Read the instructions and the text at the start of any question very carefully. Most people make mistakes because they’ve misunderstood what they’re supposed to do, not because they can’t do it.

Some tests start with practice questions. Don’t worry if you get these wrong; they’re quite often designed  to ensure you make silly mistakes before you get into the real test. Use them as a sort of athletic warm up exercise that helps you understand what you have to do and get in the mood to do your best.

Don’t spend too long on any one question. Some tests get harder as they go on, some easier, some ask questions randomly. So, you can always go back to questions that are holding you up.

Be careful how you mark your answers, particularly on computer-scored answer sheets. If you change your answer, make sure your final choice is clear. The same is true of internet-delivered tests which often use different ways of recording your answers.

In multiple choice tests, rule out the obviously untrue answers and concentrate on those that are left

Spend a while at the beginning looking at the amount of time you have and the number of questions you have to answer. Check as you go along.

If there’s time at the end, go back over your answers.

If anything disturbs you ( noises from in or outside the room for instance ) or something goes wrong ( your pencil breaks or, even, you suspect a mistake in the test ), let the person supervising you know straight away.

Like athletes and actors, you’ll do your best if there’s some adrenalin in your system, so don’t worry about worrying.

Some tests don’t have right and wrong answers; they’re more about describing yourself and the way you characteristically behave or think. Often they’ll give you a number of descriptions to chose between. Don’t get hung up on thoughts like ‘none of these are like me’. Understand what the instructions say – ‘Your first thought is often the best‘ for instance – and follow them.