What action should a student take if they finish an exam early?

The recommended action for a student who finishes an exam early is to check over their answers. This step allows the student to review their work critically, ensuring that they have understood the questions correctly and that their answers are accurate. By taking the time to go through their responses, they can catch any mistakes, clarify their thoughts on certain questions, and make any necessary corrections. This practice enhances the quality of their work and can potentially improve their final score.

While submitting immediately can seem efficient, it eliminates the opportunity for this important review process. Leaving without reviewing could lead to missed errors or incomplete thoughts that might negatively impact the overall performance. Engaging in distractions during the exam time is counterproductive and does not contribute to a thorough understanding of the material. Thus, reviewing their work is the most beneficial and strategic action a student can take upon finishing early.