COUNTDOWN TO EXAMS - STUDY HINTS

PLAN YOUR TIME

The key to effective study is organisation. Make decisions about how you are going to organise your life. Make sure you schedule time for:
• study
• leisure
• activities
• rest
• food
• exercise

REVISION

Revising work will be the most profitable if you summarise and underline key points rather than just reading over your work. Try to revise two to three subjects every day. The five basic steps to help effective remembering:

1. Make a conscious effort to remember.
2. Get the meaning clear.
3. Learn by doing.
4. Organise good notes and summarise.
5. Revise.

METHODS OF STUDY FOR THE LAST WEEK

A special timetable

Work actively

Practice recall

Prepare summaries

Plan answers

Practise writing

EXAMINATION TECHNIQUE

Nervousness…
Everyone gets exam “jitters.” Don’t try fighting these as this will increase the tension. Accept that feeling nervous at this point is normal and it will enable you to write quickly and concentrate.

The day before the exam…
Have a steady relaxed preparation. Go through your summaries as this can reduce tension and boost confidence. Don’t study late the night before. Get everything organised for the next day then get a good night’s rest.

On the day…
• avoid last minute cramming with other students
• skim the paper at the beginning of the exam
• allocate available time
• read the questions carefully
• underline key words
• spend a few minutes writing a plan for extended responses
• write legibly and quickly
• show working for mathematical questions
• jot down ideas that flash into your mind
• leave a space if you have a blocked thought
• never omit a whole question
• always use all the available time
• proof read and check calculations

After the exam…
Avoid a prolonged post-mortem. Mulling over whether you did this or that can only interfere with preparation for your next exam.