PREPARING FOR EXAMS: BEFORE THE EXAM - NOTES FOR LEARNERS
Assess how well you are prepared
- Write down what you are good at/weak at
- Note priorities to work on eg topics, knowledge
- Be aware of your strengths and use them eg knowledge, interests
- Draw up a revision plan
- Work on areas of concern eg how to write essays, summarising
Regular revision sessions are important
- Each study session should begin with a review of the last one
- Review at the end of each week, month, term and school year
- Frequent review sessions benefit recall significantly
Revise using your own notes
- Shorten notes if necessary to condensed form for final revision
- Use different kinds of notes eg linear, visual, mind maps
Revise in different ways
- Ask yourself questions about the subject matter
- Talk about the subject with someone else
- Look over previous exam papers
- Answering questions orally improves recall
- Be active and avoid monotony – read, write, talk, listen on tape etc
- Write notes and outlines for possible questions and essays
Short bursts of activity are best
- Plan sessions of 50 minutes revision and 10 minutes break
- Break sessions into 20 minutes for study and 5 minutes for rest
- Give yourself a reward at the close of study sessions
Find out about the exam
- Length of exam
- Topics to include for revision
- Subjects and questions likely to come up
- Types of questions eg essay, multiple choice, problems
- Degree of choice
- Expected level of performance for particular grades
Seek help and advice
- Your teacher can offer advice on your strengths/weaknesses, goals for revision, topics, notes and approaches
- Discuss your learning with classmates and friends
- Parents can support in various ways eg quiet surroundings, encouragement and assistance, taking an interest
PREPARING FOR EXAMS; ON THE DAY - NOTES FOR LEARNERS
Equipment
- Check that you have the necessary equipment for the exam – pens, pencils, rubber, calculator, a watch or clock etc
- Check in advance with your teacher if specialised equipment is needed.
Time and place
- Make sure that you know when the exam starts and finishes and where it will take place
- Arrive in good time
Dealing with anxiety
- A degree of anxiety is a good thing
- Good preparation will improve your confidence and help to keep you calm
- Think positively – expect to do well
- Slow, regular deep breathing will help to control nerves
Getting started
- Listen to and read instructions carefully. Don’t forget to complete the necessary personal details eg name, seat number
- Take a few minutes to scan the exam paper
- Check which questions are optional / compulsory
- Where there is choice cross out questions you can’t attempt
- Select questions you feel you will answer best
- Allocate time for dealing with each question based on marks value
- Remember to leave some time at the end for checking your answers
- Jot down brief notes relating to the questions
- Start with the easy items to build your confidence
During the exam
- Focus on one question at a time
- Read the question carefully. Think about what is being asked for
- Match your response to the value of the question eg a question worth 5 marks could require 5 ideas in the answer
- Make notes about the key points you will include in your response
- Make sure that:
· facts are accurate
· arguments are clear and logical
· graphs are well labelled
· handwriting is neat and legible
- Keep a check on the time
Finishing off
- Make sure that:
· You have answered the necessary questions
· You write quick notes for final questions if running short of time
· You read through your answers checking your ideas, spelling etc
