Step 7
Preparing for
Tests & Exams
Preparing for 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.
Before the 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
RECITE
Describe or explain topics out loud. Put them
into your own words.
Imagine you’re teaching the information to
somebody else
Before the Exams
WRITE
Make chapter review flashcards.
Rewrite notes.
Write out summaries of the important points.
VISUALISE
Close your eyes and try to picture the
information – a chart, diagram, word, map, time
or experiment.
The 24 hours before an
exam
 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!”
Immediately 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.
During the Exam
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!
1.
During the Exam
5.
Start with an easy question to get
yourself
going smoothly.
6.
Then tackle the questions with the
highest
marks
7.
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!
After 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 indepth 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 a set of exams
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.