Exam Hints
What is studying?
Studying has 3 parts
Organising subject matter efficiently
Getting ongoing day to day work and assignments
done
Researching and revising work for exams
Some ideas to help you prepare
• Try to work to a Revision Timetable
• Start planning well before exams begin
• Make your Books, Notes and Essays user friendly
with Summary Notes, Headings,Sub-Headings
and Revision Cards
• Use Key Words and / or
Mindmaps
• Get tips on other revision
techniques from others
• Don’t make study sessions too long
• Drink some water before you start
• Break tasks down into smaller manageable ones
• Make summaries of work covered in class in your own words
under Main Points or Ideas
• Set a task to achieve for each study session
• Practise skills learned by doing problems, exercises and
essays
• Aim to build a clear understanding by connecting areas of
knowledge
COUNTDOWN to the EXAMS
In the run up to your exams, try and adopt a more
disciplined attitude
Your performance in the exam is important
Look at them positively as an opportunity to
demonstrate your understanding
Social Life :
• Put this on hold
• Reduce parties, nights out etc.
• Plan your rewards you will give yourself after the
exams
Exercise :
• Walk or jog daily to reduce the pressure
• It clears the mind and encourages positive thoughts
Distractions :
Eliminate noise
EXAM PREPARATION
The secrets to success:
• Be prepared
• Don’t leave anything to chance
Know exactly what is required for each exam
• Understand each subject
• Quiz your teachers
• Know your exam format
Multiple choice
Short answer
Essays
How many questions
EXAM PREPARATION
Around the house put up lists of
• Key facts
• Formulae
• Quotes
• Examples
Recite them aloud when you see them
Do past papers under exam conditions
• Identify areas of weakness and address them
• Become comfortable with the vocabulary used
• Perfect the pace you must work at
• Your timing is critical
EXAM PREPARATION
Test your knowledge and understanding
• Discuss it, explain it
• Justify it with friends
• Question each other
List any improvements needed
• Work through them systematically
• Retest your knowledge
Be thorough and focused – have a Study Timetable in your
study area
Marking Your External Assessments
Grade Score Marking
Question 3
a)
Not Achieved
Achieved
b)
Merit
Excellence
c)
Blank
N0
One tiny piece of information
N1
Not quite enough to get Achieved N2
Just an Achieved
A very Good Achieved
Just got a Merit
A very good Merit
Just got an Excellence
A very strong Excellence
A3
A4
M5
M6
E7
E8
For a three question paper.
You must write something for every
question.
SITTING EXAMS
• Put a copy of your Exam Timetable in a place where
your family can double check times and dates
• Take a bottle of water to the exam
• Arrive in plenty time before the exam, but don’t be too
early
• Don’t listen to music beforehand – the songs will play
on your mind
• Have a watch and the necessary equipment
• Be relaxed and focused – your preparation has you
ready for your exam
EXAM TECHNIQUE
Reading Time
• Read the paper through
• Plan your approach
• Identify questions you can do immediately
• Put the questions in the order you wish to do them
• Your confidence will build with more difficult questions
The Exam itself
• Start on straight forward questions
• Don’t dwell on those you can’t do
• Move on
When you are in the exam focus on the ‘NOW’. Don’t think of the past or the
future. (Dr Taylor) – c/o Mr Ritchie
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Use reading time effectively
Underline / highlight key words and phrases
Do plans - do they address the questions?
But don’t spend too much time on planning
Make sure that you have filled in all the details
During the answer, consider how well it answers the
question
Stay alert – don’t daydream
Don’t panic if short on time – note the main points
If you finish early, check your work thoroughly
Never leave early
Cross out any answer if it is not required
Write neatly and legibly
Study
And
Exam
Tips
Don’t
Work
Unless
You
Do!
There are no secrets to success. It is
the result of preparation, hard work
and learning from failure.