Experts draw attention to the fact that students' anxiety levels increase as the exam day approaches. Education Specialist Ertuğrul Tut, reminding of some erroneous behaviors that can be made before and during the exam, states that the mind should be cleared and relaxed a bit the day before the exam. Emphasizing that the first 5 minutes of the exam is a time frame where anxiety levels peak and the error rate is high, Tut warns that this period, where mental blindness can occur, must be managed very well. Tut offers tactical and exercise recommendations.
Education Specialist Ertuğrul Tut, Manager of Educational Institutions and Guidance Services at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, made statements regarding what should be paid attention to the day before YKS and during the exam.
Activities that won't physically tire but will occupy the mind should be done
Education Specialist Ertuğrul Tut, stating that anxiety levels begin to increase as the exam day approaches, said, “With an excessive increase in anxiety, situations of faulty or incorrect management of the process can arise.”
Emphasizing the need to change some incorrect behaviors that can be done the day before and during the exam, Tut advised, “The day before the exam, it's time to clear the mind and relax a bit. Activities that won't physically tire you but will also keep your mind occupied are the best for the body. Spending time with family and not talking too much about the exam can help reduce your anxiety level.”
Consuming heavy foods on and before the exam day can negatively affect performance
Tut warned against consuming foods that will tire the body during breakfast the day before and on the morning of the exam, saying, “You can take the exam with a light breakfast on exam morning. Heavy meals eaten the day before and a heavy breakfast on exam day will negatively affect exam performance.”
Your anxiety level might increase, you might lose sleep!
Tut added that bedtime and wake-up times in the period leading up to the exam should be programmed according to the exam day, saying, “It is very important to accustom your body to the appropriate times. The day before the exam, with the rise in your anxiety level, you might lose sleep. You need to pay attention to this situation and reduce your anxiety level to an average level. Remember that you have been preparing for this exam for a long time. Whatever the result, what truly matters is your happiness and healthy being. Just as many things in life can be compensated for, this exam also has a retake.”
The most important tactic is not to break the strategy
Education Specialist Ertuğrul Tut, stating that the most important tactic to be applied during the exam is not to break the strategy used so far, warned, “Do not change the strategy you have applied in practice exams so far. You should not take risks by saying, 'Let me try the order of solving subjects this way this time.' There will naturally be questions you cannot do or get stuck on. It is important that we know you can return to these questions later if time permits, by circling them, without wasting too much time on them.”
You may experience mental blindness, a 30-second break is needed
Tut noted that the first 5 minutes of the exam is a time frame where anxiety levels peak, and advised, “The first 5 minutes are very important; your error rate will be high. If there's time, it's beneficial to review the questions you solved within the first 5 minutes. Sometimes you might experience mental blindness. The moment you feel this, it will be good to sit upright, inflate your diaphragm, take a deep breath, and take a 30-second break. You should never lose control of time. It is very important for planning. To avoid panic, you need to use time management well.”
Controlled anxiety provides positive motivation
Education Specialist Ertuğrul Tut, emphasizing the need to focus on subjects that will bring more points as a coefficient in the Basic Proficiency Test, concluded his words as follows:
“Drinking too much water during the exam can lead to a need for the restroom due to stress, so it's beneficial to be cautious. It should not be forgotten that an appropriate and moderate level of anxiety will return to you as positive motivation. However, low and high anxiety levels are the biggest obstacles to your success. I wish all students success in this process.”