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Handling examsRead all the instructions carefully so you know how many questions to answer, what they're worth and which ones are compulsory. Read all the questions and avoid leaping on the first 'easy' one you spot. Beware questions you recognise from past papers, they may have been subtly changed. Plan which questions you want to answer and in what order. Plan how much time you've got for each question - put your watch in front of you and try and stick to your timings. Plan a quick bullet-list of points to give you a handy structure for essay questions. Plan to use any spare time you have at the end of the exam for checking through your answers. Write answers to the questions that have actually been set, not the ones you'd hoped to see. Write as concisely as possible. Keep to the point. Write as neatly but also as quickly as you can. Try not to spend too long on any single question, however much you get into it. Write a concise list of what you would have put in your answer if you find yourself running out of time, that way you should still score some points. Avoid cheating. It's not worth the stress and you're bound to get caught. Avoid panicking. Sometimes your brain takes time to find facts. Calmly re-read the paper and you'll soon get back into gear. Top Ten TipsSuccess in exams is never easy, but there are strategies which will greatly increase your chances of achieving the grade you want. 1. Know what you have to do First you should go through your notes or an exam syllabus and list the topics which have to be covered - your own study checklist. Also, make sure you know exactly when your exams are and how many papers you will have to sit. 2. Make a revision plan Well before your exams, set up a revision timetable. Many people don't do this, but it is essential. Set a realistic number of hours for revision each week. Plan to work through each of the topics in the period up to the exam, leaving a few weeks for final revision. Regularly review your plan and make changes in the light of your progress. 3. Revise effectively Find a quiet private place to revise (try the library if there's no room at home), with a suitable, well-lit table or desk to work at and always have all the equipment you need at hand - class notes, Study Guides, calculator, etc. Work for a set period (30-40 minutes suits most people), and then have a 10 minute break away from your desk. 4. Revise actively Don't just read through your class notes - revision needs to be more active than that if it's to stick. Make your own revision notes (they'll come in useful for final revision), draw diagrams to summarise points, make up word games to help memorise key points and, above all, keep testing yourself (or get a friend to test you). 5. Practise exam questions About two or three months before the exam, start to look at past papers for the syllabus you are taking. Get used to the style of the questions and the words used by the examiner. It is most important to answer the question set and not one you would prefer to answer. 6. Handling stress Start revising as early as possible. If you start late, don't panic, but make a plan of what you have to do and stick to it. Do lots of exam questions practice, so you know what to expect. Take regular, scheduled breaks. And make sure you get some exercise and fresh air. Most importantly, keep a sense of proportion - there is life after the exams. 7. The week before You should have kept this time to go back over essential or difficult points, rather than studying new material. However, if you have fallen behind your schedule, you can use a few days of this time to catch up. 8. The night before Don't rely on a lot of last minute revision. It's OK to revise a couple of things the night before the exam, but don't get into a panic about things you don't know. Convince yourself about how much you do know. Get all the things you need ready the night before - pens, pencils, ruler, calculator with spare battery, etc. And try to get an early night. 9. In the exam Arrive at the place of the exam in good time. When you start, find a question you can do well and do it straight away, even if it is not the first question on the paper - this will build your confidence. Keep a careful eye on the time and keep on schedule to answer every question you need to - if you find a question you struggle to do, leave it and return to it later. 10. Be positive It is very easy when you are revising to get despondent and to think about all the things you cannot do or find difficult. It happens to us all. You must look back at your original plan, from time to time, and realise the progress you have made. With determination and the right approach, you can succeed! |
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