Step 7

Preparing for Tests &

Exams

Some of the most intelligent, hardest-working and deserving students do all the studying and revising brilliantly, but fail to do themselves justice in exams.

Some let exam stress get to them, others just underperform.

There’s no doubt that the more times you go through exams, the better you get, but a few simple tips can also help.

Preparing for Exams

Remember what we said in the section about making a study timetable…

Before the Exams

Remember what we said in the section about making a study timetable…

START AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE!!

Before the Exams

Remember what we said in the section about making a study timetable…

START AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE!!

A small increase in effort for a decent period of time will take a lot of pressure off you at the end.

Before the Exams

Ask the teacher questions beforehand:

How long will the test be?What format will it take?Will there be any revision classes?What are the most important things you should be studying?Will any more notes be given prior to the exam?

Before the Exams

When studying: Recite, Write, Visualise

RECITEDescribe or explain topics out loud. Put them into your own words.Imagine you’re teaching the information to somebody else

Before the Exams

WRITEMake chapter review flashcards.Rewrite notes. Write out summaries of the important points.

VISUALISEClose your eyes and try to picture the information – a chart, diagram, word, map, time or experiment.

Before the Exams

Some people like to put in a big extra last burst of study. Some prefer to relax and clear their head. You need to find what works best for you, and then follow that practice.

Get a good rest the night before. Doesn’t matter if you can’t sleep – even lying in bed gets you well-rested.

Follow your usual routine in the morning – don’t let yourself get flustered.

The 24 hours before an exam

Eat a good, nutritious breakfast.Give yourself positive, reassuring

statements eg: “you know you’ve worked hard, you can do this!”

The 24 hours before an exam

Plan a routine that allows you stay calm and productive.

Don’t get to the exam room too early as waiting around can start you worrying too much.

Make sure you have all the materials you need and spares of the really essential stuff (pens, etc)

Avoid students who’ll ask you questions before the exam, or whose behaviour increases your own anxiety.

Know the timing of the exam, and make sure to be on time for it.

Immediately before an exam

1. Follow the test procedures carefully. Has the teacher asked you to do anything special?

2. Read the directions carefully. You may want to underline the important parts.

3. You may like to unload information from your brain to the back of the exam paper.

4. Label all parts of your exam paper. Don’t forget your name!

During the Exam

5. Start with an easy question to get yourself going smoothly.6. Then tackle the questions with the highest marks7. As you answer other questions, be mindful of the clock. Pace yourself so that you have a decent time for each question.8. If you get bogged down in a question, put a check mark against it and go back to it later. Don’t spend all your time on one question!

During the Exam

9. When you’re finished, it can feel like an awful bore to double-check your

answers, but it will get you extra marks.10. When you double-check, re-read the

questions as well, to make sure your answers are relevant to the exact

question that has been asked.11. Avoid “ditheritis”! Don’t chop and change your answers unless you’re absolutely sure they were wrong the first time.12. If you make corrections, leave the original work (in brackets) – in case it was right!

During the Exam

Spoil yourself! Reward yourself with a treat. Many people like to undertake some physical exercise. Get the exam out of your system.

Avoid people who want to undertake an in-depth post mortem of every part of the exam. It’ll only freak you out. If you got the question wrong, so be it – there’s nothing you can do now.

After a break, start revising for the next exam.

After the Exam

When all the exams are over, even if you don’t realise it, you’re going to be very, very tired.

Don’t feel you have to get back to study the week afterwards – you’d be far better off just chilling and recovering, getting plenty of physical exercise to clear the head. This way, you’ll come back refreshed and ready to start another bout of study with energy and enthusiasm.

After a set of exams