Be sure you know what is being asked. Always try to support your general statements with specific examples, facts, illustrations, and evidence. This step can mean the difference between a good and a poor paper. Convince the reader that you know the subject. Always write something on every question, even the ones you're not sure about.
Research indicates that sloppy writing can mean the difference of one whole letter grade or more.
Most of us feel nervous before or during a test, at least until we see that we can handle the questions. Some of us get so panicky that our performance on the test suffers. For this problem the suggestions mentioned above may help. Also, there are relaxation techniques that a study skills counselor at the Learning and Academic Skills Center can show you if exam panic is a problem for you. This document has covered only a few of the main points on the art of taking tests.