You have to gauge your environment. A room with plain colours and not a lot of pictures or posters around it is best so that you aren't distracted while you're working. Make sure that it's quiet - some calming music is okay, but make sure that it's quiet - tell the people around you that you'd appreciate it if they were quiet.
Make sure you have everything before you start. Beginning the work and then finding that you're missing something is incredibly frustrating as well as distracting. Make sure that you have lots of pens or pencils, enough paper, the right books, a calculator if you need it.
Be comfortable; wear comfortable clothes; things that you won't have to fiddle with continually. Wear a nice big t-shirt and a cozy jumper with your jeans or something; not a too small shirt that you'll have to fix every five seconds to be comfortable.
Have somebody on hand to help you; a parent or older sibling. Don't be afraid to ask them for help if you need it. If there's nobody to help, note down the question and ask your teacher the next day. It doesn't matter how far behind you are or how much you don't want to ask them; do it. It'll mean all the more in the actual exam.
Lastly, make sure that you're calm. Don't stress about the test or anything; just think about the question that you're doing slowly. Don't rush it to practice for the timed exam; take your time and get used to doing the question well and speed will follow.
- Joanna xx