I always do bad on all my math tests yet I do great on projects and homework. Also I like doing research. For exams that have proof based questions I just freeze up under pressure. I just can't do things well in a timed environment. So what are some good strategies for taking math tests?
How should I approach taking math tests?
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soft-question
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3Since this question is asking for a list of things, and admits no single right answer, I've converted it to community wiki. – 2011-07-10
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1You could try getting more used to timed enviroments. Time yourself doing homework and try to get your time down, at least on the questions you'd normally be confident answering. – 2011-07-10
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2Get good sleep and nutrition leading up to the test. Warp your mind into believing you are the cleverest person there (even if you're not), and that you *will* find the trick to each question. When you hit a wall and start to get discouraged, mentally force yourself to "fight hard". If you get stuck and feel your motivation starting to flag, bust out of it by computing special cases, writing down the definitions, or other mindless things that will "hook" your mind on the problem again and provide new ideas. – 2012-04-09
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0I wonder if it should be more common to have math exams with essentially no time limit (or a time limit of 8 hours, say, for an exam designed to be completed in 90 minutes), to help people not be nervous. – 2017-10-11