Dealing with a bad test result

It happens to all of us. We just didn’t manage to revise for that one test, or we really didn’t understand that topic or we were just having a bad day. Sometimes our test results can be a bit…disappointing. But like pretty much all things in life, you cannot get 100% all of the time, that’s just not how it works. So instead of falling into a pit of despair (especially if you did actually study for this test), it’s time to look at this situation objectively.

1) Recognise that it’s over. This may be a no- brainer but sometimes we need to be reminded of the obvious things. The test is over okay, so thoughts of ‘if only I’d done this’ and ‘if only I’d done that’ are kind of useless because your test has already happened. Don’t dwell on this test in a way that is not actually useful. This means that more constructive thoughts would be ‘Let’s see where I went wrong, so that I can work on those bits and improve the next time I have test’. If you’re going to look back, make sure it’s in order to help you move forward, not so that you get stuck in that moment that was your test – which remember, you have already done.

2) Go over your mistakes in an ACTIVE way. Emphasis on ACTIVE. This means that you go through each question that you got wrong systematically, going over your notes and textbook to thoroughly delve into this topic. You may find that there were quite large gaps in your knowledge that you were not even aware of. By going over your test like this, you are actually engaging with your mistakes which mean you are less prone to making them again. Make sure that you also test yourself, this will ensure that you truly grasp the concepts that you are studying.

3) Ask for help. We’re pretty sure you were not the only person who took that test. This is where you have to make use of your fellow classmates and your teachers. You’ll find that people are actually more than willing to help and you will save so much time. Sometimes it’s good to go over things by yourself and slowly grasp the understanding - and this is a good method. But there has to be a point where you utilise other people’s help because they could explain a topic in 5 minutes where you may have been struggling for hours. This does not mean they are smarter than you; there are always topics that we find harder to grasp than others. For all you know on your next test that same person will be asking you for help.

4) You’re not stupid. One test cannot determine your whole intelligence, it’s simply not possible. There is no point in jumping to unnecessary and unjustified conclusions just because you have one bad mark. Everyone has their days, but one day shouldn’t get to dictate your attitude to the rest of your test-taking days. If you study and revise the content, you WILL get it. It’s truly as simple as that. No such that as intrinsic intelligence. You just need to work at it and you’ll get it. Do you have a brain? Well then guess what – you can learn anything! And remember, time does not equate intelligence. What we mean by this is that just because somebody understands something quickly does not mean they are actually cleverer than you. At the end of the day you both end up understanding the concept do you not?

5) Move on and take this as a lesson. Okay you got the bad result, now what? You’ve thoroughly gone over your mistakes, asked for help and tested your knowledge. You did your best. Now it’s time to move on and take this as a lesson, rather than something that paralyses you. So the next time you have an exam, learn from the last time you prepared for this test and improve your method. See this as an opportunity to improve. And then move on, it’s happened now and you’ve grown from it!