How do I stop making careless mistakes?

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I've noticed I make alot of careless mistakes on tests and not reading questions properly. I've noticed mediation helps with reducing the amount of careless mistakes and reading questions problems and it also helps me to block out all irrelevant thoughts that seemed to pop up in my mind when I try to solve problems.

Should I just meditate and practice more with these tests to make sure I won't make these type of problems again?

Why do you think I do this and what else could I do to help my problem?


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For an example with a careless mistake.
When I'm dividing by 2 I always remember the number 5 aswell.
So, when I had to show my work with the calculation which was

4/2=2

Instead, I wrote down 4/2=5.

Meditation helps with stopping things like that.

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With not reading questions properly I sometimes forget the other available information so then I'm not able to solve the problem efficiently.


Should I keep meditating and maybe it will change? What else can I do to help myself?

Hi:

I have a lot of trouble with this problem. I have lucked out a lot because I have managed, thus far, to adequately guess questions from bits and pieces. I don't really know how I make it, and it worries me as I have had some close calls. I always walk away knowing exactly what I did wrong. I replay the entire test and focus on the questions where I knew the answer and then wrote the wrong answer. I have no surprises on tests. I feel like telling my profs what the answers are, not in the hope of marks, but just so they know that I know the answers. It bothers me, and each time I tell myself that I won't let it happen the next time. That being said, maybe I am not the best person to give you ideas. But, I am problem solving myself and I am finding the following useful in improving my test taking experiences:

I wear earplugs ( and I am hoping to get the noise cancelling headphones). This helps, except that I can get over-involved in questions.

I keep a water bottle with me. I heard that drinking water during a test improves performance (staying hydrated), but I find that turning the cap and sipping water gives me something physical to do and helps me focus.

I go to the test as close to the start time as possible. I am nearby in ample time, but if it is an in-class test - I don't sit down until a few minutes before so I can get comfortable and set up. I like my spot - I sit close to the front and near a door. I like to see a clock as I don't wear a watch (I break them from twiddling).

I am careful that if I talk to anyone it is someone who will not make me tense. I prefer not to talk to classmates at this time, the wrong people can throw me off.

I underline the important parts of instructions in a written test (versus computer lab). It isn't perfect, but it does help me assimilate and piece together instructions. I have held my pen underneath the lines, and I am thinking I will bring a ruler in the future to hold under the sentences. Just show the professor what you have - I have found no problems with whatever little things I bring to a test. They know me.

I have brought my memory foam pillow and I like it behind me. It feels better that I have something between me and the person behind me, and it helps keep me physically comfortable. I look like a turtle, but I don't care.

I have lucky charms that really are just little items that focus my attention, give me courage (like my Granny's ring), and give me something else I can fiddle with - again, something to touch helps. When I have to give long answers or write an essay, I am okay once I am really into it and I can give this one problem all of my attention. I have had to go back and edit - line out whole paragraphs - because I can go too deep and exceed the length requirements.

I am well prepared as far as study habits. If you ask me, I will reiterate the entire course. But tests are hard, and not just test anxiety. They are contrary to the way I learn and process information. I am hoping that after I see the psychologist, I will have the option for an oral exam. If you ask me to explain something, I can sing it backwards and forwards. Do you have access to any accommodations?

Best of luck, LM

Oh - one more, if you don't mind:

I listen to a lot of music right before I go into a test. As for blocking out irrelevant thoughts, I find the tunes very useful. I have a noisy head. But, music - for me - does help cancel out extraneous details. I do have excellent grades. I just hate that I lose any mark to carelessness when I know the answer. If I didn't know the answer, I could accept that I lost a mark. I can't help it - I play it over and over and over. I am both lucky and unlucky that I have a good memory.