How can I make last-minute improvements to my admissions test performance?

Practice, Practice, Practice

It may sound silly to say, but plenty of applicants focus on 'cramming' information rather than getting solid exam-style practice in the last few weeks before the test. Yes, doing full exam questions might take a little longer than simply reviewing information, but admissions tests are generally all about skills, not knowing facts and figures. This means that no preparation can replace dedicated practice.

Ensure that you're entirely familiar with the format of the test (be sure to check the university and course webpages, since a lot of changes have taken place since last year's admissions test) and have practiced using any mock tests or sample papers you can get your hands on! Additionally, we host a bank of bespoke mock test papers if you need additional materials (access to which is included in the price of our admissions test tuition packages).

Be sure that any mock tests you undertake are done strictly to timed conditions, and ensure that you're either using a computer or writing by hand according to the real test format. It really is worth being as accurate as possible to the real test to ensure that you're not put off by any surprises on the test day itself - you've only got one chance to get it right, so it pays to be prepared!

Identify your Weaknesses

Practice is all well and good, but it's only useful if you're actually working on the areas you really need to. We all know how good it feels to get practice questions right again and again, but if you're simply repeating the questions with which you're more comfortable, then you're not adding much to your performance.

Our tutors recommend going through the past papers you have done, and looking for patterns in the questions that you get wrong. It could be that they share a format, or a topic, or a certain skill in common. Find these areas and then target them in your practice. By all means, go back to do some content revision if there's a certain subject you're struggling with, but if it's technique you need to improve then keep plugging away with the practice questions!

Once you have identified the questions you struggle with, it is also easier to seek help from a teacher or you Oxbridge Applications tutors and mentors. With so little time before the test, it's too time consuming to ask a teacher to mark whole tests and return them in time for you to use them to your advantage. However, if you've isolated the key areas for improvement, you can maximise your time by getting targeted advice quicker.

Manage your Time

Time management is key in any exam, and admissions tests are no different! Make sure you're doing practice papers under accurate timed conditions, and assess whether you're completing the paper too quickly, in just the right time, or too slowly.

If you're not getting the timing quite right, break the test down into its constituent parts (by number of marks, ideally) and allot time to each question accordingly. Take into consideration your own personal speeds at different kinds of questions (within reason, as you don't want to overindulge in taking forever on a single question) and come up with a game plan for the test itself. You don't have to stick rigidly to answering each question in a specific amount of time, but having some guide marks will help you assess how you're getting on for time as the exam progresses.

Another important part of time management is knowing when to give up on a question that's simply taking too long, returning to it later in the test if you have time. If there is a certain question that always seems to take forever, potentially derailing you, consider at which point you're best off leaving it. Don't let a single question derail your entire performance!

Seek Feedback

As we mentioned before, try and seek feedback from a teacher, mentor or tutor where possible, ideally on the targeted areas that you've identified already as weaknesses.

Additionally, if time allows, get at least one full mock test marked by someone else. This is especially useful for essay-based admissions test questions, where it can be difficult to accurately and objectively mark them by yourself.

Getting your work marked by someone else not only gives you an accurate grade, but it can also help you face up to the truths of some areas of weakness that you're hoping to avoid!

Find your Optimal Routine

A good test performance stems not just from your intellectual abilities, but also from your general cognitive and physical health. That's why getting into a good routine, both in the lead up to and on the day of the test, can really pay off when it comes to performance. 

Health and happiness in your performance is not a one-size-fits-all policy, so what we recommend is finding out what works for you and sticking to it. It could involve exercising in the mornings or evenings before studying, eating regularly to keep yourself fuelled and focused, or prioritising early sleep over late-night cramming to really keep you in routine.

Ultimately, whatever keeps you comfortable and happy is well worth implementing as a reliable routine, and sticking to as much as you can on the day of the test itself. This will help sto any nasty surprises, alleviate stress as much as possible, and keep your brain working to the best of its abilities on the big day.