How to Study for Online Exams: Strategies That Actually Work

Online and computer-based exams have become the standard for most IT certifications, professional assessments, and an increasing number of university assessments in South Africa. When we designed Dragonfly as a browser-based practice platform, we thought carefully about how computer-delivered testing differs from paper-based testing — and how to practise in a way that transfers to the actual exam environment. This guide covers what we have found to be most important.

How computer-based testing differs from paper exams

The most significant difference between computer-based and paper-based exams is the inability to physically annotate, underline, and cross out. On a paper exam, most candidates develop a system of marking — underlining key words, crossing out wrong answers, circling important figures. On a computer screen, this physical engagement with the material is absent. This is not a minor difference: physical engagement with text improves reading comprehension and retention under pressure. Computer-based test-takers must consciously compensate for this.

The second major difference is scrolling. Long question stems, case studies, and tables may require scrolling — meaning part of the content is not visible while you are reading or answering another part. This is a significant source of errors in computer-based tests. Candidates who miss information at the bottom of a scroll frequently answer based on incomplete information. The mitigation: always scroll through the full question before selecting an answer, even for questions that appear to have a visible full stem.

Technical preparation: what most people skip

Technical preparation for a computer-based exam goes beyond knowing where the test centre is. For in-person computer-based tests: visit the test centre location once before your actual exam date if possible — know the parking, the check-in process, the security procedures (most centres require leaving all personal items including phones in a locker), and how the workstation is set up. Familiarity with the physical environment reduces cognitive load on exam day.

For online proctored exams (taken from home or office): test your equipment at least 48 hours before the exam, not the morning of. Most proctoring platforms (Pearson VUE OnVUE, ProctorU, PSI) have a system check tool — run it on the exact machine and network you will use for the exam. Check that your camera, microphone, and stable internet connection all pass. Have a backup plan for internet failure: know your mobile data option and test it. Clear your workspace completely — proctors can and do ask you to show them the full room environment via webcam.

Reading on screen vs reading on paper

Research consistently shows that reading on screen is slower and leads to shallower processing than reading on paper, particularly for longer texts. This matters for exams with long question stems or case studies — which includes NCLEX, AWS exams, IELTS on Computer, and professional certification exams. The practical implication: read more slowly and deliberately on screen than you would on paper. The impulse to skim that works well for casual digital reading becomes a source of errors in high-stakes exam settings.

Practise reading your preparation material on screen rather than printing it. Use Dragonfly's browser-based practice specifically because it simulates reading questions on screen and selecting from digital options — which is exactly the exam format for most certification and professional exams. Candidates who practise on paper and then sit a computer-based exam are often surprised by how much the format change affects their performance.

Flagging and time management

Almost every computer-based testing platform offers a flag or mark for review feature. Use it systematically: answer every question on first pass, even if uncertain, but flag any question where you are not confident. This ensures you have an answer for every question (no blanks) while identifying questions to revisit with remaining time. On first pass, do not spend more than 90 seconds on any single question — flag it and move on.

Monitor your time budget throughout the exam, not just at the end. For a 90-minute, 65-question exam, your target pace is approximately 1 minute 20 seconds per question. Check your progress at question 20, 40, and 60 to ensure you are on track. If you are significantly behind, increase your pace on the simpler remaining questions and accept that some flagged questions may not be reviewed.

Managing screen fatigue during long exams

Screen fatigue — the combination of visual strain, reduced concentration, and increased cognitive load from sustained screen use — is a real performance factor in long computer-based exams. For exams of 90 minutes or longer, use any scheduled break time (most proctored exams allow at least one 10-minute break) to look away from the screen and rest your eyes. The 20-20-20 rule — every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds — is difficult to apply during an exam, but applying it during your preparation sessions builds the habit of screen break discipline.

Font size and screen brightness settings are often adjustable in the test interface — check whether this is available on your specific platform and adjust before starting the exam, not during. Sitting at an appropriate distance from the screen (arms-length) and ensuring your chair height puts the screen slightly below eye level reduces physical strain during long sessions.

The night before and morning of

The night before a computer-based exam: do not attempt to learn new material. Review your weakest areas briefly (30 minutes maximum), then stop. Prepare everything you need for the next day — ID document, test centre address, any required authorisation codes, a water bottle if permitted. Sleep at your normal time. Sleep deprivation has a measurable negative effect on exam performance — one hour of lost sleep costs more marks than one hour of additional studying.

The morning of the exam: eat a normal meal, avoid excessive caffeine (which amplifies anxiety without improving focus), and arrive at the test centre at least 20 minutes early. For online proctored exams, log in to the proctoring platform 15 minutes before your scheduled start time — this gives you buffer for the identity verification and workspace check process, which can take 5 to 10 minutes.