7 Things That Could Go Wrong During SPM
Afterschool Team
February 15, 2021
Exams can sometimes throw some unexpected curveballs, but don’t worry! With a bit of prep and a cool head, you can handle anything. From forgetting your IC to showing up late or feeling totally blank. Check out these handy tips to dodge common mistakes and ace your SPM like a pro!
Double-Check Essentials: Always prepare your IC, exam slip and stationery the night before to avoid last-minute panic.
Stay Calm Under Pressure: If unexpected issues arise, like forgetting a topic or being late, focus on staying calm and working through the situation.
Prioritise Sleep and Health: Avoid all-nighters and take care of your health to prevent brain fog and illness during exams.
Familiarise Yourself with the Venue: Visit the exam centre in advance to avoid confusion or delays on the exam day.
There are some things that are bound to go wrong no matter how much you prepare, especially when you least expect it. When you are caught off guard, and things go wrong when you least expect it, it can cause you a lot of agony and stress, which, as a result, disrupts your focus. Pay attention to these tips so that you can avoid making mistakes.
1. Looking at the exam schedule by mistake
Image via Jinnyboy TV (YouTube)
As ridiculous as it may sound, it happens. Imagine looking at the exam schedule and thinking that it was going to be a Mathematics exam, only to realise it was a History exam the same morning.
Solution: Don’t panic. Although you may not have done your last-minute revision for the exam, stay calm and try to recall as much as you can before you start answering. If you happen to realize the same morning before your exam, you can take several minutes to look through the topics or syllabus so that your mind recalls the information pertaining to the topic.
2. You forget your IC or Exam Slip
You are all prepared for the exam only to find that your IC and exam slip is nowhere to be found. It's too late for any one of your family members to bring it over, as the exam is starting soon. It is highly recommended that you leave your IC and exam slip in your pencil case or school bag so you will never misplace or forget it.
Solution: Inform the teacher who is in charge. You would most probably be given a letter that will allow you to sit for the exam. In case you have lost your SPM slip, you can issue a new slip.
3. You arrive late for the exam
No one wants to arrive late for an exam, especially during important exams like SPM. Oversleeping and waking up to a ray of sunshine on your face during an exam is a nightmare. So, make sure you set alarms and inform your family members to check up on you in case you oversleep. This is especially important if you have the habit of taking a 5-minute shut-eye after you wake up.
Solution: if you ever end up waking up late during SPM, call the school and inform them. You will still be allowed to sit for the exam within the first 30 minutes, presuming that you have a good reason. Nonetheless, you will not be given any replacement time. If you arrive after 30 minutes, you can reschedule to sit for the exam the following year.
4. You can’t find the exam room
You may know your way well around the school. So, this is especially important for those who are sitting for their exam in the examination centre. if you are new to the place and you are looking for the venue a few minutes before your exam, your luck might not just be as good.
Solution: If it is possible, you can go and explore the examination centre a day before your exam and familiarize yourself with the place. Find the venue of your exam and pay attention to how to get there without having to walk for an hour. If you can't go to the centre prior to the exam day, make sure that you arrive really early the same morning of your exam so you can locate the venue by asking around.
5. Your pen runs out of ink halfway through the exam
Image via Jinnyboy TV (YouTube)
You buy a new gel pen, you start writing your essays and the next thing you know, your pen runs out of ink. You start to write using a pencil, and you fear that the examiner might penalize you. On some occasions, writing using a pencil is not encouraged or allowed as it smears and becomes unreadable.
Solution: Make sure that you have more than one pen. Bring in a stack of pens to be safe.
6. You suffer a total brain blank
There is a reason why everyone tells you not to pull an all-nighter, even on regular days. You should NEVER pull an all-nighter the night before your exam. There are many cases in which students suffer a total brain blank when they could have performed well. Pulling an all-nighter not only reduces your alertness but it turns you into a walking zombie.
Solution: There is no real solution if your brain goes blank. You can try to stay calm and take deep breaths for a few minutes. If you are lucky, all the information will come flooding again. To avoid this from happening, make sure you get enough sleep and avoid any last-minute intense revision that could add to your pressure and anxiety.
7. You fall sick
Nose bleed, sore throat, flu, pounding head. These are all common sicknesses associated with high levels of stress and lack of sleep, which most students tend to experience during the exam season. if you think you might be falling sick while you are writing your exam, inform the invigilator. They should be able to advise you based on whether or not you will be able to proceed with the exam.
Solution: In case of sore throat or slight fever, and you think that you will still be able to sit for the exam, bring some lozenges, peppermint drops or Panadol. If you are too sick and can't attend the exam, you might be allowed to sit for the exam in the hospital or retake it the following year.
In conclusion, most of these things happen from insufficient or incorrect preparation. In order to avoid making mistakes that will lead you to difficult situations, prepare your essentials (stationery, IC, exam slip) prior to your exam and take care of your health during this stressful period. Also, don’t forget to give your brain a break from all the last-minute studying.
Struggling with your SPM preparations?
The team at Afterschool has gathered well-trained teachers from across the education sector with more than 20 years of experience to come up with SPM spot questions so that students like you can benefit. We've put it all together and compiled a book that consists of 10 core subjects so you don’t have to scour the library for 10 different books to practise on. And the best part is, it’s completely FREE! No strings attached. Just download your copy of the SPM 2021 February Spot Questions including questions and answers by clicking right here!
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