The best way to prepare for exams is to start early, to plan your revision, and to use sound learning strategies
Exam Study
§ Prepare summary sheets for large amounts of lecture and textbook notes.
§ Recognize that cramming might help raise a grade only if you have been reasonably attentive in class, taken fair notes, and have read or skimmed most of the material for the course.
§ Recognize that cramming is not really the same as learning.
§ Spend several nights before an exam making a final review of your notes.
§ Stress the following areas in your review:
1. Points emphasized in class or in the text.
2. Areas the professor has advised for study.
3. Questions in study guides, past quizzes, and reviews at the end of textbook chapters.
Study Habits
§ Decide what to study (choose a reasonable task) and how long or how may chapters, pages, problems, etc. Set and stick to deadlines.
§ Do difficult tasks first. For procrastination, start off with an easy, interesting aspect of the project.
§ Have special places to study. Take into consideration lighting, temperature, and availability of materials.
§ Take a break!!Stretch, relax, have and energy snack.
§ Allow longer, “massed” time periods for organizing relationships and concepts, outlining, and writing papers. Use shorter, “spaced” time intervals for rote memorization, review, and self-testing. Use odd moments for recall/review.
§ If you get tired or bored, switch task/activity, subject, or environment. Stop studying when you are no longer being productive.
§ Do rote memory tasks and review, especially detail, just before you fall asleep.
§ Study with a friend. Quiz each other, compare notes and predicted test questions.
§ Above all, review regularly and plan to study ahead, so that the night before the exam, all you do is review material… Avoid All-Nighters!
Additional strategies…………..
Link up with a friend
Studying in a group, or setting mutual study goals and discussing key concepts and ideas with a friend may be helpful. It can also help you to stay motivated and to keep you on track.
Make use of past examination papers
If possible, get hold of some past papers and work through them to get an idea of the kinds of questions asked and what is expected of you. Note, however, that the style and format of exams often change, so check with your lecturer about what is required.
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