Online exams come with unique challenges—tech glitches, home distractions, and the temptation to “Google” answers. But at Paris American International University (PAIU), we’ve uncovered seven unconventional strategies to help you crush your next test.

1. The “Dress for Success” Trick

• Why it works: Wearing professional attire (not pajamas!) tricks your brain into “exam mode.”
• Study: Participants scored 10% higher when dressed formally (Journal of Experimental Psychology).

2. Cheat Sheets You Can Actually Use: Even if notes aren’t allowed, writing a mock cheat sheet forces you to condense and prioritize key concepts.

3. The 5-Second Rule for Tough Questions: Stuck? Spend 5 seconds closing your eyes and breathing before moving on. This prevents panic and often sparks recall.

4. Background Noise Hacks

• For focus: Try brown noise (e.g., here).
• For memory: Study and test with the same background sounds (context-dependent memory).

5. The “Teach It” Method: Explain concepts aloud to an imaginary student before the exam. If you can teach it, you know it.

6. Strategic Breaks: For exams longer than 90 mins, schedule a 2-minute stretch break to reset focus.

7. Post-Exam Review: Jot down questions you struggled with immediately after the test—they’ll likely reappear on finals.

PAIU Pro Tip

“I record myself summarizing key topics and listen while commuting—zero extra study time!” – David L., PAIU Data Science Student