Test taking is a necessary evil when completing basic and higher education today. When you take a test, you are demonstrating your ability to understand course information in a way that is comparable with your classmates. Though test taking does not come naturally to everyone, there are some universal tips that you can follow to give yourself the best possible chance at an A.

Here are 4 important tips for better test taking today:

1. Look at previous tests: Practice makes perfect, and if you’ve already taken a test in this class, or had a friend who completed it last year, then it’s a good idea to look it over and study the structuring of the questions. Knowing the way your teacher likes to test you is the first step to success.
2. Get there early: Nothing is more nerve-wracking then worrying that you might not even make it to your test on time. Spare yourself the stressful details and arrive with plenty of time to sit down, relax, and go through your notes one last time (though that’s not necessary).
3. Go through it once fully: Nine times out of ten your gut feeling on a test question is the way to go. Upon receiving the test, go through it entirely the first time around and answer all of the questions you know. Once you’re done, go back and ponder the unknown questions. Leave the questions alone you were sure of the first time.
4. Stay calm: Too many people panic themselves into a bad grade when they actually knew the course material. Stay calm, breathe deeply, make sure you sit with good posture, and choose a seat in the room that makes you feel the most at ease.

Ready to ace your test? Follow these tips and you surely will.