Studying and preparing is vital to success in exams. It is, however, difficult to know how best to manage your preparation period until you have some experience. Some of these tips sound like ‘common sense’, and relate to the importance of looking after yourself. Others are more about how you do your studying.Both types are important, and will help you to both study better, and perform better in the exam.Here is an article on 10 tips for Exam Preparation to Ease Your Worries
- Give yourself enough time to study
- Start your revision early
- Organise The Study Space
- Prepare an outline
- Manage your mindset
- Use flow charts and diagrams and practice old sample papers
- Look after yourself during study and exam time
- Take Regular Breaks
- ‘I can’t believe I did that!’ Avoid the obvious mistakes
- Take help if necessary
Give yourself enough time to study
Don’t leave it until the last minute. While some students do seem to thrive on last-minute cramming, it’s widely accepted that (for most of us) this is not the best way to approach an exam. To help sort out your time management, set up a timetable for your study. Write down how many exams you have and the days on which you have to sit them. Then organize your study accordingly. You may want to give some exams more study time than others, so find a balance that you feel comfortable with.
It is worth taking the time to plan your revision and consider how much time you might need for each subject.It is also helpful to consider when and how long you plan to spend studying each day. How much time will you be able to manage each day? What other commitments do you have during your study period?Plan your revision to ensure that you use your time to best advantage. When is the best time of day for you.
Start your revision early
There is no substitute for starting early with revision.You need to give yourself enough time to review everything that you have studied, and make sure that you understand it (or to read round the subject or ask for help if you are struggling). Last minute cramming is much less productive.Ideally, review each subject as you go, and make sure that you understand it fully as this will make revision much easier. Ultimately, the best tip is to study hard and know your subject, and starting early is the best way to achieve this.
Organise The Study Space
We are able to focus and study at our best when we are in a pleasant and comfortable environment. Find the best spot in thehouse, hostel or room where there is better light, fresh air and is silent. Spaces with least distraction are the most appropriate space for quality studying.
De-clutter the space from unnecessary items as much as possible to avoid distractions. Turn off the mobile phone or keep in flight mode while studying. Different people have different preferences for studying behaviors. While some may prefer sitting on a chair and reading on the table, while others may prefer to lie down or walk holding the book while studying. So, figure out the best method and space that suits best and organize accordingly.
Prepare an outline
Now that you have organized yourself, it is time for some actual study. It is to make brief outlines/ points that help you in recollecting the entire concept. One could prepare this while he/ she are attending a lecture in the classroom or while you are reading the text book. Once you finish reading, mark all the point which are difficult and read them once more to understand them better or take help from the tutor. After the entire part is clear, prepare an outline which can be used as a last minute referral.
Manage your mindset
It is natural to feel anxious about exams but with good strategies, you can actually enjoy them! If you do feel anxious, then direct that nervous energy into positive channels. Remember that some stress has a beneficial effect. It can help you to stay alert, focused on the exam and energised.
Don’t give your mind the time to drift into anxious thoughts. If it does, then gently guide it back to a concrete task, such as planning your time, jotting down useful facts and figures to use in later questions, proof-reading your work, thinking about ways to gain extra marks and remembering these exam tips.
Use flow charts and diagrams and practice old sample papers
Visual aids can be especially helpful when revising study material. At the start of a topic, write down everything you already know about the subject. Closer to the exam, transform your revision notes in a diagram. In that manner the visual remeberance can aid to your readiness considerably when taking the exam.
One of the most effective ways to prepare for exams is to practice with an old version of previous exams. Also, an old test will help you see the format and formulation of the questions and it will be good for you to know what to expect but also as a worthy practice for measuring the time you need for the actual test.
Look after yourself during study and exam time
You will be able to work better if you eat a healthy diet, and get plenty of sleep.This applies both during your exam period, and when you are revising. Surviving on junk food is not a good idea. For more about the importance of diet and sleep, see content on pages of Food, Diet, and Nutrition and The Importance of Sleep.
It is also a good idea to take regular exercise when studying. A brisk walk, or more vigorous exercise, will get your blood moving and ensure that you are better able to concentrate.
Take Regular Breaks
Human brain functions the best when it is given breaks periodically. Researchers have proven that studying for short intervals with regular breaks are more efficient than doing it for long hours without breaks. Forcing ourselves to study when our mind is sleepy or not active can only make it more exhausted. So, take breaks regularly, go for a brief walk, close your eyes or look away in distance to rest the eyes and the mind.
‘I can’t believe I did that!’ Avoid the obvious mistakes
Every year, students lose marks unnecessarily for silly errors. For example, they forget to check whether there are questions on both sides of the exam paper. They misread questions. Also, They answer too few – or too many – questions. They number their answers incorrectly, which means they have the wrong answer against the test question. This exam tip is important because when this sort of thing happens, so many marks can be lost.
Check carefully through all of your answers, looking for any accidental errors. Read through slowly to check for missing words and to see that your answers make sense. If you spot mistakes, change them, even if that makes hand-written papers look a bit untidy. Plan your time well so you are able to make these essential final checks.
Take help if necessary
In case you think that you are facing a trouble in understanding a particular subject then please take help from your tutor or mentor to understand the concept before it gets too late. Do not memorize as you may forget it instead take help, understand the concept to remember it lifetime. You could also take help of family members to question you on the same.
There are always various activities that can be done separately or combined in enhancing one’s experience. As you get more experienced in taking exams, you will find the ways that work best for you, and learn how best to prepare. In the meantime, these tips should give you a good starting point for study.
