During the pandemic, take home exams have become more common. One silver lining of this change is that students have more control over their exam environment.
Normally, law school exams happen in a classroom in a law school building. The exam is proctored, and the exam software often restricts internet access. Students would put in earplugs in order to block the sounds of 50-80 people tapping on computer keyboards, prepare enough stationery and scratch paper for outlining and taking notes, and make sure their computers were plugged into an electrical outlet. Some would arrive at the testing room thirty minutes to an hour before the exam to grab their preferred spot and set up everything. Once the exam began, going to the restroom or taking a break meant losing precious minutes.
With take home exams, students have more flexibility to set up ahead of time, find the quietest space possible, and surround themselves with calming forces, rather than the sight of other stressed-out students.
Having taken multiple take-home exams, I have developed some strategies and tips to set up a workspace that works for me:
[Read more…] about Setting up a Successful Workspace for Take Home Exams
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