Hello everyone,

An increasing number of examinations are now shifting from the pen-and-paper mode to the online mode. Conducting these tests online is beneficial in many ways – it reduces the time and effort put into conducting the exam, provides security of data, logistical ease, and is environment friendly with limited use of paper. However, many candidates who participate in such exams feel that this is a significant diversion from the traditional path of the written exam and are faced with anxiety because of the shift to online exam.

So in this article, we will try to break your fears and myths and prepare you for an online exam in a confident manner.

1) Start taking online tests – One of the major reason for your fear is that you are used to giving pen and paper based tests and not online ones. It is completely understandable that there is some comfort in the familiar, but even in CBT you are provided with rough paper to do all your calculations. So, you can always do your calculation and algorithms on paper – the way you have practiced – and then quickly mark the answers on computer. One of the advantages is that you will never mark the answer against a wrong question which happens while you are filling OMRs. You will also not have to worry about the colour of the ink and the tedious job of properly filling in the bubbles on the paper.

To boost your confidence, try taking tests online. Instead of worrying about a computer test, you can start familiarising yourself with it. Read instructions that would be provided on the website about how the exam is conducted and understand the instructions on how to mark and save answers.

2) Read the instructions carefully – When you sit for the paper, you will have some time before questions appear allotted separately to fill in details (like your name and roll number) and read through certain instructions. Don’t be in a haste to get started with the exam. The instructions provided will guide you through the exam and tell you what you can and cannot do.

If you skip reading through the instructions, you may miss some important details. Get yourself familiarized with the instructions in exam centre. Do not be afraid to ask the invigilator if you have any doubts about the instructions.

3) Don’t panic in case of technical problems – do not worry much about it – the organisers have already thought it through and have made the appropriate arrangements for you. An intense amount of testing is  done before the exam to make sure you don’t face any glitch during the exam. Sufficient buffer computers are always provided at the centers.

But, in an event of a technical failure, do not panic. Call the invigilators and let them know about the issue immediately. Do not worry thinking about the time being lost during the switch.. the test will begin exactly from where you left it and you will get the same amount of time as others to finish it. Everybody understands that such situations can happen, and invigilators will definitely find a solution out for you!

4) Online exams are of same level as offline exams – a very prevalent myth among students is that online exams have tougher questions. But this is not true – the questions appearing in online and offline exams are of same level – all the organisers have confirmed this. In fact, many students who took online exam also confirm this – added to the positive feedback regarding the benefits like being able to answer questions with just a click, being able to unmark incorrectly attempted questions, mark the questions for later review, etc.

All the best!