Today I sat my first chemistry exam for our first unit in IB HL Chemistry, atomic structure. Besides the fact it was the first time I had done so since my GCSe examinations, I was nervous because it was my first real chance to show a new teacher who I am as a student. It was not so much a reflection of my ability, as it is still early in the year and I am still adjusting to the new syllabus and course, but more to show the way that I express my learning and communicate my ideas, which is the basis upon which I will enhance my knowledge and develop my ability. I was also nervous because I have really enjoyed this topic in particular and the way that all the ideas and concepts are so logical and interconnecting, so I really wanted this to be reflected in my answers.
During the test itself I used a strategy that I have always used, which is to go through all of the questions as quickly as possible and then go back to the ones I am unsure about later. This is because I tend to overanalyze more difficult questions and get very tense and worked up when the answer does not come to me immediately, so leaving myself a good amount of time to process such questions is something I consider very important for a test in any subject.
I felt very comfortable with the questions given to us during the test but began to feel nervous again as soon as I handed it in, for the idea of no longer being able to control the outcome makes me overanalyze everything that could have possibly gone wrong. I was happy with the way that I approached the exam but I know that if my result is below my expectations I know that is the first thing that I will blame. Then, there is the additional factor of people discussing certain answers after the test, and being the minority in an answer to a particular question has always been a big fear of mine. So far I know that I have one answer that is definitely incorrect but surprisingly I don’t feel upset about it. I guess this is because while taking the test itself I did not feel confused or unsure about any of the concepts, so regardless of what mistakes I may have made, I know that I am confident in and have fully understood this topic, which in the greater scheme of things is far more important than which answers I got right or wrong.