Exam tips – after the exam

It is easy to fall into the trap of wondering how well you performed and to discuss this with your fellow students. Your time would be better spent looking ahead to your next examination.

§  Don’t panic – you won’t be the only student who is anxious about their answers

§  Don’t compare your answers with those of other students – this can create negative feelings

§  Have some fresh air and food and take time to relax before you start revising

§  Don’t rush to your textbooks to check your answers – there is no point at this stage

§  Focus on the next exam and how you might improve your exam technique

§  Have a quick look at your revision plan. Do you need to adjust it?

§  Think positive!

Source: University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, 2012, Revision Tips [Online] Available from: http://www.cambridgestudents.org.uk/examtime/revisiontips/

Exam tips – sitting the exam

Be prepared; find out what is involved in each of the examinations that you are going to sit. Organize yourself the night before and get plenty of sleep.

§  Check you have the correct equipment with you before you leave the house (pens pencils, ruler, scientific calculator, etc)

§  Do take a watch or clock so that you can time your answers

§  Leave for the exam in plenty of time

§  Look through the paper first and mark difficult questions/initial thoughts

§  Select the questions that will best enable you to demonstrate your knowledge to the examiner

§  Look at the marks available and read the questions carefully, following instructions given in the paper (e.g. to show all workings, word limits etc)

§  Use the information provided on the paper (the answer’s often nearly all there)

§  Pace yourself and allow enough time to answer all the required questions

§  Write as neatly as possible to help the examiner to mark your work. Marking untidy writing is difficult

§  For longer answers, take a few minutes before you begin to produce a structured plan of what you are going to include in each section

§  Allow yourself ten minutes at the end to read through your answers and correct any mistakes

§  Cross out anything you do not want the examiner to read (e.g. an earlier answer to a question)

Source: University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, 2012, Revision Tips [Online] Available from: http://www.cambridgestudents.org.uk/examtime/revisiontips/

Dealing with exam nerves

Source:  http://frobinett.edublogs.org/files/2011/01/test_anxiety-1748t65.gif 

It is natural to feel nervous before an examination. The more prepared you feel, the easier it will be to conquer your fears.

ü  Create a revision plan to help you feel in control of the process

ü  Plan your work carefully around the topics you need to focus on. Being aware of gaps in your knowledge can create nerves, but having a plan of how you will fill these will make you feel better.

ü  Find out what is involved in the exam:

o    where and when it will take place

o    how much time is allowed

o    how many questions you need to answer

ü  Think positive

ü  Keep the exam in context – even if you do badly, there will be other options open to you

ü  Allow yourself some fun-time each day to relax

Eat sensibly – your brain cells need energy to function well. Make sure you drink plenty of water to avoid becoming dehydrated. Dehydration makes you tired and reduces concentration

Source: University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, 2012, Revision Tips [Online] Available from: http://www.cambridgestudents.org.uk/examtime/revisiontips/

Last-minute revision tips

ü  Although time may be short, you can still make a difference to your grade. Try and prioritize; do what you can.

ü  Use your revision tools (prompts, diagrams etc) to check final facts

ü  Keep calm and consolidate your existing knowledge rather than trying to learn new topics

ü  Don’t stay up all night revising; being overtired will not help you to do your best

 Source: University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, 2012, Revision Tips [Online] Available from: http://www.cambridgestudents.org.uk/examtime/revisiontips/