E-assessments Tips and Tricks
By: Anna S., Grade 10
As MYP students start to prepare for the e-assessments, the stress levels are through the roof! The idea of taking an online exam that covers the last few years of the MYP program can be overwhelming. To ease some of the nerves, I have interviewed a few Grade 11 students that took the e-assessments last year, to get their input on the best studying hacks, time management tips, and stuff they wish someone could have told them before taking the exam. Their insights could help you feel less stressed before the exam and make a huge difference on how or what you are studying in preparation for the upcoming tests.
I spoke to multiple grade 11 students, but the responses from Joseph L. and Yul L. stood out to me for having the best “hacks” for the e-assessment, as a current 10th grader, about to take the exams. I first asked them the question, “What is your best studying hack before taking the e-assessment and do you think studying a lot is necessary?”, and to the question Joseph emphasized that “a lot of studying isn’t fully necessary” and instead he found that “practice tests were the most useful form of studying” before taking the exam. Rather than stressing about memorizing all the content, he found that focusing on “understanding the format and types of questions” was most important. Yul agreed with Joseph, recommending that current grade 10 students “ go through past e-assessments as much as possible” being an effective way to prepare.
Next, I asked both of them, “How did you manage your time while studying?”, as it is an important question to ask before the exam. Josephs approach to time management was very straightforward saying he would “ block out a session to complete a practice test” which usually took 1-2 hours. He said this helped him get used to the time of the real exam. Yul said something very similar, and also added that “putting your phone away eliminates distraction” as a hack to manage your time better and get the most work done while studying.
The last question I asked the students were, “What is one thing about the e-assessment that you wish someone had told you before taking it?”. Joseph’s and Yul’s answers were very common, saying that they wish someone told them that “the e-assessments aren’t as scary as it seems” and that when you are in the exam room is “very manageable” if you are prepared and listened throughout the school year.
Overall, the best e-assessment advice comes from those who have already done the test. Joseph and Yul both emphasized that practice tests are key and help you become conferrable with the format and types of questions you will see. Most importantly, don’t overthink the test and the students with the best mindset before the test will do better! With these tips in mind, you will be on your way to success.
