TOP 20 TIPS FOR EXAM PREPERATION
1. Look at the past few years’ exam papers
The evening before the exam, take a look at what's come up in the past few years.
Make sure you know how the exam is structured and what is more likely to come up.
2. Get a decent sleep
You won’t be able to concentrate properly if all you’ve had is a 20-minute nap on the way into the exam.
Rather than stay up all night, get up early that morning.
3. Fuel up with a big breakfast
Before the exam, top up your energy levels with a good meal.
A slow energy release food such as porridge is ideal.
4. Get to the exam hall at least 15 minutes early
If you are 30 minutes late you can’t sit the exam, so make sure you are there with plenty of time to spare.
5. Make sure you have plenty of stationery
Bring several pens, a calculator, a ruler or whatever is needed for your paper.
6. Go to the toilet beforehand
It is a hassle doing it in the middle of an exam and wastes time.
7. Don’t be afraid to scribble down notes
If you run out of time at the end of an exam, giving up notes for a question can actually get you some marks.
8. Bring something to eat and drink
Snacks such as bananas give you energy and a bottle of water will stop you getting dehydrated.
9. Read through the paper first
You will subconsciously start thinking of answers to questions you are unsure of and it will allow you to identify what you need to answer.
10. Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Although the examiners can’t help you with the exam, they are able to clarify a question if it is poorly worded, confusing or if there is a typo.
11. Plan your paper
Allocate how much time you are going to spend on each question and stick to it.
This way you know if you should be moving on.
12. Prioritise
Don’t spend half an hour on a 10-mark question.
Make sure you give the questions with the most marks the time they need.
13. Answer your best questions first
You don’t want to get bogged down with a hard question and not have enough time to answer something you do know.
14. Attempt everything
A cliche but true. You can only get zero marks for a blank space.
For certain subjects, such as maths, attempt marks are actually worth as much or more than a correct answer, so attempt everything.
15. Try to write legibly and use punctuation sparingly
This can be very tough when you are trying to race through an exam but if the examiner can’t read your writing, it creates a problem.
16. Address the question asked
Don’t just pick out a word, for example agriculture, and write everything you know about the subject.
Make sure your answer is directly related to the question and refer back to it if you are getting off track.
17. Stay until the end
Leaving early is usually just for bragging rights – take your time and read over all your answers as you may remember more information at the end which you can add in.
18. Don’t bother with the exam post-mortem
Once the paper is done there is no point worrying about it.
Instead of listening to what you should have or could have written in the paper you’ve finished, focus on the next exam instead.
19. Don’t study for too long in one sitting
Take breaks in between studying for exams as the brain focuses best in shorter bursts.20. Make sure you have a balanced routine
Get some exercise, eat well and make sure to relax.
20. Make sure you have a balanced routine
Get some exercise, eat well and make sure to relax.