Exam Tips?

[Valiour]

I don`t know whether anyone have ever posted this kind of thread on the forums before but, elephants.
My exams are coming soon and I still don`t know math. Jk.

I need Exam Tips as I really am really in Exams to be honest.
I mean I do well in revisions and in class, but during exams, I just have an average grade.
I still wonder whenever I get bad grades in school, my mother would shout at me. (No father No father<--nub)
I need exam tips because no one ever gave me tips before. All I know is, Get your pencils, calculators and erasers ready. (No phones no phones!)
Pls gimmie teeps and btw is this the right place to post this kind of thread? Idk :/

 

[Mooclan]

Moved to Off-Topic Discussions.



1: Music. If you're allowed to, listen to music. Nothing too heavy like Skrillex, though.

2: Block out sounds. Earplugs?

3: Even if you don't have earplugs or a viable way to block out sound, you need to ignore the other sounds. Think of it was a monotonous sound that simply drones on in the background. Avoid focusing on anything too specific, like the font of the text or a drawing on the wall that was never erased, or the sound of the pencil of the person behind you.

4: Know the material well. Re-read the chapter or section before the test, and keep an eye out for details that you think might be on the test.

5: Get plenty of sleep the night before. Go to bed early, even if you don't think you'll be able to fall asleep earlier.

6: Don't eat meat in the morning, or anything too heavy. It'll make you sleepier, because your body is focusing your energy on digesting the food rather than thinking about other things.

 

[TheMangoTiger]

Here's some tips for you:
1. Make sure you revise everything before, and know what you are doing and what you will be asked for before the exam
2. Practice answering example exam questions
3. Eat breakfast beforehand
4. Make sure you're on time and prepared
5. Focus on reading the questions and ignore the people around you, just forget where you are and block out everything except the exam paper

My gcse exams start on friday, and I really need to revise more ahhh

 

[RishSA|Imaboss2414]

If you need math help I'm here Mooclan knows what I mean

Now to tips [I never follow these myself]

1. Sleep!!!there was a guy at our school who fell asleep during the final because he studied too much for it.

2. Eat!! seriously if your stomach is groaning during the final thats bad.

3. Write!! If you don't write the material down and you just read the book, you won't learn much c:

Good Luck! my finals are in a month so I have 2 weeks before its cram time :3

 

[Tuatara]

Be prepared

• Go to all revision sessions for your subjects.
• Have up-to-date course notes. If you don't, ask your teachers for the latest versions.
• Practice assessments and examination papers.
• Know what is required for each achievement standard.

Planning

• Set regular routines of study.
• Choose a quiet, airy, well-lit place to study.
• Set study goals
  • Daily goals
  • Weekly goals
  • Long-term goals
• Know your deadlines.
• Make a study timetable
• Do a small amount of study on each subject every night.

Relax

• Have lots of breaks eg break every 50 minutes for 10 minutes.
• Eat healthily, sleep regularly and exercise.
• Reward yourself regularly.
• If stressed, ask for help. Your teachers want you to succeed; ask them!
  
  ORGANIZE YOURSELF EARLY
  When it comes to revision, slow and steady wins the race. Look at when each exam is due to take place, then create a revision timetable that priorities the subjects you’ll be tested on first. You should also include your exam dates, times and locations.
  
  By making a plan in advance of the exam period (and sticking to it!), you’ll feel more in control of your work - and you can avoid being gripped by last minute panic.
  
  MIX IT UP
  When you create your revision timetable, be honest with yourself about which subjects you are, and aren't, looking forward to spending time on.
  
  By placing less enjoyable topics next to ones you find more interesting, you’ll find it easier to keep going. For example, an hour of maths revision might be more bearable if you know you have history to look forward to after lunch.
  
  Avoid spending more than an hour on each subject, and make sure you build in time for regular breaks, too.
  
  GET COMFORTABLE
  Think about where you’re going to be revising and make sure it’s a space you can truly work in. You’ll need plenty of light, plus room to spread out your notes, text books and other resources.
  
  You’ll need to avoid revising anywhere noisy or where there are distractions that will affect your concentration - so if you can, try to stay out of areas where other family members will keep coming and going.
  
  Have a drink of water handy as staying hydrated will help you to focus. Also, consider opening a nearby window if you’re in a warm place; a breath of fresh air will help keep you alert.
  
  Above all, be honest with yourself about whether or not ‘background noise’ truly helps you to concentrate. While relaxing music, played softly, is an aid to some people when they’re revising, almost nobody can work effectively with the TV or radio on.
  
  DON’T OVER DO IT!
  Quality is more important than quantity when you’re revising. In other words, it’s better to revise effectively for a few hours each day than to be buried in your books 24 / 7.
  
  Nobody’s attention span is infinite, and it’s impossible to concentrate for much more than an hour without a break. In fact, a subject you’re struggling to get your head around might make more sense once you've spent a few minutes away from your desk, stretched your legs or had a cup of tea.
  
  It’s important to stay sociable when you’re revising, too - spend time with friends and family in the evenings and, if you take part in a sport, try to keep it up during exam time. These activities will help you relax, preparing your body and your mind for more revision tomorrow.
  
  DON’T WATCH THE CLOCK
  Timing your revision sessions strictly isn't always the best approach - particularly if you’re inclined to keep glancing at your watch, wishing the hours away! While sticking to your revision timetable is important, try to set yourself small goals while you’re working as well as time limits.
  
  SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-related. For example, a SMART goal for an English literature revision session might be: ‘By the end of this session, I will have memorized five useful quotations from Of Mice and Men.’
  
  Achieving objectives like this will help you feel good about your revision and boost your confidence.
  
  REVISE ‘ACTIVELY’
  This doesn't mean you have to do star jumps while practicing Pythagorus’ Theorem - but it does mean you need to ‘exercise’ your mind!
  
  Simply re-reading your notes is a very ineffective way to revise. According to scientists, your brain will retain less than 10% of what you read, unless you also do something active to boost your brain power.
  
  Re-writing or condensing (simplifying and shortening) your notes, creating posters, drawing mind maps or discussing a topic with friends will help you remember what you’ve studied far more successfully than reading alone.
  
  CREATE KEY WORD LISTS
  Making lists of key words and terms, then looking back at them, can be a great way to test what you’ve learnt about a particular topic.
  
  For example, after a session spent revising the origins of the Second World War, you could try to list its causes as simply as possible: Treaty of Versailles, Weimar Republic, Wall Street Crash, appeasement, and so on.
  
  You can then use the list again, giving it to a friend or family member so they can see whether you remember your key words and terms - and whether you’re able to fully explain them.
  
  KEEP THINGS COLORFUL
  Scribbling on sheets of lined A4 paper day in, day out might not help your motivation to revise - particularly if you’re artistically inclined. But there’s no rule that says revision always has to mean writing!
  
  Creating colourful A3 posters and drawing bright mind maps can be just as helpful as producing reams of text. Using bright stationery and colour-coding notes according to topic can also help to tackle the boredom you might feel with working in only black and white.
  
  LISTEN TO YOURSELF
  Bizarre though it sounds, some people swear by recording themselves reading their notes aloud and then listening back to the track on a laptop, mobile phone or music player.
  
  It might feel embarrassing, but it’s definitely worth a try; some of us are ‘aural learners’ and absorb information particularly well when we listen. If that applies to you, this could be an easy way to get extra revision time in!
  
  TRY FLASH CARDS
  Creating flash cards is a great way to condense your notes and revise key topics - and they can also be handy to use with family and friends.
  
  Lined, rectangular note cards are available from most stationers, and can be filled with key word lists, important questions and answers and bullet-point explanations of concepts. They can then be passed to willing testers who can check how much you remember!
  
  Flash cards are easily portable, too - helpful if you’re heading out for a revision date with a friend.
  
  PUT UP POST-IT NOTES
  Using post-it notes can be a fun and powerful way to work on remembering important ideas, facts and definitions. Write single words on brightly colored post-its and stick them up around the house, placing them on everyday objects such as the kettle, the fridge door... Even the top of the toilet!
  
  Then, next time you come to use that object, remind yourself of what the word means - whether it’s ‘mitosis’, ‘historical context’ or ‘Industrial Revolution’.
  
  If you can’t remember what your post-it note means, look it up before you make that cup of tea, raid the fridge or use the bathroom.
  
  USE PAST PAPERS
  Past exam papers will be available from your teachers and online from whichever exam boards your school uses. (See the links at the end of this guide.) You can use them to test yourself both in timed and un-timed conditions, and to help focus your revision.
  
  Simply planning your answers to questions that require longer responses - such as in English and History - will help you to consolidate your understanding, without the need to produce whole essays.
  
  REVISE EXAM SKILLS, AS WELL AS SUBJECTS
  Refreshing your subject knowledge is obviously the primary purpose of revision - but be sure to remind yourself of how to approach exam questions while you’re working towards your exams.
  
  Don’t neglect vital skills such as properly reading the question and ensuring you answer it in full. Failing to respond to a question in just the right way could cost you marks - even if you really know your stuff.
  
  When it comes to subjects where you’ll be doing lots of writing, make sure you plan your answers to essay questions. If you don’t, it’s all too easy to drift off the point and write a response that, even if it’s good, doesn't directly address what you’ve been asked - and which therefore won’t bring you any closer to a top grade.
  
  IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED...
  Try, try again! Re-do questions you get wrong when you test yourself, even once you understand the mistake you’ve made. Prove to yourself you can do it. The more times you get something right, the more confident you’ll feel.
  
  DON’T ALWAYS WORK ALONE
  Independent revision can be highly effective, but combining this with revision with a friend, or as part of a group, is the best approach. It’s a great way to add variety to your routine, provided you concentrate on the task at hand.
  
  Participating in group discussion helps most students to focus for longer, can give you a different perspective on the topic you’re studying and will help you achieve a broader understanding of the subject you’re revising. Explaining concepts and ideas to others is also a key way of strengthening your knowledge and consolidating your learning.
  
  Sharpening your exam technique while working with an expert tutor in a group setting makes for the perfect revision solution. This is the thinking behind Justin Craig revision courses (link), which are designed to be stimulating and fun as well as a great help with preparing for exams.
  
  ASK FOR ADVICE
  Revision is about refreshing what you’ve already learnt, not teaching yourself something from scratch. If you’re really struggling with a particular topic, don’t try to get to grips with it on your own - seek advice from a teacher or a tutor, who’ll be able to help you make sense of it far more quickly and easily.
  
  DO... REWARD YOURSELF
  Allow yourself a treat after working hard or achieving an important goal. Whether it’s a relaxing night in with your favourite film, a simple bar of chocolate or an afternoon out with your friends, enjoy yourself for a while before you get back to the books.
  
  DON’T... COMPARE YOURSELF TO YOUR FRIENDS
  You might have heard that someone in your English class has read Romeo & Juliet 10 times - but do you really think it’s true? Don’t get hung up on what other people are doing to prepare for the exams... Especially as you can’t ever completely believe what they say!
  
  Stick to your own timetable, stay calm and revise in the way that works best for you.
  
  DO... USE THE WEB WISELY
  Online forums are full of revision tips in the run up to exams, and the internet boasts a wealth of quizzes that can help test your learning in a variety of subjects - but use the web wisely when you’re revising.
  
  If you start clicking around at random, it could be a long while before you look at your watch and realise how much time you’ve wasted. Be honest with yourself: if you can’t stay on task when you’re online, stay off your laptop.
  
  DON’T... - LEAVE EVERYTHING UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE
  Trying to stuff your brain full of information immediately before an exam is the worst way to revise.
  
  Not only is it unlikely to help you remember anything meaningful, it is almost guaranteed to stress you out right before your big day, when what you really need is a calm mind and a good night’s sleep.
  
  DO... KNOW HOW TO SPOT STRESS - AND STOP IT
  All of us feel stressed from time to time, but the run up to exams can be especially intense. Stress can cause headaches, lead to difficulty sleeping, cause constant tiredness and result in increased feelings of anxiety - all of which are counterproductive when you’re trying to concentrate on important work.
  
  If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms it’s really important to talk to someone about your stress levels - whether you choose a friend, a parent or a trusted teacher.
  
  If stress is a problem for you, relaxing more will help you to revise more effectively - however contrary this might seem. Getting extra sleep, taking regular breaks and letting off steam by doing some exercise will all help.
  
  
  
  

 

[Mistress_Panda]

The number one rule to passing an exam.. Is don't be so hard on yourself! If something is hard for you, don't say "I suck at this, I can't do it." That isn't true. You can do it. Bringing yourself down, makes you feel less confident, and makes you not want to study as much.

Tip #2 -
The night before the exam, you need to relax. Put all electronics down, and turn off anything distracting. Listen to music on a radio if you can, or a CD player. Eat a good filling dinner, and make a nice hot or cold drink after dinner. Gather all of your important notes.. And sit in bed reading them. Things stick in your brain the most, when you read them right before you fall asleep!

Tip #3:
Find online tutoring sites, ask your teachers for help!

Hope this helped!

 

[Mamiamato24]

I found an exam guide on my school's website, but I kinda don't want anybody to know where I live, so I'll point out some key elements it entails:

Before you can excel in any exam, you must:

1. Be Prepared: You should have mastered the material you learned in class.
2. Develop Before-Exam Strategies: What to do prior to the exam.
3. Master Taking the Exam: What to do while you're writing the exam.

Strategies before the exam:

Mental Aspect
It is a commonplace to see students telling themselves that they will fail, or not do well on the exam, which contributes to their unsuccess. You must believe in your ability, and encourage yourself.
"I'm prepared!"
"I am a capable student!"

When you hear yourself thinking negatively, breathe deeply, relax and replace those statements with more encouraging ones.

Some other key points:
- Arrive at the exam calm
- Do not panic when a question is difficult
- Be confident that you will find the correct answer

- Get enough sleep, at least two nights prior to the exam. This will keep your mind alert and sharp, since most of your memories are retained during rest.
- Arrive at the exam early. You must avoid any sources of stress.
- Do not listen to your friends if they are panicking. Negative comments will bring you down.
- Do not review the whole course 1/2 an hour before the exam. A light review is acceptable at most, since you will rarely retain any of this information.
- Listen to the instructions provided by the teacher.

During the exam:

- Before you respond to any questions, look over the whole exam first, and prioritize certain questions.
- Build your confidence up by beginning with the easiest questions
- If you have a piece of information in your head and you think you might forget it, jot it down on the exam (you probably will forget it).
- Do not spend too much time on a single question. Skip it and move on to the next.
- Make sure you know how much time left in the exam, to determine if you should pick up the pace or not.
- Leave yourself enough time at the end to check over your exam. You may have made some unintentional mistakes.
- If you panic, stop what you're doing and breathe deeply for one to two minutes before continuing with your exam.

Multiple Choice Exams:

- Underline all the key words in a question. You may be tricked if they ask something like "Which is NOT an example of...".
- Be wary of words that are too positive (all, best, etc.) and words that are too negative (never, worst), which make a statement usually false, as well as unsure words (most, probably, etc.)
- If you are stuck on a question, and have eliminated the least probable answer and already reviewed it, your best bet is to guess. There's no risk in guessing.