How to Prepare for an Online University Exam

1. Start with the basics: know the exam format

Before you open a single book or file, make sure you understand what you’re actually sitting. It sounds obvious, but lots of students jump straight into revision without checking the small print.

Find out:

• Is it timed (for example, 90 minutes) or open for a longer window (for example, 24 hours)?

• Is it closed-book or open-book?

• Will it be multiple choice, short answers, essays, case questions, or a mix?

• Do you have to do all questions, or can you choose from a list?

• What platform will you use – Moodle, Blackboard, Canvas, a university portal, or a separate tool?

Most of this information sits in the module handbook, the assessment brief, or on your VLE (virtual learning environment). If anything is unclear, email your lecturer or module leader and ask. A short question now can save a lot of panic later.

When you know the format, you can shape your revision to match it. There’s no point writing pages of notes if the exam will be all multiple choice.

2. Understand how it will be marked

The next thing to look at is the marking criteria. This tells you how marks are awarded and what the examiner wants to see.

Common things markers look for are:

• Have you actually answered the question?

• Have you used the right theory or ideas from the module?

• Have you given examples, not just vague statements?

• Is your answer clear and organised, not just a big block of text?

• For essays: have you explained, not just listed?

Print or save a copy of the marking rubric and keep it next to you when you revise. When you practise answers, check them against the criteria:

• Did I do what the marking grid rewards?

• If not, what would I change?

This small habit makes your revision much more focused.

3. Sort out the tech early

Online exams live or die on basic technology. You don’t want to find out ten minutes before the paper that your browser doesn’t work or your login has expired.

At least a few days before the exam:

• Test your login to the exam platform.

• Make sure your password is up to date.

• Check if you need a specific browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) or any plug-ins.

• Update your computer or laptop if it keeps asking you to restart.

• Check your webcam and microphone if they are required.

• Make sure you know how to upload files if you have to submit a document at the end.

If your Wi-Fi is shaky, think about a backup plan:

• Can you tether to your phone data if the Wi-Fi drops?

• Is there a different room in the house with a better signal?

You don’t need perfect tech, just stable and predictable. The goal is to reduce surprises.

4. Create a simple revision plan (and actually follow it)

You don’t need a colour-coded, minute-by-minute revision timetable. You do need a realistic plan that fits your life.

Start with three questions:

1. How many days do you have before the exam?

2. How many topics or weeks of content does the module cover?

3. How many hours can you honestly study on those days?

Then break it down:

• List the topics in a simple order (Week 1, Week 2, Week 3 etc.).

• Match topics to days.

• Aim to revise, then practise, not just read.

A basic pattern might be:

• First half of the session: revise a topic (read, summarise, check notes).

• Second half: answer one or two practice questions or past paper questions on that topic.

If you only read and highlight, it will feel like you’re working, but you won’t be training your brain for the exam. Practising questions is what locks in learning.

5. Practise under exam-style conditions

Online exams often feel “easier” in your head because you’re at home. In reality, time goes very quickly once the paper opens.

To prepare properly, set up short, timed practice sessions:

• Pick one or two questions from a past paper or your lecture slides.

• Set a timer for the same amount of time you’ll have in the real exam for that question.

• Answer it with no notes (for closed-book) or limited notes (for open-book).

• Stop when the timer ends, even if it hurts.

Afterwards, read your answer with the marking criteria in front of you:

• Did you spend too long on the introduction?

• Did you actually use the theory, or just name it?

• Did you explain your points, or just list them?

Short, sharp practice like this trains your timing and your brain to work under pressure. It also shows you where you keep losing marks, so you can fix it before the real thing.

6. Get your notes exam-ready (especially for open-book exams)

If your exam is open-book, it’s not a free pass. You can still run out of time if your notes are messy and you spend the whole exam looking for things.

Before the exam:

• Keep one main set of notes for the module.

• Use clear headings for each topic.

• Put key formulas, definitions and models on one or two summary pages.

• Use a simple system to mark important parts (for example, “★” for key theory, “Q” for good examples).

If your exam is online and you’re allowed digital notes:

• Save everything in a single folder with clear file names.

• Avoid ten versions of “Lecture 3 final final FINAL.pdf”.

• Use the search function (Ctrl+F) to find key words quickly.

The idea isn’t to have more notes; it’s to have clean, usable notes. In an open-book exam, you don’t have time to read everything again.

7. Set up your exam space

Your environment makes a huge difference. You don’t need a fancy desk, but you do need a space where you can think clearly.

Try to sort out:

• A flat surface for your laptop and notes.

• A chair you can sit on for the full exam without wanting to move every five minutes.

• A plug nearby so your device can stay on charge.

• A quiet room where other people know not to interrupt you.

Before the exam, clear away:

• Extra books or devices you don’t need.

• Open tabs and apps that will distract you (social media, games, streaming).

Put on the desk:

• Your notes (if allowed).

• Student ID (if you might need it).

• A glass or bottle of water.

• Pen and scrap paper for planning, calculations or quick notes.

The goal is to make it boring and comfortable, not exciting and chaotic.

8. Plan your routine on the day

The morning (or hour) before an online exam can make things better or worse. Last-minute cramming rarely helps and often raises your stress.

Instead, try something like this:

• Wake up with enough time so you’re not rushing.

• Eat something light – nothing that will make you sleepy.

• Log in to your laptop early and check your internet.

• Close any apps that send notifications to your screen.

• Have your notes and student number ready.

• Go to the toilet before you start.

Aim to be logged in and ready at least 15–20 minutes before the exam window opens. That way, if something goes wrong (a restart, an update, a password issue), you still have time to fix it.

9. Use a simple strategy during the exam

When the exam starts, it’s easy to panic and dive straight into typing. A small bit of structure helps a lot.

For most exams, this simple approach works:

1. Read the instructions slowly once all the way through.

2. Check how many questions you must answer and how many marks each one carries.

3. Quickly work out how many minutes per mark you have.

4. Start with a question you feel comfortable with to settle your nerves.

5. Before writing a long answer, spend 2–3 minutes making a tiny plan (bullet points are fine).

6. Keep one eye on the time. Move on when you’ve used the time you planned.

If it’s multiple choice:

• Don’t overthink every question.

• Eliminate obviously wrong answers first.

• Mark any doubtful ones and come back at the end if there’s time.

If it’s essay-style:

• Make sure each paragraph answers the question, not just talks about the topic.

• Use short, clear sentences.

• Don’t leave your conclusion for the last 10 seconds – leave a small space of time to round things off.

Always leave the last 3–5 minutes to check that you’ve:

• Attempted all the questions you needed to.

• Uploaded the right file (if you had to upload).

• Clicked “Submit” properly and seen a confirmation, if there is one.

10. Look after yourself as well as your grade

Online exams can feel lonely. There’s no room of people doing the same thing, no invigilator, no trip to the exam hall. It’s just you and the screen.

A few small things can help:

• Sleep: one more hour of sleep is often better than one more hour of reading the night before.

• Breaks: during revision days, take short breaks away from the screen to move, stretch or walk.

• Talk: if you’re stressed, talk to a friend, course mate, or family member. Sometimes just saying “I’m worried about this exam” out loud untangles it a bit.

Remember: you’re not meant to know everything in the module by heart. The aim is to be prepared enough to show what you can do in the time you’re given.

11. After the exam: a quick review (then rest)

Once the exam is over, most people want to shut the laptop and forget it. That’s fair. Still, try to do a short review while it’s fresh:

• What went well?

• Did you run out of time or finish early?

• Were your notes helpful, or did they slow you down?

• What would you do differently for the next online exam?

Write down a few lines for yourself. You don’t need to share them with anyone. This small habit means every exam teaches you something for the next one.

Then, close your notes, step away from the desk, and give your brain a break. You’ve done your part.