Days and weeks before the
exam
1.1 How to revise
One of the most important
factors in exam success is knowing when to start your revision. Many people put
it off until the last minute and then panic. They won't do very well!
It is much better to start
too early than too late. You have the option of taking days off here and there
if you start early but if you start late then you will find it very difficult
to make up the time.
The main methods of
revision tend to be either reading through the subject, writing notes on the
subject, doing past questions and exam papers or a mixture of all three. Each
of these methods has its good and its bad points but none of them provide a
foolproof method of making sure you know everything you need to know. In the
next chapter I describe my '100% Revision Method' which I have used and
consider to be one of the best. Give it a try and see what you think.
But first some revision
tips...
Don't let people tell you
how to revise. Your lecturers are bound to make suggestions and some may be
quite insistent that you follow their methods to the letter. Take their advice
by all means but if you find a method of revising that suits you and seems to
work then stick to it. Only you are in a position to decide on the method that
suits you best.
Start your revision at
least 2-3 months before your exams are due to start. This will ensure that you
won't have a last minute rush and you will be able to take the odd day off
without upsetting your revision programme.
Don't spend hours and hours
a day revising. If you start in plenty of time then two to three hours of
revision a day should be ample to get you prepared for the exams.
Be disciplined in your work
and don't keep putting your revision off. If you find it difficult to get down
to work then set aside a couple of hours at the same time each day for revision
and make sure you stick to them whatever happens. If necessary get a friend or
relative to make sure you keep at it. Making your work part of a regular routine
makes it easier to get it done and out of the way rather than having it hanging
over you all day.
The human mind is only
capable of concentrating and absorbing information efficiently for 30-45
minutes at a time. So revise for a bit, then take a short break, then do
another spell of revision, then break again and so on. This will be much more
effective than sitting down and trying to work for hours upon end. Remember the
quality of your revision is just as important as the quantity.
Be wary of revision timetables.
You certainly shouldn't spend hours designing one as I've seen some people do.
Personally I'm not keen on revision timetables because people generally
allocate equal amounts of time to each subject without thinking about how much
work really needs to be done. In practice you will find that some subjects need
less work whilst others need more. For instance you may be very good at Maths
and find it easy but not so good when it comes to learning foreign vocabulary.
As you revise you will also find that the time you think you need to spend on a
subject will vary as you hit and subsequently overcome problems. By all means
use a timetable to discipline yourself into doing the revision but be flexible
with the times allocated to each subject.
Make sure that the subjects
you are less fond of get just as much, if not more attention than those you
like. The very fact that you dislike a subject probably means that you aren't
very good at it. If anything you should leave your favourite subjects to last.
A small amount of daily
revision adds up to a large amount over a period of time. For example, if you
are learning vocabulary for a foreign language exam then to learn 100 new words
in one go is very difficult where as learning 3 or 4 words a day for a month takes
virtually no time at all, (especially if you make use of spare moments on the
bus or in the car).
Try and create the right
atmosphere in which to work. Bright lights and loud music can only be a
distraction but subtle lighting, (e.g. a desk lamp with other lights turned
down), and, if you like music, then something playing quietly in the
background, can help concentrate the mind on the work in front of you and block
out other distractions.
Many people will tell you
that you can't work effectively with music playing. I would dispute this - I
always had background music on whilst I was revising simply because it added a
bit of interest to a very tedious task. I believe that if you make the process
of revising more pleasant then it can only be beneficial in the long run.
Similarly if you have favourite foods then feel free to occasionally 'snack
out' whilst revising. Once again the better you feel, the better you will work.
Split each subject into
different topics for revision purposes. For example Physics topics might be
electrical circuits, wave motion, Newton's laws etc. Revise each topic
separately, (although some may overlap). In the exam questions will often be
put together in much the same way. Having revised topic by topic you will find
it easier to recall the points relevant to your answer. This revision technique
really becomes useful when tackling more complex questions since it enables you
to think clearly about the different subject areas involved.
Make as much use as
possible of past exam questions, assignments, homework and tests. Every time
you work through a question you are rehearsing for the exam and increasing your
understanding of the subject, as well as fixing the vital points more firmly in
your memory.
Try and get used to the way
in which questions are asked by looking through past papers. Try to work out
exactly what they are looking for in the answer. Working through model answers,
(which your lecturer will hopefully be able to provide), is an extremely
effective way of finding out exactly what the examiner is looking for in order
to award full marks for the question.
Try and make use of a
variety of sources of information in your revision of a subject, e.g.
textbooks, library books, revision aids etc. This will give you a different
viewpoint of the subject and can often help you make sense of things that were
previously puzzling you.
Find out the format of the
exam. For instance how many papers are there, how many questions you will have
to answer, what sort of questions to expect - essay, multiple choice, short
answer etc. Most of this information can be obtained from your lecturers and
from past papers but you could also try ringing the examination board and
asking them. (Remember that these things change from year to year). The more you
know about the exam beforehand, the less of a surprise it will be on the day
which immediately improves your chances of doing well.
Find out what information
you will be supplied with in the exam. For example you are often supplied with
mathematical tables and formulae. It is silly to waste time learning things
which you will find you are given in the exam.
If you know the examiner,
i.e. it is an internal exam and your teacher or lecturer is setting or marking
the exam, then try and find out their views on the subject, or their favourite
topics. Browse through any books they may have written. It is amazing how many
hints and tips you can pick up if you keep your eyes and ears open. They often
drop them themselves simply because they want their students to do well. They
sometimes don't even realise they're doing it! Listen out for phrases such as
"don't worry - it's not important" or "you won't be tested on
this" and take notice. Remember that this person is setting or marking
your exam.
If possible revise all your
subjects fully - every time you leave something out of your revision you risk
the chance of losing marks. Many exam questions are designed to cover a number
of topics. If you haven't revised fully then you could find yourself unable to
complete a question or even worse, completely unable to attempt a question.
This automatically makes it more difficult for you to do well.
Never base your revision on
predictions of questions. Whilst you might occasionally be lucky this is a
guaranteed way of doing badly. Try to do as much general revision as possible -
then you can predict questions all you like because you will be capable of
answering them all. Predicting questions and using the prediction to determine
what you revise will limit the number of questions you are able to answer if
your predictions turn out to be wrong. Remember that when the exam is set the
examiners take no notice of the questions asked in previous years and therefore
the idea that if a certain topic didn't appear last year means that it will
appear this year is completely unfounded. The only sure way of doing well is to
revise fully.
Beware of revising at the
last minute. If you have to then it means that your revision programme has not
been completed and that you don't feel confident about what you have already
revised. Unfortunately last minute revision is not normally terribly beneficial
apart for fixing a few facts into your short-term memory. Your time at this
stage is much better spent casually reading through the revision notes you have
already made and mentally preparing for the exam rather than starting on
something new. The shear stress of trying to learn something new so close to
the exam will just heighten your anxiety and make you nervous. The more you try
to learn, the more you will find you don't know and the more anxious you will
become. So start your revision in plenty of time and keep an eye on your
progress. Anything else is self-destructive.
Summary
Start your revision early.
Plan your revision and monitor your progress.
Revise regularly for a few hours at a time.
Be disciplined.
Create a good atmosphere in which to work.
Revise each subject topic by topic.
Make use of as many sources of information as
possible.
Listen out for hints and tips.
Revise each subject completely.
Avoid last minute revision.
1.2 The '100% Revision Method'
OK, so nothing is 100%,
least of all the guarantee that you can revise in such a way that you can cope
with every eventuality in your exams. However over my years of exam-taking I
have developed this method of revising and I believe it to be one of the best
ways of making sure that your understanding and knowledge of a particular
subject is as good as it can possibly be. Give it a try and see what you think.
The method relies on having access to a number of past examination papers as
well as any questions you were set as part of the course - the more you can get
hold of, the better this method works. In scientific or mathematical exams it
is also useful to have correct or 'model' answers to the questions, or at the
very least to know the correct answers. Your lecturer or tutor should be able
to help if you have any difficulty in getting hold of anything.
The '100% Revision Method'
works by condensing your course-work into a few concise pages of revision
notes. Using only these notes to help you, you attempt answering some relevant
questions on the subject. Every time you get stuck you make a note of the
problem. As your problem list grows you ask your lecturer or tutor to help sort
out the problems. Eventually you should be able to answer all available
questions on the subject using only your concise revision notes. If you now
commit the notes to memory then you should be in a pretty good position to
answer the questions that come up in the exam. Sounds complicated? In fact it's
very simple. Let me guide you through step by step:-
For each subject you will
need two pieces of paper - one headed 'Revision Notes' and the other headed
'Problems'.
Divide each subject into
different topics. For example Physics topics could be Newton's laws of motion
or electrical circuits whilst topics in geography could be weather systems or
market gardening etc.
Choose a particular topic
to revise. Write an appropriate sub-heading on your two sheets. Now read
through your course-work and textbooks relevant to the topic that you've chosen
making 'Revision Notes' of the vital points. Also make a note of anything you
don't understand on the 'Problems' sheet.
Now attempt answering some
questions related to the topic without looking anything up, i.e. under exam
conditions. These may be questions you did as part of your course or they could
be from past exam papers - preferably you should use a combination of both.
If you get stuck at any
point then refer to the 'Revision Notes' for help. If you are still stuck
having looked at the 'Revision Notes' then refer to your course-work or
textbooks for help. If these help you then make a note of the points you found
useful on your 'Revision Notes'. However if you remain stuck and unable to
complete the question then make a note of how far you've got on your 'Problems'
sheet. Also note down the points you are having difficulty in understanding.
When you've finished a
particular subject you will be left with two sets of notes. Take your
'Problems' sheet along to your lecturer, tutor or anyone else who could help
you and go through the problem areas one by one until you understand them. Once
you've sorted out the problems you can make another attempt at the questions,
again making revision and problem notes where appropriate. Keep repeating this
cycle until you have sorted out all your problems with the subject.
You should now be able to
answer all the questions using only your 'Revision Notes' for assistance. All
that you need to do now is to memorise these notes and you should hopefully be
in a position to answer all the exam questions.
I personally have found
this method of revision to be one of the most efficient and effective. Try it
for yourself and hopefully you will find that it works well for you too.
Summary
Divide each subject into topics
Make 'Revision Notes' and note down any problems
Attempt to answer questions on the subject
When you get completely stuck make a note of the
problem
Get someone to help you make sense of your problem
areas
Memorise Your 'Revision Notes'
1.3 Memory techniques
Spending hour upon hour
revising a subject is all well and good but if only a little bit of it sticks
in your memory then it really is a soul-destroying process as well as a waste
of time. There are a number of techniques that can be used to make things
easier to remember. For example, just reading through your notes is fairly
ineffective simply because your mind strays elsewhere but making notes will
condense your course-work into something far more concise and easier to
remember. The very fact that you are writing it down will also help to fix it
more firmly in your memory.
Here are some techniques
you can use to help commit those years of work to memory and at the end of the
chapter I'll show you how I used some of them to commit to memory part of the
periodic table for my Chemistry 'A' level.
It is far easier to commit
things to memory if you do it a little bit at a time. So make use of every
spare moment you get to do small bits of learning. For example, in the five
minutes you spend waiting at the bus stop you could learn five new foreign
words or memorise a couple of lines of a poem. Five new foreign words a day is
150 in a month and seeing as the time at the bus-stop is normally wasted you
will have put it to an extremely good use.
Whatever you want to
memorise whether it is a poem, part of a play or a scientific proof it is a lot
easier if you actually understand it. The very process of going through
something and understanding it automatically makes the memorising process
easier. For example, if you can't understand a foreign language then learning
even a simple sentence is difficult. But if you understand the language enough
to make sense of the sentence and suddenly it becomes much easier to remember.
Make as much use of colour
as possible. A set of notes is generally pretty dull and boring to look at. A
multicoloured set of notes jumps off the page at you - the various points stand
out simply because they are in a different colour. You will often find that if
you shut your eyes just after looking at the notes for a little while you will
still be able to picture them in your mind. In other words you have already
partially committed them to memory. If you shut your eyes in the exam you
should hopefully be able to recall specific notes in the same way. You can
reinforce this visual memory technique even more by writing sideways or at an
angle or perhaps in different styles. The more interesting and exciting
something is to look at, the easier it will be to remember.
Try and visualise what you
are trying to learn as much as possible. For instance, when learning a poem or
a piece of text, picture the scene in your mind as you read each line. This
makes recall much easier than simply trying to learn the words.
Stick large coloured
notices on your walls listing things you want to memorise. Put little notes by
the kettle and the telephone. As you sit and work and glance at the wall or as
you speak on the 'phone you will see these notes and gradually the picture of
them will become fixed in your mind. You will soon find that by closing your
eyes you will be able to visualise the 'phone with the note beside it and will
be able to recall what was written on the note. Once again notice how the use
of colour crops up to make mental pictures easier to remember and recall.
Use silly word associations
when you need to memorise foreign words, technical terms, biological or
chemical terminology etc. etc. For instance, I can still remember a German word
that I learnt in 2 seconds flat ten years ago. The word is Rathaus meaning
town-hall and I remembered it by picturing a grand town-hall like building with
rats running all over the place, like in the Pied-Piper story. The more bizarre
the word association the easier it is to remember.
Make use of rhymes and silly
phrases as much as possible. Often you will have been taught a silly rhyme in a
lesson. As an example, if I were to ask you to name the months with only 30
days you would probably resort to the rhyme - "30 days has September,
April, June and November." Another such rhyme is "i before e except
after c." If you need to learn a group of words, perhaps they are the
labels on a diagram, then grouping them together in a way in which they form a
rhyme or can be sung immediately makes them more memorable. The next time you
have to learn a poem try fitting the words to a song you know and like.
Test yourself or get others
to test you regularly. Whatever you are trying to learn self-testing not only
checks your knowledge but also continues to fix things more firmly in your
memory.
If you need to learn
something off by heart parrot-fashion then the best way of going about it is to
split it into small sections. For example, if you are committing a poem to
memory split it into 4 line sections, (unless of course it is already in, short
verses). Learn the poem section by section. When you've learnt the first move
on to the second, then to the third and so on. Most people don't automatically
work this way - they tend to start at the beginning and learn a few lines, go back
to the beginning, repeat what they've just learnt and learn the next couple of
lines. The trouble with this is that you spend an awful lot of time repeating
the early parts. Admittedly this fixes them in your memory but it does also
mean that the further you go through the text, the fewer times you've been over
it and the less well you will have memorised it. Working section by section
ensures that each piece of text is learnt as well as the last.
Memorising lists of words,
(e.g. labels on a diagram), can be made easier by taking the initial letter of
each word and making a silly sentence out of them. For example, consider a
diagram of a human with the labels head, neck, arm, stomach, leg and foot.
Taking the initial letters gives us H, N, A, S, Li and F. We can then make up a
sentence such as "Happy Nancy And Simon Love Figs", using the same
initial letters. This makes it much easier to remember the six initial letters
of the labels and when drawing the diagram in the exam this silly sentence will
help you to put them in the correct place and also help you remember what the
labels are. (Memorising labels in this way also makes it easier to draw the
diagram because these strange techniques all work hand in hand in fixing things
in your mind.)
Committing diagrams to
memory is easy if you continually draw them and test yourself. Always draw the
diagram in the same way each time, starting and finishing at the same point and
always putting the labels in the same position. This helps you to get to know
what the complete picture looks like. If the labels are in a different place
each time then you will simply confuse your visual memory. The continuous
drawing of the diagram in the same way time after time not only commits the
diagram to memory but also the drawing process itself. Simply by remembering
the 'funny squiggle' halfway through can jog your memory when recreating the
diagram which may in turn jog your memory to come up with an associated label.
Don't forget that use of colour will also help make your diagram more
memorable.
Finally let me take you
back to the days of my 'A' levels when we were told by our chemistry lecturer
to learn the first 33 elements of the periodic table. (I have to confess that
it was actually quite useful!). Let me take you through the methods I used to
remember it and I suggest you refer to the table below to make sense of what
I'm about to say.
| H |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
He |
| Li |
Be |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B |
C |
O |
F |
Ne |
| Na |
Mg |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Al |
P |
S |
Cl |
Ar |
| K |
Ca |
Sc |
Ti |
V |
Cr |
Mn |
Fe |
Co |
Ni |
Cu |
Zn |
Ga |
Ge |
S |
Br |
Kr |
The first thing I should
point out is that having studied chemistry for a few years I was aware of what
elements the symbols stood for and I was also confident that I knew the
positions of H, He, Li, Na, K, F, Cl and Br. This left me with 25 to learn.
First of all lets consider
the transition elements, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn. Initially just
learning these ten looks pretty daunting but this is how I went about it.
Taking Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn and saying it to myself it sounded like "Scatty v
Kreman", the 'v' being versus as in a football match, Scatty being a
'scatty' or scatterbrained person and Kreman,' another person who in fact was a
character in a sketch on a radio show I listened to at the time. (Do you remember
Captain Kreman on the Kenny Everett show?). So Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn becomes
"Scatty v Kreman".
Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn to
consider next and again saying it to myself I turned it into "Feconi
cousin". Feconi is a meaningless word but it stuck in my memory and Cu, Zn
sounded like 'cousin' to me.
Now lets consider the
vertical line, B, Al, Ga which I remembered since the initial letters spell
'bag'. The C next to B is simply the next letter in the alphabet and I
remembered that Ge came next to Ga simply because they both begin with 'G' and
again are in alphabetical order, (Ga coming before Ge). Simply thinking of
silly things like the fact that the elements were in alphabetical order made
them easier for me to remember. Consequently, as I wrote down the B and the Ga
my mind immediately recalled the C and Ge
Looking at the column now,
I had a friend nicknamed Oz, which sounds similar to OSSe. The Se goes next to
Ge since both their second letters are ' e'.
For Ne, Ar, Kr the initial
letters spell ' NAK' pronounced knack. The remaining elements then generally
came to mind as I worked out what was missing and I had no need for any further
memory aids at the time.
To test how well this
learning method worked I decided to see how much of the table I could still
remember nine years later. Here is what I came up with:-
| H |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
He |
| Li |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B |
C |
O |
F |
|
| Na |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Al |
|
S |
Cl |
|
| K |
|
Sc |
Ti |
V |
Cr |
Mn |
Fe |
Co |
Ni |
Cu |
Zn |
Ga |
Ge |
S |
Br |
|
Though I say so myself I
didn't do too badly considering I haven't glanced at a periodic table since my
exam nine years ago. I got 26 of the 33 elements correct, that's 78%. You will
also, note that I named no elements incorrectly, even in the gaps - I simply
couldn't remember the element. It is also noticeable that apart from the Ne,
Ar, Kr column the areas where I hadn't made use of a memory technique I found
it difficult or impossible to recall the element, (for instance the gap below
C).
I think I can safely say
that the results go to show how well memory methods work compared to straight
absorption learning. Obviously not all of these techniques will work for
everyone but try them out and adapt them to your own needs.
Summary
Learn small amounts at frequent intervals
Understanding something makes it easier to remember
Make your notes visually exciting, e.g. use colour
Visualise what you are memorising
Make use of rhymes, songs, word associations' etc.
Test yourself regularly
Hours and minutes before
the exam
2.1 The night before an exam
One of the most
important ways of ensuring you do well in an exam is to make sure you are
relaxed and refreshed before you start. This means getting a good nights sleep
beforehand.
As you may guess, on the
night before an exam a good nights sleep is not as easy to achieve as it
sounds. You will no doubt have been working hard revising for the exam for most
of the evening and your mind will be actively thinking things over. It will
also be focusing in on the areas of the subject that you are less sure about
hence making you want to work on later and later and maybe even through the
night. Stop!! Don't do it. You may feel that carrying on working will be to
your benefit but in most cases it will actually do more harm than good. An
alert mind is far more use to you in the exam than an exhausted one. Whilst you
may not know the subject as well as you might it really is too late now to do
anything about it. So make the best of the work you have done. The benefit of
your mind being active and alert far outweighs the value of any extra revision
you would have done late at night when you are already tired.
Whatever happens stop work
about 2 hours before you intend going to bed, (and don't make it too late!).
Put your books and notes away and spend some time winding down and relaxing.
Don't even let yourself think about the forthcoming exam - you've worked hard
for it and you will be OK. Watch some television, visit a friend, (but don't
discuss work), or perhaps read a book. It doesn't matter what you do as long as
you clear your mind of the work you've been doing.
When you've spent a couple
of hours relaxing you should be in a much better mental state of mind to get a
good nights sleep than if you had stopped working and gone straight to bed.
You may find that as you
lie in bed drifting off to sleep that you are unable to stop yourself thinking
about all the little problems you'd still like to sort out. If this happens
then make a note of what you want to do and set your alarm to wake you up an
hour early so that you can sort the problems out. (Don't get up any more than
an hour early - you'll tire yourself and destroy all the good that's been done
by a good night's sleep).
If you don't do anything
about these little problems then they will play on your mind and stop you
getting to sleep. If you write them down then your conscience will be clear as
you know you will be sorting things but in the morning. I always used to keep a
pen and paper by my bed for noting down any problems that came to me. I found
that quite often the very fact that I was in a position whereby I knew that any
problems would be dealt with helped me to relax and made my mind less active
anyway.
Make sure that the final
session of revision you do on the night before an exam is for the subject you
are to be examined in the following day. This gives your subconscious a chance
to chew things over while you're asleep and will ensure that you are better
mentally prepared for the following day. It follows that if you have an exam in
both the morning and the afternoon then your last session should be for the
subject of the morning exam.
Summary
Get a good nights sleep
Stop work at least 2 hours before going to bed
Relax and unwind before going to bed
Have pen and paper by your bed for noting down last
minute problems
If necessary get up an hour early to sort out
problems
Exam day
There are three different
possibilities as to the timing of your exam(s). Let's deal with them
individually.
2.2 Morning exam only
The morning is the
best time of day for an exam. You are hopefully refreshed after a good nights
sleep and you haven't got time to work yourself into a panic by doing hurried
last minute revision.
Should find yourself with a
list of problems to sort out from the night before, the very earliest you
should get up is an hour before normal otherwise you will tire yourself out
before the exam. If you do have problems to sort out then work for this hour,
then break and have some breakfast and then take a final glance over your
revision notes. In no way should you spend more than an hour on this extra
work. I'm sorry to say it but it's too late now and you will do more harm than
good by making yourself more nervous and panicky than you are anyway.
If at all possible the only
revision you should do is to have a quick glance through your revision notes,
not to learn anything new but simply to get your mind tuned in and ready for
the subject in question.
Finally, make sure you have
a good breakfast. It sounds petty but you will be using a lot more mental and
nervous energy than usual and there is nothing worse than finding yourself
ravenous halfway through an exam.
Summary
Don't get up too early
Glance over your revision notes
Have a good breakfast!
2.3 Afternoon exam only
An afternoon exam
with a free morning beforehand should be treated with care. Whatever happens
you should allow at least an hour, (and preferably longer), for lunch and some
relaxation before briefly reading through your revision notes and setting off
for the exam.
If you really have to
revise in the morning for a subject other than that of the afternoon's exam
then only do so for the first couple of hours. Then you should switch your
revision to the subject of the afternoon exam so that you get your mind tuned
in and ready for action.
If you wish to spend the
morning revising solely for the afternoon exam then don't revise any new
topics. Simply spend the time polishing up what you have already learned. Once
again this will give your mind a chance to tune in to the subject. Revising
anything new now is dangerous because the clock is ticking ever closer to the
time of the exam. If you are not careful you will start getting panicky and do
more harm than good. The nearer the exam gets, the harder you try to learn the new
topic. The harder you try the less you seem to learn and you soon find yourself
in an endless spiral. Your time is much better spent fixing what you do know
more firmly in your head rather than doing some rather patchy learning of
something new.
Finally, make sure you
don't go overboard and work so hard that you tire yourself out, (both mentally
and physically). You need to save everything you've got for the exam itself.
Summary
Relax for at least an hour before the exam
Don't revise new topics
Revise for the subject of the afternoons exam
2.4 Morning and afternoon exams
Of the three possible
combinations of a day's exams this is the worst. What could be more exhausting
than 2 exams in one day, especially if they're on different subjects. Let's
hope that you don't have too many days like this. There is one advantage to
this combination however - at least your brain will have been well exercised in
the morning and should therefore be fit and ready for action in the afternoon.
The morning exam should be
treated exactly as I described earlier. Whatever happens don't plan to do any
new revision in between the two exams. You may think that there is enough time
to squeeze in a bit of last minute revision but you will find it next to
impossible. You will be tired after the first exam and will certainly need to
spend some time relaxing and unwinding. So have something to eat and relax a
bit and then you should be in a good frame of mind to start thinking about the
afternoon exam.
The only revision of any
use at this stage is a glance over your revision notes and perhaps a look
through a few questions from past papers to get your mind in tune with the new
subject. As I said earlier, any new revision at this stage is more likely to do
harm rather than good.
The most important point to
stress is that the short time in between the two exams should be used to
refresh yourself, to forget about the first exam and to prepare yourself for
the afternoon ahead.
Summary
Don't plan new revision for the time between exams
Try to relax and unwind
Read through revision notes and past papers
2.5 The final minutes
The minutes you spend
travelling to the exam and standing waiting outside the examination hall are
probably the worst. After all there is nothing you can do now except wait. Here
are some tips to help you through those final minutes.
Make sure you leave early
enough to get you to the exam in plenty of time. There's nothing worse than
getting into a panic before the exam has even started by worrying if you will
get there on time or not. And although it may sound stupid, make sure you know
where the examination is being held. It would be silly to miss the first 20
minutes simply because you went to the wrong building. If you are taking a
large number of exams it is very easy to get confused as to the times and
places of the various exams. Believe me - I've seen it happen!
Don't get too wound up with
the importance of the exam. Although people will continually tell you how
important it is that you do well they usually fail to point out that if you
don't do as well as you need to then you can always re-sit, and re-sit, and
re-sit until you get the grade you require. OK it would be nice to pass first
time but it's not the end of the world if you don't. Some people get so
concerned that they might fail that the worrying itself makes them so nervous
that they do fail. If you have a laid-back couldn't care less approach then you
will feel much better and will do much better as a consequence. It will also
have the effect of annoying your colleagues. "How come you're so
calm," they will ask and this will make you feel even better! Remember it
doesn't matter how you really feel inside just so long as you come across as
calm and collected. You'll be surprised at how much better you feel just from
putting on a confident act.
Stay well away from the
crowds of people waiting to go into the exam, even your friends. This is a very
dangerous time when people love to get together and discuss what they do and
don't know and try and get help on their last minute problems. The last thing
you need now is to be a part of this. All you need to hear is a chance remark
about a particular topic to set you thinking "Oh no! I forgot to revise
that" or "I don't know that as well as I should". Similarly a
discussion about a particular topic with different people giving different
opinions will only confuse you. The best thing is to stay away from everyone
and then you won't get involved. This way you will avoid being made confused or
more nervous.
Don't do any last minute
learning or revision while you wait to go in. At this late stage you are more likely
to put yourself into a panic than do anything useful. If you feel that you must
do something then just glance over your revision notes and get your mind
thinking over the subject.
Try and stay as calm as
possible while you wait. Take your mind elsewhere by thinking of things nicer
than exams. For example think about the holiday you'll be going on in a few
weeks time when all this is over. Breathe deeply to relax yourself. The calmer
you are when you go in the better you will deal with the exam.
Don't let other peoples
confidence put you off. Usually it's just a front since very few people have no
fear of exams. Everybody is nervous before they go in and some people cope with
their nerves by putting up a confident front even though deep down they are not
in the least bit confident. Whilst this might worry you and make you feel worse
it makes them feel better. So why not follow their example and make yourself
appear confident. You'll find you actually feel much better for it!
Summary
Get to the exam hall in plenty of time
The exam isn't that important - you can always
re-sit
Stay away from discussions
Avoid last minute revision
Breathe deeply an stay calm
Don't be put off by other people's confidence
The exam itself
3.1 Before you start writing
As you enter the
examination hall and find your seat take a good look at your surroundings. See
where the clock is and check that the time it is showing corresponds to the
time on your watch. There is nothing worse than being told that the exam
finishes at 12.30 and then being told to stop writing at what you think is
12.25 simply because your watch is 5 minutes behind the exam hall clock.
If at any stage in the exam
there is a problem with your seating position then tell an invigilator who will
do all that is possible to help. For instance the sun may be in your eyes or
you are unable to see the clock in which case you will probably be re-seated
somewhere else. If your desk wobbles then use some paper to stabilise it.
Whatever happens make sure that you are completely happy with where you are
sitting. After all if something is irritating you now then it will be
irritating you even more in an hours time when you are trying to concentrate
and you will be distracted from the task in hand.
The minute you feel
yourself starting to get nervous or panicky start taking deep breaths and stop
thinking about the exam until you've calmed down again.
If you are feeling unwell,
even if it's just a cold, then tell an invigilator before the exam starts. It
can't do any harm and they might make an allowance for it if you don't do as
well as you are expected to do.
Check that you have been
given the correct exam paper and read the instructions carefully. Make sure you
understand how many questions you are expected to answer and, if the paper is
split into sections, how many questions from each section you should attempt.
Also make sure that you know how much time you have for the exam. Many people
get so used to doing past papers that they invariably assume that they know
exactly what they have to do and don't bother reading the instructions. Just be
aware that the format of the exam may well have changed so read the
instructions carefully. If there is anything you are unsure of either before
the exam starts or during it then ask an invigilator to explain.
On the front of the paper
you will be told how many questions there are. Check that there really are that
many questions. This not only confirms that your paper has been printed
correctly but also makes you aware of questions which you may well have missed,
for instance on the back page where many people forget to look.
As soon as you are allowed
to, start jotting down all the things from your revision that you think you
might forget, for example anything you learnt in the last few minutes before
you entered the exam. Sometimes you might be allowed to write from the time you
sit down but often you will have to wait until you are told you can start
writing. Don't write unless you are sure you are allowed to. Ask if you are
unsure.
Summary
Check your watch shows the same time as the clock
If you are unhappy with your seating get it changed
If you feel nervous breathe deeply
If you feel unwell tell an invigilator
Check that you have the correct paper
Make sure you understand the instructions
Check there are the correct number of questions
3.2 How to pick your questions
When you are allowed to
start take a few deep breaths and then briefly read through all the questions
just to overcome your initial anxieties. Hopefully having seen the questions
you will heave a sigh of relief. If not then take some more deep breaths and
relax - you've done the work and you'll be OK.
Go back and read through
the questions again, more carefully this time. Every time you read a question
it will begin to make more sense and your confidence will grow. This time mark
all the questions that you feel able to attempt. Don't worry if you pick too
many or too few. Just mark the questions you feel you could do if you had to.
From the questions you have
marked as possibles pick what looks like the easiest and attempt it first. When
you've completed this question go back and briefly read through all the
remaining questions again. Pick the easiest again and answer it. Continue this
process until you've completed the required number of questions. The continual
reading of all the questions in between answering them allows your subconscious
to mull things over in preparation for the questions to come while you get on
with writing your answer. By answering your best question first you will be
boosting your confidence.
Don't worry if all the
questions seem impossible. It is more likely that you are just nervous rather
than unable to do them. Your mind has just gone blank for a few minutes. Think
of something else - a friend, a joke, or anything unrelated to the exam. Take
your mind elsewhere for a few minutes. Now take a few deep breaths and go back
to reading the questions. You should find that you are now calmer and more
relaxed. Continue reading through the questions. The more you read them the
more familiar they will become and the more relaxed you will become. You will
soon find yourself in a position where you are able to attempt a question.
(Remember seeing an ugly person for the first time and thinking to yourself,
"wow! They're ugly"! However the second and third times you see them
whilst you still think of them as ugly it doesn't hit you so hard because
you're getting used to the sight of them. It's the same with exam questions -
even the really ugly ones don't look so bad after a while!).
Use a ruler to measure how
long each question is and, if you can, attempt the longest questions. This may
sound strange but the reasoning is as follows.
The longer a question takes
to ask the more information it is giving you and providing you know the
information required then the easier it is to answer. Very long questions are
virtually telling you want they want in the answer.
For example consider two
similar biology questions. The first asks you to describe how reproduction
takes place in plants. The second lists some of the reproductive organs and
asks you to describe what function each one plays in reproduction. Obviously
the second question takes longer to ask.
It is fairly easy to see
that the first question is fairly open-ended and is only giving you a vague
idea of what is required in the answer. On the other hand the second question
is telling you exactly what to write - it wants a description of each part and
details of its reproductive role. Providing you know the function of each part
you stand a much better chance of gaining full marks on this question than on
the first in the time available. In the first question there are so many points
that they could be looking for that it would need quite a lengthy answer to
guarantee full marks. So the general rule is that the longer a question takes
to ask, the more it is telling you about what is required in the answer and
therefore the easier it should be to write a good answer.
A question commonly asked
by students is should an extra question be attempted if time is available. The
answer is - "well, maybe". When you've completed the required number
of questions the first thing you should do is go back and check them all
thoroughly. If you have a lot of time available for checking then make use of
it. It's surprising how of ten you can spot a horrendous mistake in something
you've already checked and thought to be a perfect answer.
If you've been back over
your answers and checked and checked them and you are sure that they're as good
as you're going to get them and you still have time on your hands then by all
means attempt an extra question.
Make it known to the
examiner that this question is an extra one by writing 'extra question' at the
top and handing it in at the back of all your other answers. You will not pick
up extra marks for doing an extra question. However if you've made a real mess
of one of your other answers and you've scored better on the extra question
then they will probably take the highest score if they're feeling kind. And
that is basically the only advantage of answering an extra question - it's a
safety net. Unless you've got loads of time on your hands I would suggest that
time spent checking your answers would be far more profitable. Even after hours
of checking you will still spot mistakes.
Summary
Read through paper and mark possible questions
Answer your best question first
An impossible exam paper will begin to look easier
as you become more familiar with it
The longer the question, the easier the answer
Spend time checking rather than answering an extra
question
3.3 How to pace yourself
Work out how much time you
have available for each question allowing time for checking your answers at the
end. Never allow more time for questions that look as though they might take
longer. The questions are written such that a person who is capable of
answering them has a sufficient amount of time in which to do so. If you run
out of time on a question don't over-run unless you are within a few minutes of
finishing. Leave it and return to it later if you have time.
Be aware of the number of
marks awarded for each section of the question and have a rough idea of how
they will be awarded. Don't spend hours writing an answer to a question that
only carries a couple of marks. Ask yourself what the examiner is looking for
and answer accordingly.
If you find that you've
completely run out of time on a question then make a list of the points you
were going to make and move on to the next question. This makes sure that you
don't lose marks for not raising the points although you might lose some for
lack of style. The fact that you've run out of time probably means that you
weren't answering the question concisely and your time would therefore be
better spent on another question. Cut your losses and try and do better on the
next question.
Keep an eye on the time as
you write and be aware of the rate at which you should be picking up marks. For
example, in an exam which lasts 120 minutes and has a total of 100 marks
available you should be aware that you have to try and score a mark at a rate
of almost one a minute allowing time for checking at the end. Every time you
make what you believe to be a good point think to yourself - "that's
another mark". This should help you to keep your score rate up.
Attempt what you believe to
be the easiest question first followed by the next easiest, then the next and
so on. If a question is easy then you should be able to answer it both well and
quickly. This should give you time in hand later on to tackle the harder
questions.
If you get stuck or bogged
down at any stage and it looks as if the problem might take a while to sort out
then leave the problem to your subconscious to sort out while you go and
attempt another question. You can return to the 'sticking point' later if you
have time. It is amazing how a fresh look at a question after your mind has had
a while to think things over can suddenly make the solution seem obvious.
It is easier to score a
mark at the start of a question than at the end. At the start you are fresh and
will tend to be making your points thick and fast. Towards the end you will be
looking for ways of winding up and completing your answer having already made
most of your points. If you are having trouble composing a nice ending then just
quickly finish it off and go on to another question where your time will be
better spent. If you have time you can always return later and make a better
finish.
Make sure that you always
have the paper you require. If you are running low then put up your hand and
ask for more before you run out so that you can continue writing while you
wait. A pause in the middle of answering a question while you await the arrival
of more paper will disturb your flow and your train of thought as well as your
concentration.
Never waffle. Linking
phrases are OK but always stick to the facts. Examiners are very good at
spotting waffle and they also get very bored with it. Since you won't get marks
for waffle don't waste valuable time writing it!
Summary
Work out the time available for each question
Allow time for checking at the end
Be aware of how the marks will be awarded
Attempt the easiest question first
If you get stuck try another question and return
later
Be aware of how often you should be scoring a mark
- If you run out of time then list the points you were going to make
Marks are easier to gain at the start of questions
than at the end
Don't waffle
3.4 Secrets of essay questions
When attempting an essay
question the first thing you should do is read through the question carefully a
number of times and underline the key words such as summarise, compare and
contrast, discuss etc. etc. You would be amazed at how many people spend the
whole of a 'compare and contrast' essay just comparing and consequently throw
away half the possible marks by simply not doing what they were asked to do.
Having spent a few moments
thinking about what the question is asking start noting down everything that
comes into your head on the subject no matter how irrelevant it may seem. Try
and keep your notes brief, to the point and as neat as possible. You should
spend anything up to a quarter of the time available to you for the question
(and maybe even longer), for the writing of these notes as they are the
foundations for your essay. A house without foundations will fall down!
Once your rough notes are
written you can start deciding which bits you do and don't want to include in
your answer. Go through your notes and number the parts you want to use in the
order in which you want to use them. You are now formulating the structure of
your essay. Don't cross out unwanted notes because they may still be of use
later on.
Now you are in a position
to start writing your essay bringing up the points you made in your notes and
putting them together in a smooth, flowing style.
This method of essay
writing helps you to come up with a well structured and well thought out
answer. Simply launching into writing an essay without any thought means that
you could well get halfway through and suddenly think of other points which
should have been raised earlier on, or a different angle from which to tackle
the subject. By using notes you are able to empty your mind of the subject and
then try and put your thoughts into some sort of logical order that hopefully
makes sense.
Never forget one of the
earliest rules you were taught regarding essay and story writing - beginning,
middle and end. Start an essay by saying what you intend to do, then do it,
then reach your conclusions and perhaps summarise what you have said.
Never be radical in your
answers. Despite what you may think even at degree level free thought appears
to be fairly limited.
Write what the examiner
wants to hear and you will do well. Be radical in your answer and unless your
argument is that of a genius then you risk losing more than you stand to gain.
The rule in all exams is to play it safe, no matter what you really think.
Use examples and quotations
as often as possible. Use of an example to back up your argument is a good
essay technique and can only gain you marks. Don't worry if the example or
quotation is not quite 100% accurate - providing it's close no one should mind
too much.
Don't be fooled into
thinking that the more you write, the more marks you will get. Waffle will gain
you no marks and will bore the examiner maybe even to such an extent that he
misses a good point when you make one simply because it's surrounded in waffle.
As you write your essay you
should be consciously thinking to yourself as you go along "1 mark"
for every good point you think you make. This is the way the examiner will
probably be thinking when it is marked so if you can think in the same way it
will probably help you to write quite a good essay.
If you find yourself
running out of time then make a neat list of the points that you were going to
raise at the end of your uncompleted essay. Write a note to the examiner in the
margin such as "sorry, ran out of time". Also, always hand in your
rough notes. You may well pick up marks f or the points you were going to raise
even though you didn't have time to incorporate then into your essay.
If you know the person who
is marking the exam, (i.e. it is an internal exam), then you are in an even
better position to do well. Write what you think the marker will be looking for
and if they taught you the subject then think back to the lectures and
discussions you had with them. Write what they think and you can't go far
wrong!
Always hand in your rough
notes with your essay. Write at the top of them - "Essay Plan". This
shows the examiner that you thought through what you were going to write and
that you. Carefully planned your essay. You may well pick up a couple of extra
marks for this. Handing in your rough notes also has the advantage that if you
run out of time whilst writing the essay the examiner can still see what points
you were going to make and also the way in which they would have fitted into
the essay. Once again this could well pick you up marks which you wouldn't have
got if you had just stopped writing and handed in an unfinished essay.
If you make what you
consider to be a good point near the beginning of your essay then try making the
same point again later on. Use different wording and bring it up in a different
way and you may just fool a weary examiner into giving you marks for it again!
After all he's probably seen hundreds of answers to this question so was it you
who made the point or was it someone else? You can gain the odd free mark like
this but don't go overboard and use this trick more than a couple of times or
your ploy will be spotted!
Summary
Read the question carefully and note key words
Make rough notes
Put rough notes into order and compose essay
A good essay has a beginning, a middle and an end
Never be radical in your answers
Use examples and quotations
Don't waffle
If you run out of time then list the points you
were going to make
Hand in your essay plan.
3.5 Secrets of multiple choice questions
Many people assume that
multiple choice exams are easy. After all the answers are given to you so all
you have to do is to choose the right one. It is strange therefore that many
people don't do particularly well in multiple choice exams. Multiple choice is
easy providing you go about it in the correct way. There is a right method and
a wrong method for attempting these types of exams and most people use the
wrong method.
The wrong way of answering
multiple choice exams is to read the question, look at the answers and choose
the one that looks to be correct. The reason for this is that whilst there is
only one correct answer there are other answers which are very plausible and
are put there simply to mislead you. It is amazing how good we are at looking
at an incorrect answer long enough to convince ourselves that it is correct!
The correct way to choose
your answer is as follows. Use a blank piece of paper to cover up the questions
and gradually pull it down to reveal the question but not the answers. Read the
question carefully and work out the answer without looking at the answers you
are given, (i.e. work it out just as if it were an ordinary exam question).
Then reveal the answers and choose the one that matches yours.
If none of the answers
matches then make a note of the question number and return to it later when a
fresh approach may help you to come up with the right answer.
Don't dwell on a question
for too long. Time is limited and you could be picking up marks elsewhere
rather than wasting time on a question that you can't do.
Having completed the paper,
hopefully with time to spare, go back and attempt the questions that you had
trouble with. Your subconscious mind has had time to work on the problems and
you may also find that other questions that you have done may have triggered
your memory. Once again be careful not to get bogged down on a particular
question. If you still have trouble then once again you should note down the
question number.
Finally you will be left with
a list of the questions which you really can't do so the time has come to start
guessing. Be careful, marks are sometimes deducted for wrong answers so make
sure you are aware of whether this is the case in your exam.
Obviously there is no easy
way to correctly guess an answer if you don't know what it is in the first
place! The best method is to divide the answers into 'possibles' and
'impossibles' thus narrowing down your choice. With the answers now visible you
may be able to see where you went wrong in your initial workings out. At the
end of the day though, if you really can't work out the correct answer the only
solution is to pick one of the 'possibles' at random and hope for the best. If
marks are to be deducted for wrong answers then it is better not to guess but
to leave the answer blank. You will then score nothing as opposed to losing a
mark. In fact the whole point of marking multiple choice exams in this way is
to discourage people from guessing. Looks like it works! Obviously if marks are
not deducted for wrong answers then you have absolutely nothing to lose by
guessing so pick the most likely of the 'possibles'.
Most multiple choice exams
consist of a question paper together with an answer sheet. They are often
marked by computer and you indicate your answer by marking the appropriate box
on the answer sheet. Make sure you are equipped with a soft pencil and a good
rubber. Don't use ink because you won't be able to correct your mistakes.
Make sure that you know how
many questions there are and how long you have to answer them. Always allow 10
to 15 minutes at the end for checking and completing unfinished questions.
Rather than divide your time up on a per question basis, (i.e. 60 questions in
60 minutes is 1 question per minute), you should group the questions into
blocks of, say 10, and allocate your time accordingly, i.e. 10 questions in 10
minutes. This is because some questions will be very quick and easy to answer
while others will take longer. Grouping the questions in this way will even out
the peaks and troughs in the timing.
Make sure that your mark on
the answer paper corresponds to the correct question number. If you have left a
question to go back to later it can be very easy to continue marking the answer
sheet and forget to leave a space for the missing answer. If you do find that
your answers have got out of step then tell an invigilator. You may be allowed
some extra time to sort the mess out.
This problem can be avoided
if you always crosscheck the question number with the answer number as you
write the answer. Say to yourself, "question 7, answer 7" as you mark
the answer sheet.
It is even more important
than usual to read the instructions carefully in a multiple-choice exam. Make
sure that you understand exactly how to indicate your answers on the answer
sheet.
Sometimes marks will be
subtracted for an incorrect answer, (e.g. 1 mark for a correct answer, no marks
for no answer but 1 mark deducted for an incorrect answer). Make sure that you
understand the marking procedure in your exam as it will affect the way you
answer questions you are less sure about.
If there is anything that
you don't understand then ask an invigilator immediately.
Make sure that you
understand the different styles of question throughout the exam paper. Some may
give 5 different answers and ask which one is correct. Some will give 5
statements and ask which combinations are correct. Each time the style of
question changes make sure that you understand how to answer it. Once again if
you have any problems understanding what you have to do then ask an
invigilator.
Do all your rough working
on a piece of scrap paper but lay it out as if it were to be handed in, (i.e.
don't scribble and jot all over the place). This makes it easier to go back to
a question and check your working if you need to. Clear notes will also make it
easier to work out answers on problem questions when you return to them since
your earlier mistake may be obvious. Untidy notes won't help at all.
If you think you have
worked out the answer to a particular question but you are not 100% sure about
it then make a note of the question number and return to it later. When you
return to the question work out the answer again. If it is the same as you got
last time then you can be reasonably sure that you have got it right.
If you find yourself
becoming stuck on a particular question then make a note of the question number
and go back to it later. If you find a question easy then you are more likely
to get it right so it makes sense to go through the paper and answer all the
easy questions first. Once you've scored all the easy marks you can return to
the more difficult questions.
Always get to the end of
the paper. Very often there will be 10 easy questions at the end. If you get
bogged down in the middle and don't have time to finish then you have thrown
away easy marks. These easy questions are often put at the end of a multiple
choice paper to test your exam technique. People with poor technique may not
get this far and will throw away some easy marks. People with good technique
work through all the easy questions first and then return to the more difficult
questions.
Don't be fooled into
thinking that just because you've got a lot of answers the same, (e.g. a lot of
questions have the answer 'C'), that you've got some of them wrong. Never let
your choice for a particular answer be influenced by your other answers. Anyone
who thinks that an answer to a question can't be 'C' simply because the
previous four questions have had the answer 'C' is only fooling themselves and
will lose valuable marks.
In mathematical and
scientific multiple choice exams watch out for the units. Very often you will
find that you've got an answer in metres and the answer is given in
centimetres. (e.g. You've worked out an answer to be 1m and the answers given
include 1cm and 100cm. Obviously 100cm matches your answer but you would be
amazed at the number of people who answer 1cm simply because they fail to look
at the units). Remember, the answers are designed to mislead you so watch out
for the examiners little tricks.
Summary
Understand the instructions
Understand the different question styles
Understand the marking procedure
Use a soft pencil on the answer sheet
Make sure question and answer numbers correspond to
each other
Cover the answers up until you have worked out your
answer
Do the easy questions first
If you get stuck, return to the question later
Do your rough working neatly on scrap paper
Divide questions into 'blocks' and allocate time
per block
Divide answers into 'possibles' and 'impossibles'
for guessing
Watch out for trick answers
3.6 Secrets of short answer questions
Treat short answer
questions in the same way as you would treat an essay question. The only
difference is that your answer must be much more concise and to the point.
Short answer questions really test your ability to give only the vital points.
If you waffle then you will run out of time. So cut out all the waffle and just
stick to the facts.
Be aware of the marks
available for the question. Simply put down the points you think the examiner
is looking for and move on to the next question. Some people make the mistake
of writing virtually a complete essay for their answer. Not only is this a
waste of time but it is not what the examiner is looking for. So as an example
if a question asks which two elements are present in water then you should
answer hydrogen and oxygen. A detailed essay in greater depth will gain you no
more marks.
Summary
Treat like an essay question
Be concise and to the point
A lengthy answer is a waste of time
Don't waffle
3.7 Secrets of picture essay questions
In certain foreign language
exams you may be asked to write a story based on a series of pictures. This is
a very easy exam to do well in even with just a basic knowledge of the
language.
There will normally be a
guideline as to the number of words you are expected to write, e.g. 150 words.
Your revision should include the learning of, say 100 words, word and grammar
perfect. For example, (in English!) - "One day in June Paul woke up to the
sounds of the birds singing in the trees. As he climbed out of bed he rubbed
his eyes, stretched and thought to himself, I wonder what will happen
today", etc. etc. By changing a few of the words these set pieces can be
applied to any story set at any time of the year and to any person. The fact
that the pictures might not show someone getting out of bed and rubbing their
eyes doesn't matter because you will be using the remaining words to describe
the pictures.
In your opening you should
include a few clever phrases and unusual pieces of grammar, (e.g. an unusual
tense). This may earn you some bonus marks for good use of the language.
Don't worry about the
quality of the story that you are writing because the majority of marks are
usually awarded for the correctness of the language.
For the part of the story
you write which you haven't committed to memory use plenty of speech and keep
everything very simple, thus minimising the number of mistakes you are likely
to make. Whatever you do don't try and be clever because you will lose more
marks for mistakes than you stand to gain.
The use of speech means
that you can use the present tense a lot which is of course the easiest tense
to use. For example,
"Good morning mother",
said Paul.
"Good morning
Paul", said his mother. "Are you going to school today?"
Note too that 'said Paul'
and 'said his mother' use up 5 words each time and can be used after every
piece of speech, i.e. they are simple, correct phrases that you can use time
and time again.
If at any stage you are
unsure of the spelling of a word or the grammar you are using then change it.
With a little thought you will nearly always find a way around the problem by
making use of vocabulary and grammar which you are confident is correct.
Don't write many more words
than you are asked to. If you are asked for 200 words then 210 or so should be
your maximum. You have nothing to gain by going a long way over but a lot to
lose simply because of the extra mistakes you make. After all, the more you
write, the more chance you have of making a mistake. If you do find that you
have written too much then go back and edit out the parts you are less sure
about.
Write well spaced out on
alternate lines and keep everything neat and tidy. This will make everything
more legible to the examiner and enables you to correct mistakes and change
things more easily.
Don't be tempted to copy
out your story neatly when you have written it unless it really is a complete
mess. Copying is so easy to do that your brain will go to sleep and it is very
easy to miss out words or make mistakes. Play it safe and hand in the original.
Summary
Learn a perfect opening by heart
Don't worry about the quality of the story
Use speech
Keep everything as simple as possible
If you are unsure of something then change it
Don't write more than you have to
Don't copy the final version out neatly
3.8 How to pick up extra marks
Keep your rough working as
neat and tidy as possible even though it might be in note form. Title these
notes 'Rough working' and always hand them in with each of your answers. If you
have made a terrible mistake in your answers you may be able to salvage some
marks from your rough working. In mathematical and scientific questions you
should always show all your working at all times - it should never be in rough.
You will be awarded marks for using the correct method in your answer even if
you get the answer itself wrong.
In essay questions your
rough notes will show the examiner that you have taken time to think about your
essay and to plan it and this may earn you some extra marks.
If you spot a mistake
whilst checking your answers and haven't got time to correct it then put a note
beside the mistake saying 'mistake here' and if possible include details of
what the error is. Once again although you made a mistake the examiner will see
that you knew where you had gone wrong and may be more generous with the marks.
After all, exams are about showing the examiner that you know what you are
doing and not just about getting the correct answer.
Try and write your answers
in a similar style to that in which the question was asked. For example, if a
question asks you to 'compare and contrast' then your answer should contain
linking phrases such as 'in direct contrast to' or 'by comparison with'.
Obviously you don't want to overdo it. Just use this technique enough to
emphasise the examiner's belief that you are doing exactly what the question
asked. The more he believes you are writing what the question asked the more
marks he is likely to give you.
Don't be radical in your
answers. Despite what you may think there is no room for new ideas and free
thought in examinations even at degree level except for the odd genius. Write
exactly what you think the examiner wants to hear, not what you really believe.
To take an extreme example, if you are asked to write an essay about Darwin's
theory of evolution and you believe that Darwin was wrong don't say so. You are
perfectly entitled to your own personal views, (and you may well be right), but
you must remember that teachers, lecturers and examiners are always right, (or
so they seem to think), and to tell them otherwise in an exam will only annoy
and upset them resulting in less marks for you. In particular if you know who
set your exam or who is marking it then write exactly what you believe they
want to hear and take advantage of this inside knowledge.
Check every single page of
the exam paper for questions. People often miss a question on the back page
that obviously limits their choice and are potentially just throwing marks
away.
Never allow yourself to get
bogged down on a question. If you get stuck leave the question and go back to
it later. Don't waste time on a question you can't do when you could be picking
up marks elsewhere.
If you are unsure of your
spelling or grammar at any time, particularly in a foreign language exam, then
change it for something you are sure of. Never think that the odd marks here
and there don't matter - they do. After all there is only one marks difference
between passing and failing.
Make sure you know how the
marks are allocated. If a question carries a fifth of the total marks then you
should allocate a fifth of the time available to it, (allowing checking time).
In multiple choice exams make sure you know if marks will be deducted for
incorrect answers because it will affect your guessing technique.
Be as neat and tidy as
possible at all times. The person marking your exam will already have marked
hundreds and will have hundreds more still to mark. You can make the marker
feel more positive towards you if you present them with something that is a
pleasure to read.
If you find yourself
running out of paper, (or in need of graph paper etc.) then put your hand up
for more before you actually need it so that you can continue writing while you
wait. Too many people throw away valuable time waiting for the invigilators to
react to their request.
Never cross anything out
such that it can't be read. Use a single line through the word or section not
required or a big cross in the case of larger errors. This means that if you
suddenly realise that what you thought was a mistake wasn't actually a mistake,
(as can often happen), it is very easy to put a note by it saying - 'crossed
out in error. Please read this'.
Don't be afraid of writing
little notes to the examiner in the margin such as - 'sorry about the mess
here' or 'I think this is where I went wrong'. Usually it will raise a smile,
(after all, they're doing a pretty boring job), which will make them feel more
warmly towards you which can only be in your favour. Throughout your exam you
should not only want the examiner to like what you're writing but to like you
too. The more he likes you the kinder he is likely to be when marks are thin on
the ground. (I should point out that this is using psychology on his
subconscious and he won't be aware that he is being nicer towards you than
towards others but it is a fact of life that if you like someone you will help
them more than someone you have no feelings towards).
If you find yourself
running out of time on a question then make a list of the points that you were
going to make. Obviously this is not as good as completing the question but it
is dangerous to run over time on a question. At least you've said what you were
going to say even if it isn't as stylishly as you would have hoped. If you have
time at the end you can always return to the question and tidy things up.
It is easier to gain 2
marks at the beginning of a question than at the end. In other words if you run
out of time on a question, (although hopefully you will be disciplined enough
with your time keeping that you never encounter this problem), don't worry if
you don't manage to finish it nicely. You will have already made most of your
good points and you stand to gain more marks by starting another question than
by neatly finishing this one. Even good essay writers will often be scoring
marks less quickly at the end of an essay than at the beginning simply because
they are no longer fresh but are tiring of the question. A new question will
revive your interest and give you something to get your teeth into again.
In questions where you are
asked to 'prove' or 'show that' you are given an answer to work towards.
Normally you will work from beginning to end but, should you get stuck, try
working from the answer backwards. Hopefully this new approach will enable you
to complete the question but if it doesn't then try joining the two halves
together, (i.e. the working forwards bit and the working backwards bit). The
examiner may well miss the join, (after all he may be tired, bored or both),
and you could easily gain marks that you don't really deserve. Shame!
If your exam is set
internally then watch and listen very carefully for hints and tips from your
teachers, lecturers and tutors. Whilst the rules don't allow them to tip you
off human nature is such that they will want their own students to do well and
may well drop subtle or even unsubtle hints as a consequence.
An example of this is a
biology teacher of mine who suddenly out of the blue gave us a practical on a
topic completely unrelated to the subject we were covering at the time.
Everyone got the hint and grinned broadly as a very similar practical appeared
for our exam a few weeks later. We all did quite well too - funny that!
Be aware of how the marks
are to be awarded for individual questions. For example, if you are asked in a
2 mark question to name the two elements present in water the answer hydrogen
and oxygen will obviously gain 2 marks, one for hydrogen and one for oxygen.
Writing anything more complex as an answer would be a waste of time. 2 elements
- 2 marks, as simple as that.
Wherever possible use
quotations, diagrams and examples in your answer to emphasise the points you
make. They will add weight to what you are saying as well as punctuating your
answer and will count in your favour when it comes to the marking. A student
who quotes passages from a poem when answering a question related to the
particular poem is demonstrating that he knows the subject well and should
therefore gain marks as a consequence.
Take a look at this very
simple question and answer: -
Q. List ten fruits (10
marks)
A.
1. Apple
2. Pear
3. Banana
4. Orange
5. Kiwi fruit
6. Pineapple
7. Apricot
8. Pear
9. Peach
10. Melon
Did you by any chance
notice that I mentioned pear twice? An examiner who is marking hundreds of
scripts may well miss this and award 10 marks for only 9 fruits. I admit that
this would be a fairly foolish answer to give but it illustrates the point I'm
trying to make.
If you are writing an essay
and you make a good point at the beginning then change the way you make the
point and use it again later on in the same essay. At worst the examiner will
just think you are repeating yourself and at best he will not remember whether
it was you who made the point before or if it was in an essay he read earlier.
If you're lucky you might pick up an extra mark or two for no extra work!
Similarly when labelling
diagrams you could label one point twice, (keeping the two labels well apart so
they're not easily spotted), and you may well pick up a bonus mark here too.
Beware! Don't use this
technique too often or you will be spotted. Once or twice in an exam gives you
the chance of a couple of 'free' marks. Use it too much and the examiner will
become cautious and examine your answers a bit more closely than you might
like. Remember that you want the examiner as a friend, not an enemy.
The beauty of this
technique is that if it is used well then it looks like a genuine bit of
accidental repetition made under the pressure of exam conditions. However when
marks are short it can help boost your score if used carefully.
Summary
Keep rough working neat and tidy
Hand in all rough working with each answer
Write answers in the style of the question
Don't be radical
Check every page of the exam paper for questions
Never get bogged down on a question - return to it
later
Know how the marks will be allocated
Ask for more paper before you need it
Never cross anything out such that it can't be read
Hand in everything
List the points you were going to make if you run
out of time
It is easier to gain marks at the beginning of a
question than at the end
Listen for hints and tips on internal exams
Use quotations, diagrams and examples
Be friendly towards the examiner and get him to
like you
3.9 What to do if you dry up
There is nothing worse than
sitting in a exam and your mind going completely blank. You may be halfway
through a question or you might not have even started writing. The main thing
to remember is that this is purely a nervous reaction to the pressure you are
under. Don't worry because everything will eventually come back to you if you
keep calm. Remaining calm is the most important thing at this time because the
more you panic the harder it will be for you to recover.
The first thing you should
do if your mind goes blank is to sit back, relax and breathe deeply. The fact
that your mind has gone blank indicates that you are suffering under pressure
so the first step towards recovery is to stop worrying about the exam and relax.
Think of things other than the exam. Think about a joke, a TV programme, a
friend, it doesn't matter what so long as you take your mind off the current
problems.
When you've calmed down you
will be in a position to start getting your brain working again. The first
thing to do is to calmly read through the question again and if you've already
answered some of it then read through your answer. That will get the question
straight in your mind again as your panic may well have confused things. Now
read through any other questions you've attempted and the answers you wrote.
Hopefully your memory will be triggered by what you are reading.
Think back to similar
questions you did as part of your revision. Think of the books you read and try
to picture your course notes and your revision notes in your mind. If you made
use of the revision and memory techniques mentioned in earlier chapters then
you should hopefully find it fairly easy to recall things. You should also try
and define the topics involved in the area in which you are having difficulty.
This can help focus your mind on to the relevant parts of your revision and
hopefully get you back on the move again. Try also to picture any model answers
you looked at as part of your revision. In fact you should be trying to think
back to any revision you did related to the subject of the exam.
You will notice that the
basic technique for getting unstuck is to think of your revision and not of the
question you are actually trying to attempt. In effect you are trying to get
into your memory via the back door. Normally you read the question and use that
to trigger the relevant memory areas. If you dry up then this technique
effectively gets you remembering all the work you have done on a subject with
the hope that you will suddenly stumble upon something relevant to the current
problem.
Summary
Stay calm
Breathe deeply
Relax and don't panic
Take your mind elsewhere for a while
Read through all that you've already done
Think back over all your revision
Try and trigger your memory via the 'back door'
3.10 After the exam
"Stop writing",
the invigilator calls and you put your pen down and heave a sigh of relief.
Whatever you thought of the exam there is nothing more you can do now - what's
done is done. However if you don't treat this post-exam period carefully then
it can have quite a detrimental effect on your future performance.
Whatever happens don't let
yourself get involved in a post-mortem of the exam with your friends and
colleagues. People seem to enjoy swapping morbid horror stories after exams and
it is well worth staying well away from them. You may well have an idea of
where you went wrong but the more you discuss the exam with others, the more
you will find your answers differing with theirs and the more worried you will
become. It's very easy to walk out of an exam feeling that you've done quite
well and 10 minutes later being convinced that you've failed after chatting to
others. However well you've done your mind will always focus in on the bad
points and the silly mistakes you made. The more you worry the more you will
harm your future efforts. Remember what's done is done, you can't change it now
so it's pointless thinking about it. Put the exam behind you and concentrate
your efforts on the future.
Don't worry if you found
the exam hard. If you've done the work for it then there is no reason why you
should have done badly. If it was a difficult exam then everyone will have
found it hard and it will cause the average mark to be lower. Usually this will
be taken into account by the examiners. If the average mark is low then they
will often adjust the pass mark accordingly to compensate for the fact that it
appears to have been a hard exam.
As you leave the exam you
will no doubt be confronted by a mixture of opinions from your colleagues as to
how they liked the exam. In general if you've worked hard for the exam you
should find that most of their opinions are the same as yours. So don't be put
off by the inevitable cocky so and so who finds everything easy. This is
usually an act and when the results come out you will often find their name
near to the bottom. So when they come out of an exam saying, "wow, that
was easy", you can smile to yourself as you know they're only trying to
convince themselves that they've done well.
(I've often been in a class
with a few of these individuals. They spent all their time asking clever
questions and gave the impression that they really understood the subject well.
Usually I did much better than them in the exams though! They were doing their
best to appear clever and keen and as a consequence got a good end of term
report but at the end of the day they could not pull the wool over the
examiners eyes when they had to show how much they really knew).
Allow yourself time to
relax and unwind after you've finished an exam before you start working again.
Until you sit down and relax you won't realise how exhausted you really are. If
you feel annoyed or angry that you didn't do as well as you know you should
have done or it was simply a very tough exam then go and get rid of your
aggression. Take it out on a football, a squash court, go for a run but
whatever happens get it out of your system. You'll feel a lot better for it and
will be in a much better position to deal with the next lot of work.
Whenever you finish an exam
clear away all your notes and books even if you intend to use them again
straight away. Clear your desk completely. This is a great psychological way of
telling yourself that the exam is over and behind you and that it's time to
make a fresh start on the next phase.
When leaving an exam if
someone asks you how you got on tell them that you thought the exam was fine
and that you had no problems with it no matter how you really feel. This will
have the effect of boosting your morale no end especially if they found the
exam really difficult. Even if you found it hard yourself at least you haven't
given them the chance of getting one up on you by telling you that they found
it easy.
It's amazing how a positive
attitude such as this can improve your overall performance. Even when you find
an exam hard, telling other people that it was easy and seeing their reactions
will boost your confidence like nobody's business!
Summary
Don't get involved in a post-mortem
Don't discuss your answers with anyone
Don't listen to other people's discussions or
opinions
Beware of 'know-alls'
If it is a hard exam then everyone will have found
it hard
Try and appear confident
Get rid of any aggression
Clear away your books and notes
Relax and unwind before starting work again
In general
4.1 Exam psychology
Passing exams is not just a
simple process of learning a subject and answering questions on it correctly.
If it were that simple then a lot more people would do a lot better. The main
reason that most people don't find taking exams to be a simple process is
because they get very little practice at it. Usually the first time anyone
encounters anything like a real exam situation is in the mocks and the next
time it's for real. Part of the reason for me writing this book is to pass on
my experiences of taking exams over a number of years and the techniques I
developed for improving my performance. I only wish I knew what I now know when
I took my '0' levels all those years ago.
One of the most important
aspects of exam technique that is often overlooked by teachers and students
alike is that of exam psychology. But our mental state of mind has a great
influence on the way in which we perform and its importance should never be
overlooked. Let's look at some of the more common psychological problems
encountered when taking exams and see how they can be dealt with.
The fear of the unknown -
every time we attempt something new in life there is something inside us asking
'I wonder what this will be like'. This might present itself in a variety of
ways but there are two extremes, one being fear and the other being curiosity.
Think of how you felt the first time you answered a phone, used a lift or flew
in a plane. Some people have a terrible fear of flying yet once they eventually
manage their first flight they wonder what all the fuss was about. Other people
can't wait to get on the plane for the first time and are looking forward to
finding out what flying is really like.
When taking exams there are
two possible causes of the fear of the unknown. The first is if you have never
actually taken a major exam before when you will be wondering what the actual
exam process is like and how it all works. This fear is not usually too
problematic because most people can imagine fairly accurately what goes on and
because the process itself is not really that painful. Consequently this fear
tends to be virtually non-existent in most people.
The main fear of the
unknown suffered when taking exams is unfortunately much more significant. It
is encountered because we don't know what the questions are going to be -
wouldn't it be nice if we did! Naturally this fear crops up at most exams so it
is well worth learning how to deal with it. The main thing to remember is that
the human mind has a great ability for magnifying worries out of all proportion
so what might start out as a little idle curiosity as to what the questions
will be can very easily turn into a nightmare. Luckily the human mind is also
fairly predictable. I can virtually guarantee that any worries you have about
the questions will tend to be focused on your weak points rather than your
strong points. As a consequence you will find that your fear of the exam is
greatest for your weaker subjects.
Now that you know what your
mind is going to do you can avoid letting it focus in on your weak points by
focusing it in on your strong points yourself. The minute you find yourself
worrying about being unable to answer questions focus your mind in on the areas
of the subject about which you are more confident. Think of the revision you
have done and all the problems you had with the subject which you have now
sorted out. If you concentrate your mind on the good points then it won't be
able to concentrate itself on your bad points.
This technique is known as
thinking positively. The moment your mind thinks of something negative grab
hold of it and make yourself think of something positive. This will boost your
confidence and you will find yourself walking into the exam felling able to
cope with whatever is thrown at you.
The fear of failure - if
you didn't receive a grade for your exams but were simply presented with a list
with the subject you did best in at the top and your worst subject at the
bottom then nobody would have anything to worry about. Everybody would receive
a list showing their performance in each subject relative to their performance
in the other subjects. This tends to indicate that most peoples fear of exams
is based around the grades they will obtain and, more importantly, whether the
grade means that they have passed or failed. In fact if we home in even further
on these fears we will probably find that they are simply based on a worry that
you might fail coupled with the fear that your friends and colleagues will do
better than you.
The first thing to point
out is that there is usually an incredible amount of unnecessary pressure put
on people where exams are involved which I believe is all wrong. Your teachers
and parents constantly remind you of the importance of your exams and how
terrible life will be if you don't pass. Don't listen to them. Obviously you
will want to do your best because that is human nature. So being continually
told of the importance of doing well will only make you panic more and worry
about not doing well.
You shouldn't worry about
other people doing better than you. Whilst it might be important for your ego
to do as well as or better than your friends and colleagues it really doesn't
matter. Within days or even hours of the results coming out they will be
forgotten as you start on the next stage of your education or career. What does
it matter if you passed with an A grade or a C grade? The most important thing
is that you passed. So given that we've now established that the grade doesn't
really matter let's deal with that terrible thought of failure that keeps going
through your mind.
So if we now consider the
worst possible thing that could happen - failure. But let's be really dramatic
about it. What if you fail every single exam? I've probably just put your blood
pressure up by 20% and made you even more worried than you were already. That's
precisely what I was trying to do because if you think about it seriously and
you're honest with yourself then the chances of failing every single exam are
fairly remote. The very fact that you're reading this book means that you are
keen to do well in your exams and, no matter how apprehensive you may be, you
will have worked hard and will be rewarded for it. So we can be pretty sure
that the worst case scenario of failing every single exam is extremely unlikely
to come true.
So already you should be
more confident knowing that you will pass some exams. Taking this argument a
stage further if you think about your exam subjects then there will be those
you are good at and those you are not so good at. If you are reasonably good at
a subject then you are highly likely to do well in that exam, and, even if you
don't do as well as expected you should still pass.
Now think of the subjects
you are not so good at. These are the ones which are really worrying you. This
is where your real fear of failure lies. You are not worried about failing all
your exams, nor about failing your better subjects. Your real worries lie with
your few weaker subjects. Already you should be feeling more at ease simply
because the cause of worry and fear has been identified. Now we can start to
deal with your real fears of failure.
The first thing to remember
is that everyone has good subjects and bad subjects so you are not alone in
this respect. Also remember what I said earlier about the fact that you're
reading this book means you will be able to cope with the exams better than
others.
Finally let me get you
thinking about the subjects you are worried about. Think about your revision
first of all. When you started revising the subject you went through your notes
and gradually committed things to memory. As you read your notes so your
understanding of the subject will have increased, even if only by a small amount.
The point I am making is that your understanding of the subject is better now
than it was before you started revising.
Now think back to your mock
exams and to any tests or homework you did for the subject. Think of how well
you did and try and give yourself an average mark out of 100 for your work. For
instance if you usually got 5 or 6 out of 10 for your homework or in a test
then your average would be about 55%. If it comes anywhere near 50% then you
have nothing to worry about because that will be a perfectly adequate pass in
most exams.
If your average works out
at between 35% and 45% then you should still be OK. After all you've done some
revision since you scored those marks and, given that you obviously didn't
understand the subject that well to start off with, you have no doubt sorted
out a number of your problems and should therefore be OK in the exam.
If your average works out
at less than 35% then you can worry just a little bit but you will still be OK
if you work sensibly for the exam. Once again you must remember that you have
done some revision since you scored these marks for your homework which should
immediately have the effect of boosting your ability. Secondly you should
remember that your exam technique will be pretty good after reading this book
and, since one tends to take more care over an exam than homework, your score
in the exam should be better than your average. Try going back over some old
tests and homework questions and attempting them again. Hopefully you should
find that your average has improved. If you still find it to be low then you
really need to get some help with this subject. Make a list of the areas you
find difficult and go along to your teachers tutor or lecturer and get some
help and advice. They will be only too pleased to assist you, after all if you
do badly it will reflect on them. Even if you reach this stage you still have
very little to worry about because at least you've now discovered where the
source of your fear is coming from and have the opportunity to do something
about it.
Hopefully you should now
see that there is absolutely no need to have any fear of failing. If you've
performed well in the subject over the past few years then there is no reason
to think that you will do badly in the exam. If you've been fairly average in
the subject then the revision you've done and the application of some exam
technique should see you safely through. Finally if you're really not that good
at the subject and never have been then at least you've isolated the source of
worry and can do something positive about sorting your problems out.
Positive attitude - if you
think you're going to fail then you probably will fail. Going into an exam with
a feeling of doom and gloom can only make your performance worse. Some might
say that you almost want yourself to do badly simply so that you can say,
"I told you I was going to fail". Snap out of this defeatist
attitude. Have a positive attitude. Hold your head up high and tell the world
that you are going to do well. Put across an air of quiet confidence.
Obviously inside you might
not feel successful or confident but I guarantee that if you act in this way
for long enough your inner feelings will start to change. It is amazing how
powerful the human mind really is. Use its powers to your advantage. The more
positive and confident you appear, the more confident you will actually become.
Try having a positive attitude and see how well it works. From this moment on
shut all negative thoughts out of your mind. I think you will be quite
surprised by the results.
Whatever happens and
however well or badly you may do remember that there is life after exams.
Whilst they may seem a major event at the moment in a few weeks time they will
all be over and life will return to normal. So don't let things get out of
perspective.
Learn how to deal with your
nerves and moments of panic. Teach yourself to relax by sitting calmly and
breathing deeply. Close your eyes and imagine you are somewhere else. Practice
this technique whenever you get a free moment, for instance on the bus or the
train. Once you are able to relax and control your nerves you will be in a much
better position to cope with any anxieties the exam may cause you.
If you do find yourself
getting into trouble in an exam because you can't complete a question or
because your mind has gone blank then spend some time relaxing. Try going back
over the work you've done or trying a different question. Never allow yourself
to remain in a panic because it will cause you to panic even more.
Never enter into a
post-mortem after an exam. It's too late now to do anything about what you've
written so what's the point in discussing it. You are only likely to worry
yourself with your mind focusing in on everything you think you might have got
wrong rather than on the good points. Save all your worries for what is to come
and prepare yourself for the next exam rather than wasting time worrying about
something that can't be changed.
Never attempt to revise at
the last minute. Revising this late in the day means that your revision
programme probably isn't complete. Consequently you are trying to cram some
learning into the last few minutes. Forget it. This is likely to do more harm
than good. If you are worried such that you have to revise at the last minute
then you will be unable to work effectively which in turn will cause you to
panic even more. Try and make do with the work you've already done and spend
these last minutes preparing for the exam mentally.
Remember that you are not
the only one sitting the exam and that hundreds of other people are suffering
in the same way as you are. Think of how much better prepared you are for the
exam than they will be and how much better you will do as a consequence. So
often we get so wound up with our own problems in our own little worlds that we
forget that others are probably suffering ten times more than we are.
Never let other people
upset you or worry you. Under pressure people are at their worst and whilst
they may not lie they may not always be 100% truthful in what they tell you.
For instance a friend may tell you that he's finished all his revision and is
ready for all the exam might throw at him. In reality he is probably as
unprepared as you are but is boosting his confidence by telling you these
things and seeing your reaction. Providing you are aware that people might do
this you will be able to ignore it. Never believe such stories because they are
usually untrue and will worry you. All that matters is that you are ready for
the exam and that you will do well. If Joe Bloggs has finished his revision and
is going out for the day then good for him but you'll probably do better than
him on the day.
Always answer the easiest
question first in an exam, followed by the next easiest, then the next and so
on. This keeps your confidence at its peak throughout. At the start of the exam
you need to boost your confidence in order to overcome your initial nerves.
Once you're into the exam and have settled down with a few simple questions
under your belt you will be in a much better mental state of mind to tackle the
more difficult questions.
Throughout the exam you
should treat the person who will be marking your script as a dear friend. It
sounds corny but these people have got a pretty boring job marking hundreds of scripts
and seeing the same mistakes time after time. Make your script stand out and
you'll grab their attention and hopefully benefit from it. Be neat and tidy at
all times and space everything out well so that it is easy to read. Use lots of
diagrams if possible and use colour to make them more eye-catching. Writing
little notes to the examiner in the margin will help him to see you as a real
human being and not just another student. Apologise for a crossing out or if
your script is a bit messy. Try and make the examiner like you and warm towards
you because if you make them your friend they are more likely to treat you
better when allocating those all-important marks.
If you find an exam hard
then remember that others will be finding it hard too. If you've worked hard
for the exam then you should be able to make a good attempt at even the hardest
question. Remember that if it is a hard paper then the pass mark will often be
adjusted accordingly. So do your best happy in the knowledge that even though
you're finding the exam tough a lot of people are finding it even tougher.
Summary
Focus your mind on your strong points
Think of all the hard work you've done
Remind yourself that your chance of failure is very
small
Do your best
Don't worry about your friends doing better than
you
If you must worry then be realistic in your worries
Remember that you already have the attitude of
someone who will do well
Practice relaxing and calming yourself down
Never enter into a post-mortem
Never revise at the last minute
Remember other people are worrying about the exams
too
Don't let others upset or worry you
Keep a positive attitude at all times
Answer the easy questions first
4.2 Rules for all exams
I thought it would be a
good idea to devote a chapter to a quick exam technique checklist which you can
quickly read through before an exam just to remind you of some of the more
general points I have been discussing in this book. Here it is: -
Never do last minute revision
Relax before setting off for the exam
Make sure you know the time and place of your exam
Arrive at the exam hall in plenty of time
Don't be put off by other peoples confidence
Glance over your revision notes before going in
Keep away from discussions
Stay calm by breathing deeply and thinking nice
thoughts
Check your watch shows the same time as the hall clock
Have spare pens, pencils, batteries and some sweets in
case of hunger
Check you have the correct question paper
Read all the instructions carefully
Check there are the correct number of questions
Look for questions on the back page
Make sure you have been given any tables etc. which
you are allowed
Be aware of how long you have for the exam
Allocate a time per question and stick to it and allow
time for checking
Read the complete paper before you start writing
Be aware of the exam format and the mark allocation
Attempt the easiest questions first
Be neat and tidy at all times
Treat the examiner as a friend and make him like you
If you get panicky then stop and relax
Return to problem areas later on
Make use of your subconscious mind to think problems
over
Anything you cross out should remain legible
Ask for more paper before you need it
Use diagrams and quotations
Use colour to make your diagrams more interesting
If you have any problems then call an invigilator
Write what you think the examiner wants to hear
Never be radical, play everything safe
Hand in all your rough working
Answer the correct number of questions
Never enter into post-mortems
You're going to do well so don't worry about a thing
4.3 Learning as you go along
It is highly unlikely that
the forthcoming exams will be the last you ever take so let me tell you how you
can make the task of revising quicker and easier next time round. Try the following
tips:-
If at any stage of the
course you don't understand anything then ask. You may have to wait until a few
lessons later because quite often something that appears to be incomprehensible
can suddenly drop into place and make sense. If you don't ask then it is
unlikely that you will understand any further work related to this part of the
subject. To take an extreme example if you can't add up it makes the rest of a
Maths course virtually impossible to understand!
Keep your notes tidy and
well spaced out. The easier to read they are the easier they will be to
understand and memorise when you go back over them for your revision. If your
thoughts are clear on the page then they will be clear in your mind.
Use colour to highlight key
points in your notes. It will make them easier to remember as you will be able
to picture the page in your mind more easily.
Every few weeks you should
go back over your recent notes and summarise the key points. Also check that
you still understand them. If you don't understand anything then get the
problem sorted out straight away. Every month or so go back over the last few
months work and remind yourself of that as well. This will make your exam
revision much easier when it comes to it as it keeps everything fresh in your
mind.
Remember that it is easier
to learn a few facts a day over a period of months rather than hundreds of
facts in a few days when you're revising. For example, if you're learning a
foreign language why not learn a new verb each day just before you go to bed.
It will only take a few minutes and in a year that's 365 verbs for virtually no
effort at all. This is obviously much easier than trying to cram the learning
of these verbs into a packed revision timetable just before your exams.
Summary
Keep clear and tidy notes
Use colour to make key points stand out
Learn and understand as you go along
Sort problems out immediately
Go back over your notes every few weeks and months
Learn a little at a time and often
