Preparing for exams
Being prepared
There are three key aspects to feeling well-prepared and confident about exams: systematic revision during the semester, thoughtful use of pre-exam time, and a planned approach to each exam.Effective revision
Revision is most effective when it is on-going, so avoid cramming. You need to manage your study time wisely, so develop a plan that builds in revision sessions for each subject.
Make active choices about what topic/sub-topic you will focus on during your planned revision sessions. Develop study notes by bundling the information you have on separate topics and preparing summary notes. Your summaries should include the important facts (concepts, definitions, etc.) under appropriate headings and sub-headings. These notes will be the key in helping you to remember the material.
Find out the type of questions involved in each exam (multiple choice, short answer, essay or combination thereof) and then develop appropriate revision strategies.
Pre-exam time
Obtain your exam timetable as soon as possible. Plan how you are going to use the time before the first exam and between each exam. Make sure your study plan relates to the order of exams and that each subject receives appropriate attention according to the value of each exam. Drawing up a detailed study timetable (daily and/or weekly) may help you with your time management.
The exam
Good preparation will give you confidence that you know the necessary material. A positive and systematic approach to the exam/s will enable you to effectively transmit that knowledge to the examiner/s. Find out about the structure and length of the exam/s, including reading time and the type of questions asked. You can decide before you sit the exam/s exactly how you are going to use the reading time, in what order you will complete the questions and how long to spend on each section. Consider the techniques you might use to help you to cope with such things as mental blocks and nervousness.