For a lot of you, you have successfully scaled the UTME hurdle, and what’s left now is POST-UTME. So, the question: How can I successfully navigate this hurdle? Do read on for some success nuggets.
1. GET RELEVANT INFORMATION
A lot of candidates have insufficient or poor information about how the exam will play out, they have no clue whatsoever of how many questions they will be asked, what form the examination will be set in; and it is for these reasons that having relevant information is paramount.
You should know beforehand whether you are writing a paper based test or a computer based examination, your information gathering will help you know how much time is allotted to your paper, and will help you while studying to time yourself as you practice questions, giving you an edge over thousands of candidates who only find out about the time allotted for the paper only minutes before the exam commences.
Also, you should check to know the terrain of the school. If possible, travel to the school and ask around. Ensure you have somewhere to stay a day or two before your examination (if out of state). This is important since you need to be well-rested before siting an examination if you hope to give it your best and perform well.
Ask yourself: Did I do well in the UTME because I was at home while preparing for the examination? If your answer is yes, then you should do your utmost to make yourself more at home prior to sitting your POST-UTME
Finally, try to get as much information as you can about your university and department of choice, especially such things as required subject combination and cut-off mark from the previous year; as this could prove the difference between you and other inexperienced candidates, and whether you get an admission to your preferred course of study or not.
2. SET YOUR TARGET
Your background check should tell you what the cut-off mark of your department of choice is, hence your target point. You have to set a target for yourself and determine in your heart that you can achieve it, as you work towards it.
Make sure the only thing that robs you of sleep is how to successfully meet your target score, Study! Study!! Study!!!
Ensure that whatever target you set is above what you scored in UTME, since you will need to do better than your UTME performance to make the merit list of your department.
3. STUDY WITH PAST-QUESTIONS
Dear friend, do not fall into the misguided conception that you can go it alone! It is important to have a clear understanding of the questions you are likely to be asked and the likely areas the questions might come from, and what better way to do that than with questions of previous examinations?
So, do try your best to get relevant past-questions that apply to your school and department, and study with them.
4. READ AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS
What is the point of studying hard for an examination, and blowing it because you failed to read the instructions? There have been cases of students who prepared hard for POST-UTME, but didn’t get to sit the examination simply because they failed to follow really simple instructions!
Try to imagine a case where a candidate was sent out of an examination hall because he was caught using a scientific calculator where the instructions had clearly said only adding machines were allowed, if ever; or another where a female student was sent home from the POST-UTME venue because she was not dressed properly.
The list is endless, hence, it is advisable that you follow every instruction given by your university of choice before, during and after the examination.
Read every question carefully before you attempt to answer, and DO NOT spend too much time on one question. Make sure you read the instructions on the question paper and answer each question accordingly.
All the very best in your quest for higher education.
This article was adapted from nairaland.com
See Also: 3 Ways to Update Your Guessing Strategy on Multiple Choice Exams
