Exam preparation in Eight Steps
Posted on 8 January 2018 by Joan Pickering
Even though we're still settling in from the Christmas break the January exam period is in full swing and there's only a few months to go before the summer exams commence. It's important to work hard when preparing for exams, but it's also important to work smart. If you fail to plan you are planning to fail so before you hit the books take a look at our eight step exam preparation process:
- Step 1 Draw up a week-by-week Revision Time Plan dividing the time you have to study into 45 minute chunks. Build in short breaks between chunks.
- Step 2 Divide your subject into topics or sections and then, if the content allows, into smaller sections – use your syllabus to help you do this.
- Step 3 Now plot these into your time plan.
- Step 4 Try to keep to your plan but you can amend as you go depending on the other demands on your time.
- Step 5 When you sit down to revise find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed.
- Step 6 Start by calming yourself – taking deep, slow breaths for a few minutes works well for many; emptying your mind of the day`s events by concentrating on your breathing often helps too.
- Step 7 Work steadily through the chosen section by reading over first. Then read again this time making brief notes or key words – this is the input stage to your memory. A good idea is to have exam questions to hand so you know what is likely to be asked of you in the exam. Use of diagrams and mind maps are useful aids to help you organise your thoughts.
- Step 8 The crucial next step is to remove your books and notes and write down the key things you have just revised. You will find this relatively easy as it is fresh in your mind.
Now have a break.
- Next day repeat Step 8
- Three days later repeat Step 8
- A week later repeat Step 8
- Two weeks later repeat Step 8 and so on until the final week.
For each section, follow the above steps. You will find repeating Step 8 easier as you go along as the information is now easily retrieved from your memory due to the repetitions.
Remember, however, that understanding is key – if you do not understand something you are unlikely to remember it as your memory and retrieval of information depends on context so if you come to something and scratch your head and say, “I don`t get it” , you need to ask your tutor for help.