1. The day before: set yourself up properly
Think of the day before as “set-up day”. You’re not cramming every single detail; you’re making sure everything around you is calm and under control.
Sort your exam space
Pick one place where you will sit the exam and treat it like a mini exam room.
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Choose a spot with a table or desk, not your bed.
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Clear away spare books, food wrappers and anything that will distract you.
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Tell the people you live with what time your exam starts and finishes, so they don’t walk in shouting or blasting music.
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If you can, use a chair where your back is supported. You don’t want to be wriggling around in pain half-way through.
Check your laptop and internet
You don’t want surprise updates or log-in problems on the day.
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Restart your laptop the day before, so any updates run before the exam.
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Check your charger and plug sockets. Make sure the cable actually reaches the desk.
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Test your Wi-Fi in the exact spot you’ll sit. If it’s weak, move closer to the router or ask others to pause streaming during your exam.
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Log in to your uni portal, VLE or exam platform (Moodle, Blackboard, Canvas, etc.) to make sure your password still works. Many universities also recommend doing a practice upload or mock exam so you know the system.
If you know your tech is shaky, find a backup space (a quiet relative’s house, or campus computer room if allowed) just in case.
2. Get your notes and “exam tools” ready
Online exams can be closed-book, open-book or “seen” exams. Whatever the type, you don’t want to be digging through random files while the clock is ticking.
Tidy your notes
Spend some time turning chaos into something you can actually use:
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Put key topics on one or two summary sheets.
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Highlight formulas, cases, theories or definitions you know will come up.
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Put sticky notes or on-screen bookmarks in the most important sections of your textbook or PDF.
For open-book exams, the aim isn’t “having everything”; it’s being able to find the right thing in seconds.
Prepare your exam “kit”
Even at home, have your basics ready:
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Student ID (if you need to show it on camera).
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A notepad and a couple of working pens.
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A glass or bottle of water.
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Basic snacks that won’t make a mess or lots of noise.
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A simple clock or watch, so you’re not constantly checking your phone.
It sounds obvious, but having these things in front of you stops you getting up and wandering around mid-exam.
3. Know the rules so you don’t lose marks by accident
Many students drop marks because they never properly read the exam email or guidance.
The day before, check:
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The exact start and end time (and the time zone, if you’re abroad).
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How long you have to upload your answers, if there is “extra upload time”.
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What materials you can and cannot use (notes, books, calculator, websites).
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Whether it’s open-book or closed-book.
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Whether you need to type answers into a box, upload a file, or handwrite and scan pages.
A lot of universities also post clear exam guidance pages online about formats, timings and academic integrity; for example, the University of Sheffield has a helpful page on how to prepare for online exams that’s worth a quick look.
If anything is unclear, email your module leader or check your course announcements before exam day.
4. A few hours before: get yourself into “exam mode”
On the day, you want to arrive at your desk feeling steady, not half-asleep and scrambling.
Light revision, not a meltdown
3–4 hours before the exam, focus on calm revision:
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Go through your summary sheets.
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Test yourself on key definitions, formulas or cases.
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Quickly practise one or two short questions, just to wake your brain up.
Avoid trying to learn completely new topics at the last minute. It usually just makes you more anxious.
Eat and rest properly
It’s hard to think clearly if you’re over-caffeinated and haven’t eaten.
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Eat a normal meal 1–2 hours before, nothing too heavy or too sugary.
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Drink some water.
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If you can, step away from your notes for 10–15 minutes and do something small to reset (short walk, stretch, quiet music).
You want to walk to your desk feeling “awake but calm”, not shaking or exhausted.
5. Last 30-40 minutes: final checks before you start
Use the last bit of time to get your practical stuff in order.
Final checklist:
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Laptop plugged in and charging.
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Wi-Fi working and backup hotspot ready (if you have one).
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Browser open on your uni portal / exam platform.
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Notes, summary sheets and allowed materials in reach.
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Water and a snack on the side.
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Phone on silent or in another room (unless you need it for two-step log-in).
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Housemates or family reminded: “My exam is from X to Y, please don’t disturb me.”
Take a couple of slow breaths and remind yourself: you’ve done the set-up, now it’s just one question at a time.
6. During the exam: protect your marks with simple habits
You’re technically “in” the exam now, but the way you behave in the first 10-15 minutes can still save or lose marks.
Read everything slowly at the start
Before you write a single word:
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Read the instructions all the way through.
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Check how many questions you need to answer.
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Check if there is a choice (e.g. “Answer 2 out of 4 questions”).
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Look for any formatting rules (word limits, file type, where to upload).
Students often waste hours answering too many questions or ignoring a key instruction.
Plan your time
Write down a simple timing plan on your notepad. For example, in a 2-hour exam:
Keep an eye on your clock and move on when your time for a question is up, even if it feels uncomfortable. It’s better to have two “good enough” answers than one perfect answer and one half-written one.
Save as you go
If you’re typing in Word or another editor:
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Save your file every few minutes.
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Use a clear file name (e.g. “StudentID_ModuleCode_Exam”).
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If allowed, keep a simple backup (e.g. a copy on a USB or cloud drive).
If you’re typing straight into the exam platform, copy long answers into a local document every so often, just in case your browser crashes.
7. Have a backup plan if something goes wrong
Even if you’ve prepared well, tech can still misbehave. Don’t panic – have a basic plan in mind.
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If your Wi-Fi drops, try your phone hotspot (if you have data).
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Take screenshots or photos with timestamps if you can’t upload or the system freezes.
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Email the exam or registry contact, attaching proof of the issue, as soon as you are able.
Most universities have guidance on what to do if technical problems affect your exam, and often allow some extra time for uploading work at the end.
The main thing is: stay calm, record what’s happened, and follow the instructions you’ve been given.
8. When to ask for extra help
If you’re really struggling to organise revision, manage time, or understand your exam format, it’s better to ask for support early than to wait until the night before.
You can:
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Talk to your module tutor or course leader.
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Check your uni’s study skills or learning support pages.
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Get structured support from a specialist service.
If you want one-to-one guidance that uses your actual module details and exam type, you can also use our online exam help service, where we help you plan, revise and practise in a structured way instead of just guessing.
For general tips straight from universities, it’s also worth reading official advice such as the University of Sheffield’s guide on how to prepare for an online exam, which covers different online exam formats and how to approach them.
