Exam preparation is often directly correlated with your exam performance. No matter how much we dislike sitting exams, we are all bound to face them. From my personal experience, I have found that with the correct method of revision and exam preparation, I would have a much better exam performance. Here are 5 useful tips on how to tackle exam preparation to be able to achieve optimum results.
1. Leave enough time
We may have a tendency to leave things until the last minute. However, try to avoid leaving exam preparation to the last minute. This would be a very ineffective way of preparing. It is almost never possible to complete the whole syllabus in just one night. Therefore, for a good exam performance, leaving enough time for revision is crucial. Try to start revision as early as a month before, especially for subjects that you are less confident in, or the ones that you have done a long time ago and may not have revisited since. In addition, don’t forget to spread the workload throughout the length of your revision time.
2. Organise your work space
If you are surrounded by distractions, such as video games and your I-phone, it will be much harder for you to concentrate. Try to organise your study space, sit in a comfortable chair, find a nice environment – preferably away from noise. Exam preparation requires organisation of work space and physical environment.
3. Organise study groups
Ever since I started university, I have gained so much value studying in groups and found exam preparation to be a more enjoyable experience this way too. I’ve also found that group-work is a lot more effective during exam preparation. When I come across something that I am not sure, I can ask other people which can save me hours of struggling on the problem, trying to find the right solution, with most of the time ending in failure to do so. Also, when we are surrounded by people that are working, we tend to do the same.
4. Take breaks
It is scientifically proven that our brain has a set amount of time of focus; a limited amount of willpower throughout the day. After that time, the brain needs a break, and any more time spent on exam preparation may not be resourceful. Try to have a short break every 30 to 45 minutes, and you’ll find that you’ll be learning faster than 2 hour straight of work.
5. Attempt past papers
I remember when I was doing my A-levels, past papers were a crucial part of my exam preparation. Revision using past papers is especially helpful if you are a GSCE/A-level student, as it allows you to get used to the format of the questions (which can vary depending on exam board) and to know which are the most important topics. It is also recommended to time yourself while doing past papers, as it is good practice for making sure that the right amount of time is spent on each question. And remember, always leave time to go through your paper!
By Lisa Z, Private Tutor London
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