This week is OR exam week.
And if you are sitting an exam over the next few days, you are probably feeling a mix of things. A bit of pressure, maybe some nerves, and hopefully also a sense that you are ready to give it a good go.
Firstly, good luck.
If you have been putting in the work over the last few weeks or months, trust that. It is very easy at this stage to focus on what you do not know, rather than what you do, but you will know far more than you think you do.
A few quick reminders going into your exam.
Make sure you read the question properly. This sounds obvious, but under time pressure it is very easy to skim and jump to an answer that looks familiar rather than the one that actually answers what is being asked.
Watch out for wording such as MOST, LEAST, NOT or BEST. These small words can completely change the meaning of the question, and they are often where marks are lost.
Do not rush. OR exams can feel fast paced, but you do have enough time if you stay calm and focused. If a question does not make sense straight away, flag it and move on, then come back to it at the end.
Be careful of overthinking. Your first instinct is often the right one, particularly if you have prepared well. Changing answers repeatedly can sometimes do more harm than good.
Use a process of elimination. Even if you are unsure of the correct answer, you can often remove one or two options that are clearly incorrect, which gives you a much better chance of selecting the right one.
And finally, make sure you get some rest before your exam. A clear head will help you far more than trying to cram in more content at the last minute.
At this point, it is about applying what you already know. Go in, stay calm, read carefully, and trust your preparation.
Good luck, you have got this.