1. Maintain a Calm Mindset in the Exam Room
From the first day of registration to the days before each exam, make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes early. Take a walk around the exam room, familiarize yourself with the layout, surroundings, and any potential distractions to ensure there are no surprises. Thorough preparation like this will help you stay calm and give you extra time to review important topics before the exam starts. It also ensures you won’t be stressed about being late for the exam.
Note: Good mental preparation is key


2. Tackle Easier Questions First, Harder Ones Later
Note: Whether it's a History exam in multiple-choice or essay format, students should always follow the rule of doing easy questions first and saving the harder ones for later. This approach helps save time and creates a calm mindset.


3. Không được rời khỏi phòng thi trong suốt thời gian làm bài thi trắc nghiệm
Trước hết đây là quy định đối với các môn thi trắc nghiệm. Bạn không được nộp bài thi trước khi hết giờ làm bài. Khi hết giờ làm bài, phải nộp phiếu trả lời câu hỏi cho cán bộ coi thi và ký tên vào hai phiếu thu bài thi; Chỉ được rời phòng thi sau khi cán bộ coi thi đã kiểm đủ số phiếu trả lời trắc nghiệm của cả phòng thi và cho phép ra về. Khi có sự việc bất thường xảy ra, phải tuyệt đối tuân theo sự hướng dẫn của cán bộ coi thi.
Thứ hai, đối với môn thi trắc nghiệm thời gian làm bài rất ngắn, số lượng câu hỏi nhiều, lượng kiến thức rộng và yêu cầu phải trả lời câu hỏi trong thời gian ngắn, đồng nghĩa với việc tốc độ làm bài phải thật nhanh so với hình thức thi tự luận thông thường. Vậy nên bạn tuyệt đối đừng rời khỏi phòng thi trước khi hết giờ, bởi vì biết đâu có một số yếu tố xung quanh nào đó lại giúp đỡ được bạn nhỉ.
Note: Tận dụng triệt để thời gian


4. Adjust your approach to studying and solving problems
Note: Solve the test quickly, accurately, and precisely


5. Answer on your own first... then check the options
Note: To avoid being swayed by misleading answer choices, always come up with your own answer first. If you're unsure within 3 seconds, then check the options.


6. Identify the key terms in the question


7. Carefully review the exam paper for 10 minutes
Do not start answering the exam immediately after receiving the paper. This can be overwhelming and make it difficult to finish on time, not to mention it could cause unnecessary stress. Before you start, make sure to write your candidate number on the exam paper, answer sheet, and any rough paper. When you receive the exam, check carefully the number of pages and the quality of the print. If you notice any missing pages, tears, smudges, or blurriness, report it to the invigilator within 10 minutes of receiving the paper. This year's exams include a multiple-choice test for a social science subject with some essay-like components, so extra attention is required to check for missing questions, errors in question phrasing, or issues with the answer sheet. This early review also helps you familiarize yourself with the exam layout, estimate the time needed for each section, and plan your time accordingly. If you find any issues like typing errors or discrepancies, immediately notify the invigilator.
Note: Use the first 10 minutes to familiarize yourself with the paper, identify easy, difficult, and moderate questions, and allocate your time accordingly.


8. Manage Your Exam Time Wisely
When taking the exam, it’s essential to bring a small watch to help you manage your time effectively. Start by quickly reading through all the questions and marking the ones you know immediately (remember to use a pencil, as it is required by the Ministry for multiple-choice exams, allowing for corrections).
After completing the questions you’re confident in, focus on the simpler ones first. Since all multiple-choice questions carry equal weight, it doesn’t matter if a question is difficult or easy—just complete the easier ones to secure maximum points. Be mindful of time so you don’t leave any questions unanswered. If you’re unsure of an answer, make a guess or rely on luck, as the key is to avoid leaving any question blank. Once you've allocated your time wisely, apply these strategies to optimize your performance.
Note: Candidates have 45 minutes to complete the multiple-choice questions and mark their answers. Therefore, allocate around 1 minute per question. If you exceed the time limit for any question, mark it and move on. After finishing the rest, return to unanswered questions.


9. Don’t skip any questions
One of the biggest advantages of multiple-choice exams is the randomization of answers. While we don’t encourage guessing, in certain situations, like when time is running out or faced with tough questions, the only option might be to rely on luck.
Moreover, leaving an answer blank just because you're unsure is regrettable. Who knows, your process of elimination or random guessing might actually be correct. If you're unsure, try selecting the least repeated option, the one you feel most confident about, or even the longest answer. Of course, don’t make a habit of guessing!
Note: It’s recommended to spend the last 5 minutes reviewing your answers and the answer sheet to ensure you haven’t missed any questions. If a question is too difficult and you're uncertain about the correct answer, it’s better to take a guess than leave it blank. You still have a 25% chance of scoring.


