The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination(UTME) and Post-UTME are around the corner. Students are already warming up to take the exams that will decide their fate into the tertiary institutions. The truth remains that some students will reach cut-off marks while others will not.
The question that begs answer is, do these students who reached the cut-off marks born with two heads? The answer is no. DAILY GIST has listed some top secrets below which you may find useful.
1. Starting on time to read and revise your book. Most students play away their time and thought that they can do magic in the examination. It’s not always like that. Some can be lucky but passing UTME and Post-UTME is not a game of luck. You must begin on time to revise your books and read extensively. There are usually four subjects to be tested in the UTME, you should begin with a timetable using the outlines on how to read and revise them simultaneously. Set a timetable on what to read everyday, morning and night until the exam day. If you want to pass, read like it all depends on reading. Have a jotter or notebook where you jot down all you have learnt and make it a duty to revise them from time to time.
2. Set a goal and visionalize it. The power of goal-setting and vision cannot be overemphasized. You have to know within yourself what you are capable of and go for it. If it’s your dream to make 280 in UTME, write it down and make it plain somewhere you can see it often. Writing it down helps to impress it on your subconscious mind which will get the conscious mind to work. If you don’t know where you are going, you may not get there. Creating a vision statement is also advisable. Let it be in positive, progressive and present tense. To achieve success, it takes a whole framework of positivity and capability.
3. Banish fear and self-doubt in your heart. Never you feel that you cannot make it. That’s where people started failing. When they go to exams with fear and self-doubt, they are bound to make mistakes that will cost them their success. So, the best thing is to be optimistic. Keep up a bright, cheerful face and never look downcast no matter what. Aim for the best and expect the best. That’s the way to win. Do not voice your fear no matter the pressure. Do not join in the conversation talking about high failure rates in the UTME and Post-UTME. Believe that your case is different and you will pass.
4. Connect with other students writing UTME and Post-UTME. There is power in association. There is exposure to information that it gives you. It will also open your head to insights and perspective on different subjects. It’s good to read and revise with others. If you can attend lessons, please do. It will help you to ask questions in key areas you are confused. Do not be ashamed to ask questions because no one knows it all. Ask your friends questions. Ask your teachers questions. You can even set questions for yourself and score yourself honestly. Do not think that you have known it all. Be in the always improving state. Try also to attempt past questions and make sure you did excellently in them. It will boost your confidence to go into the exam hall and come out with flying colors.
5. Be prayerful. This cannot be underestimated. There are agents of confusion in the exam hall and you have to pray for them not to locate you. For instance, you may have read something and known the answer to a question but just because of how they twist the options, you picked the wrong answer. Take it or leave it, you were confused by the options and this do happen most times. There is also the aspect of going blank in the exam hall. You may have read something about that but when it’s time to recollect that in the hall, your brain went black. Funny part is that you will remember it or see the answer when you are outside the hall. These things do happen and they have some spiritual forces surrounding it. Therefore, be spiritual. Commit your exams to God. Live in gratitude. Have a calm and relaxed mind. Go into the exam with a serene spirit. Don’t go to the exam venue and start socializing, leave it after exams. Focus. Pray against delay or lateness. Pray for a good understanding because comprehension is part of the answer.
Conclusively, have the strong belief in your self and in your ability. Believe in God the most high for it’s He who gives success to whoever He chooses. It’s not by power nor by might. You only have to do your best and leave the rest to God almighty.
