How to Motivate someone to fail an exam or test

Failing an exam can make a person really disappointed in himself and feel ashamed. However, there are many things you can do to motivate and help someone who failed the test! Help them cope with the emotions of failure by reminding them that everyone has failed several times, and one failure doesn’t define who they are. You can also help them figure out how to do better next time. Encourage them to find a tutor, help them create a new study space, or share your own study strategies.

Table of Contents

Help them cope with failure

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Remind them that everyone has failed at some point. Failing an exam can be very painful for those who have never failed a test. Remind them that everyone experiences failure a few times, even if they don’t want to talk about it. We are all human, and all humans experience failure! ^{[1] X Research Source}

You could say something like, “Who hasn’t experienced failure. There are students in this class who have failed a test. It happens to everyone sometimes and you can get through it.”

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Let them express. Sometimes they just want to express their sadness or complaint about an exam or class. That’s fine! Listen quietly and let them express all their feelings when they fail the exam. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Ask them to tell you how they feel and let them confide in you, as long as they need you. You could say something like, “Tell me how you’re feeling. I’m always there to listen as long as you need me.”

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Tell them that this failure does not define who they are. Many people who fail the exam think that their failure in the exam will make them the underdog in life. Tell them it’s just an exam in a classroom. It does not mean that they are a failure in life, much less that they cannot succeed in the future. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Say, “I understand you’ll probably never accept this, but you’ll make it. Failing this test doesn’t mean you ‘re a failure. It’s just that you’re stumbling down the road of life. “.

Suggest ways to look to the future

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Help them find new effective ways to learn . You need to find out how long they’ve been studying, how often they take notes in class, and if they ever feel like they’re not learning enough. Help them find learning strategies on sites like the Princeton Review and choose strategies they haven’t tried. Adopting a new way of learning can yield different results. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Share your effective learning methods. For example, if you always use flashcards, teach them how to organize their notes with tags.

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Suggest they set a deadline to react. It is easy to become obsessed with failing an exam for a few days or even weeks. Ask them to give themselves a specific amount of time – say 24 hours – to react the way they want. When that time is up, they should focus on the future. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

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Help them create a new learning space. Ask where they studied. If it’s a noisy place and there are a lot of distractions, help them create a new space. Choose a quiet corner in the house to place the table and chairs. Or, help them find quiet cafes. ^{[9] X Research Source}

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Recommend a tutor. Some people need someone to teach them how to learn or understand specific material, and that’s normal. Suggest to someone who has failed an exam that a tutor can help them improve their studies. ^{[10] X Research Source}

You can suggest they look into tutoring at your school or through a website for a company like Sylvan Learning.

Facing serious failure

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Encourage them to contact their professor immediately. If failing a test prevents them from advancing to class or graduating, they need to talk to their teacher immediately. Your friend may feel terrible talking about failing a test, but it’s important that they talk to their teacher so they can change their results as soon as possible. ^{[11] X Research Source}

For example, they might say something like, “Mr. Son, I really need to see you to talk about the test I failed. I’m worried if it will affect my chances of promotion or graduation. I’m not”.

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Help them figure out how to articulate what they’re worried about. It won’t change anything when they just go to the professor and say, “Because you failed me, I couldn’t graduate”. Instead, play the professor and let your friend try to present their case. ^{[12] X Research Source}

They might say something like, “I’m really worried about this score because it might prevent me from graduating. I’ve looked through my notes and readings but can’t find material on the content contained in the test. test”.
Or say something like this, “I feel like I’ve answered the question in my essay fully. I’ve marked my thesis with 3 points stating the direct answer so I hope you and I can work together. Let’s review and discuss the scores.”

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Ask them to share any situations the professor can relate to. If they have migraines, family problems, or are sick, they are probably not in the best shape to take the test. They should share that information with the teacher while discussing a failed test. ^{[13] X Research Source}

For example, they might say something like, “I didn’t tell you on the day of the test because I didn’t want to use that as an excuse, but I was actually sick and I think my ill health is affecting my ability to do so.” my homework”.

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Encourage them to ask the professor to give them another chance to retake the exam. Some teachers have tough rules regarding retaking tests, but if your friend proves the problem is really serious, perhaps the professor will sympathize. They can retake the test or earn extra points. ^{[14] X Research Source}

For example, they might say something like, “Can I retake this test, please?” or “Can I earn extra points to supplement my score? I’m really worried it will affect my ability to graduate”.

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Advise them to stay calm. In some cases, low test scores can ruin a person’s entire school experience, feeling angry or wanting to say something foolish to their professor. Encourage them to stay calm and polite during the meeting. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Practicing the conversation they will have with the professor will help them stay calm. Take the initiative to play the professor and let them vent their anger before they even make an appointment with the professor.

Advice

Be sympathetic. The most effective way to support someone is to be understanding, caring, and ready to help.
Please be patient. Some people will be more receptive to help and encouragement if you show them respect and understanding.

Warning

Avoid getting angry. You should try to hold back the frustration, if any. Mentioning what you expect the other person to put in effort won’t help them, it will slowly lose their confidence and make the problem worse.
Avoid being an annoying person. Behaving like a “superior” and a “teacher” attitude, without love and empathy will only cause the failed test-taker to react negatively to you. Indeed, it can make them even more rebellious and leave it all to annoy you.

Steps

Help them cope with failure

Suggest ways to look to the future

Facing serious failure

Advice

Warning

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