THINK POSITIVELY: Be optimistic with regard to your classmates, and do not be affected by their anxiety or fear just before the exam, for anxiety is a contagious disease. Instead, make them feel optimistic by saying good words as prescribed in Islam. The Prophet ﷺ was optimistic, when he heard the name of Suhayl (which means “easy”) and he said: “Things have been made easy for you.” So be optimistic that you and your friends will pass this exam.

RELAX: Take breaks eg. Salaah time is an excellent time to take a break. If stressed, ask Allah ﷻ for ease.

DON’T HURRY: Take your time to answer, for the Prophet ﷺ said: “Deliberation is from Allah ﷻ and haste is from the Shaytaan.”

WRITTEN EXAMS: In written exams, collect your thoughts before you start to answer. Write an outline for your answer with some words which will indicate the ideas which you want to discuss. Then number the ideas in the sequence in which you want to present them. Write the main points of your answer at the beginning of the line, because this is what the examiner is looking for, and he may not see what he is looking for if it is in the middle of the page and he is in a hurry.

REVIEW: Devote 10% of the time for reviewing your answers. Take your time in reviewing, especially in mathematical problems and writing numbers. Resist the desire to hand in the exam papers quickly, and do not let the fact that some people are leaving early bother you. They may be among the people who have handed in their papers too early.

ACCEPT THE WILL OF ALLAH: Perform 2 rakaats of Salaah after the exam and make duaa in gratitude to Allah ﷻ and that He grants you success. If you discover after the exam         that you answered some questions incorrectly, then take that as a lesson in the importance of being well prepared in the future, and not rushing to answer questions. Accept the will and decree of Allah ﷻ and do not fall prey to frustration and despair. Remember the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ, “If anything befalls you, do not say, ‘If only I had done such and such.’ Rather say, ‘QaddarAllah wa maa sha’a kaan (the decree of Allah and what He wills, happened),’ for saying ‘if only’ opens the door for the Shaytaan.”

CHEATING: Note that cheating is haraam. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever cheats is not one of us.” It is wrongdoing and it is a haram means of attaining a degree or certificate, etc., that you have no right to. The consensus is that cheating is a kind of cooperation in sin and transgression. So do without that which is haraam, and Allah ﷻ will suffice you from His bounty. Reject all offers of haraam things that come to you from others. Whoever gives up a thing for the sake of Allah ﷻ, Allah ﷻ will compensate him with something better. You have to denounce and resist evil, and tell the authorities about any such thing that you see during the exam, or before or after it. This is not the forbidden kind of slander rather it is denouncing evil which is obligatory. Advise those who buy or sell questions or post them on the Internet etc., or who prepare cheat notes. Tell them to fear Allah.

TAKE A BREATHER: During the exams take a breather for a few seconds and praise Allah ﷻ and send blessings on his Prophet ﷺ, this will attract Allah’s mercy on you and will allow you to relax.

BE CONFIDANT: After the exams always be confidant and keep making duaa. If asked by anyone how did the exam “go” start off by saying Alhamdullilah (Praise be to Allah) and then explain. Be positive! Duaa is a great weapon for a true believer and it can make what seems impossible, possible with the permission of Allah! So don`t lose hope.

POST MORTEM: Avoid the post-mortem analysis after the exam with friends and other students.

CONGRATULATE: Congratulate those who succeed and say encouraging words to those who have not done so well this time. According to the Hadith, every good word is Sadaqah. Failure is a stepping stone to success. Don’t look down upon any person who does not do well. Whatever Allah ﷻ has willed cannot be changed. Therefore, we should always be happy and content with the decision of Allah ﷻ.

DON’T FORGET: Remember what you have prepared for the Hereafter, and the questions of the examination in the grave, and how to be saved on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever is saved from the Fire and admitted to Paradise will indeed have succeeded.

DIET: When you’re studying for finals, good nutrition often slides way down on the priority list. It’s easy to get into the habit of gulping coffee and gobbling take-out pizza, because you don’t want to waste time on food preparation. But, actually, good nutrition should be part of your study plan because it’s going to help you ace those tests. The better the fuel your brain gets, the better you’ll study.