousness is typically short-term and situation-specific, meaning it often disappears once you are sitting in the exam—or when the exam is over. Nervousness only becomes a problem if it interferes with your concentration, your preparation, or your performance during the exam.
Symptoms of exam anxiety can include:
Butterflies in the stomach
Sweaty palms
Flushed or warm cheeks
Increased urge to urinate
Temporary high pulse and heart palpitations
Nervousness and anxiety are related and stem from the body’s alarm system. Anxiety is a natural reaction to danger and can occur when the alarm system is activated too strongly or for too long—even when there is no real danger, such as during an exam. In such cases, anxiety can prevent you from thinking clearly, preparing properly, or performing well in the exam.
In other words, anxiety can get in the way of your exam, whereas nervousness can actually help you.
Symptoms of exam anxiety can include:
Sleep problems
Stomach pain
Persistent high pulse and heart palpitations
Vomiting
Negative racing thoughts
Feelings of panic or experiencing a “blackout”
Often, it is not the exam itself, but the thoughts about it that intensify exam anxiety. Certain thinking patterns can make anxiety worse. These can include:
Perfectionism
“I must not fail or get a grade below 10 or 12.”
All-or-nothing thinking
“If I fail, I’m not good enough to study at DTU.”
Linking performance and self-worth
“If I don’t manage this, I’m worthless.”
Catastrophic thinking
“I will never manage this” or “They will definitely ask about the one thing I don’t know.”
Becoming aware of these kinds of thoughts is an important first step in working with exam anxiety. The better you recognize them, the less power they have over you.
5 strategies for managing exam nervousness
Create structure and take care of your body
Lack of overview increases nervousness. Early on, create an overview of your exam date, format, and requirements, and make a realistic plan for your exam preparation, including breaks and time off. Prioritize sleep and regular meals, as fatigue and hunger intensify the body’s stress response. Structure and physical well-being help you feel calmer during the exam period.
Regulate your breathing
Breathe slowly and calmly—preferably in through the nose and slowly out through the mouth. That calms the nervous system and helps the body relax. When the body settles, the brain is better able to think clearly before and during the exam.
Practice the exam situation concretely
Practice the exam itself so your body becomes familiar with the situation. If you are very nervous, it can help to visit the exam room beforehand and see it before the exam day. Knowing where you will be and what the room looks like can reduce anxiety.
Become aware of your thoughts and reactions—and work actively with them
Notice the thoughts and physical reactions that trigger nervousness. When you recognize patterns such as self-criticism, perfectionism, or catastrophic thinking, you can respond earlier.
Example: You are working on an exam task and see other students leave the room. That may trigger the thought: “They are done—I’m falling behind!” But they may have submitted incomplete work or decided they had nothing more to add. You also don’t know whether they will pass. The situation says nothing about you, so try to refocus on your own exam.
Acknowledge nervousness instead of fighting it
Try to see nervousness as helpful adrenaline that prepares you to perform—not as a sign of danger. When you accept the reaction instead of fighting it, the additional anxiety decreases, and nervousness becomes easier to manage.
Example: If you feel nervousness taking over during the exam, you can say it out loud to the examiner, for example: “I’ve just become very nervous and need a moment.” Take a few deep breaths, drink some water, and give yourself a minute to calm down. There is enough time, and it is completely acceptable to take a short break before continuing.
More advice for exams
If you want more guidance on how to handle exams and anxiety, you can also find help at:
If you experience severe exam anxiety that cannot be reduced using the advice provided here, it is a good idea to seek professional help from your doctor.
You can also receive free psychological counselling through Student Counselling Service. Read more on their website: https://srg.dk/book/.