How to
Successfully
Prepare for Your
EXAMS
Five Steps to be successful on
your EXAMS
Step One- Believe in Yourself
Step Two- Get Organized
Step Three- Manage Your Time
Step Four- Study Smart
Step Five- Exam Taking Strategies
Step One- Believe in Yourself!
A. It is important to have a
positive mindset!
B. Recognize your strengths
and weaknesses.
C. Set realistic goals. Know
your current marks!
“ To succeed, we must first believe that we can.”
Michael Korda
Step Two- Get Organized
HOW???
A.
Notes

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Keep course notes together & separate
from other courses
Put notes in chronological order
Ensure you have all resources
(e.g.,textbook, calculator, tests etc.)
Classmates phone number
B. Exam Schedule
Be sure to find the following information
ahead of time and record in your Calander!!
Course Code:________ Section: __
Date: ________ Time: ____ Rm: ___
Step Three- Manage Your Time
Avoid CRAMMING!
Create a STUDY SCHEDULE
•
- What time of day do you learn
•
best?
- What activities do you have to
work around?
- How many exams do you
have?
- How much time exists from
now until exams?
Be realistic!
Step Four- Study Smart
Use a COMBINATION of STUDY METHODS E.g.,
discuss aloud, use flash cards, charts, listen to
tapes, etc.
 DO NOT just read over your notes!
Review the material 3 X's using different
methods.
REMEMBER:
You are trying to
organize the
INFORMATION in
your HEAD!!!
Step Four: Study Smart
“Students learn 10% of what they read, 20%
of what they hear, 30% of what they see,
50% of what they see & hear, 70% of what
is discussed with others, 80% of what they
experience personally, & 95% of what they
teach to someone else.”
William Glasser
Step Four- Study Smart
How to Study for Exams
1.
2.
3.
4.
Know what is going to be on the exam.
Organize the material needed to be studied into
40 minutes portions. Take a break after each
portion.
We learn best at the ‘start & end’ of a study session
When reviewing a topic ask yourself, Who, What,
When, Where, Why & How.
Pay close attention during EXAM REVIEW.
Step Four- Study Smart
How to Study for Exams
5.
6.
7.
If you have a Textbook, review bold terms.
If you have a Review Sheet, complete it.
Write down any names, dates, formulas,
definitions or facts that need to be memorized on
an index card. Continue reviewing the information
until the exam.
Before an EXAM!!
.
Eat well & be well rested. Do NOT
watch TV or play computer games
before going to bed prior to the exam.
LAST minute studying
and Cramming does not
HELP. So make sure
that you have had
enough SLEEP!
Step Five: Exam Taking Strategies

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Show up 10 minutes early
Lockers
Go to the washroom
Have everything you need with you
Dress appropriately (Warm outside but cool inside)
Books, bags, coats are left at the front of the room
Write facts, formulas at the top of the exam A.S.A.P.
Read over the exam and develop a plan
(E.g., Determine the amount of time you need to spend on each
section of the exam and start with the questions you know)



Return to the questions you are not sure of
Take the time to check your answers before you
finish
Write your name on the top of each page
STEP FIVE: EXAM TAKING STRATEGIES
A)
True and False Questions:

Read the statement carefully.
For a statement to be true,
every part of it must be true.
Be cautious of the words
ALWAYS and NEVER in a
statement!
'Absolutes' are often incorrect
answers

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B) Multiple Choice Questions:




Hide the answers and answer the question
without looking at any of the options. Then
look for your answer.
Read the STEM of the question with each of
the possible answers.
If you are not sure of an answer, eliminate
the choices you know are incorrect by
crossing them out, and then make an
educated guess.
'Absolutes' are often incorrect answers
Eg., never, always, every, etc.
C) Essay Questions:
Start with the question you know most about!
 First brainstorm, then organize information.
 Be neat and write in complete sentences.
 Paragraph One - state the question and tell the
reader what they can expect to learn from the essay.
 Middle Paragraphs - present examples, details,
evidence, and facts to support the points you are
making.
 Final Paragraph-restate your position along with a
quick summary.
D) Short Answers

Keep your answer simple and to the
point. Do not re-state the question!

Be neat and write in complete
sentences.

Use the marks allotted as a guide to
how many valid points you need to
include in your answer!
“If we did all the things we are capable of doing,
we would literally astonish ourselves.”
Thomas Edison