Preparing effectively for Examinations

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Preparing effectivelyfor Examinations
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Aims learning outcomes

• To evaluate your revision working habits and
  strategies
• To become aware of the resources needed for
  revision
• To be able to practise strategies for different
  note-taking approaches
• To become aware of different memory strategies

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Where are you?

• What sort of learner are you?
• What sort of environment do you revise in?
• What is your level of stress?
• Are you comfortable with your revision plans?
• Remember if you always do what you have always
  done, you will always get what you have always
  got.

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Revision location

• Where do you revise?
• Is it noisy?
• Are there comfort factors involved?
• Do you prefer to revise alone or with
  friends/both?
• What is likely to distract you?
• What time of day do you prefer to revise/study?

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Revision techniques

• Writing out notes again to remember facts
• Reducing/condensing information to shorter notes
• Memorising essay answers
• Writing out essay plans from past questions
• Writing essay answers or working through past
  papers under timed conditions
• Using mind maps/spider diagrams/branch notes
• Audio-taping information
• Pairs/group revision with friends

• Being active in learning
• Using colour e.g. highlighters
• Reading lecture notes
• Spending long periods revising in the week prior
  to exam
• Using memory triggers to help
• Preparing flash cards with key words as a basis
  for understanding
• Any other methods

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Preparing yourselffor examinations

• Look at your learning outcomes
• Consider/understand the assessment criteria for
  all units
• Start a system for organising your lecture notes
  at the start of your unit e.g. file dividers,
  coloured floppy discs.
• Select important theories and evidence
• Goals of self-expectation should be realistic
• Note-making develop an efficient organisational
  strategy
• Learning thoroughly promotes greater retention of
  facts and a deeper understanding of your subject

• Get past exam papers and answers
• Go to revision sessions if offered
• Join an examination writing group practise
  questions with others to make the process
  interactive
• Read your exam timetable early and make own plans
• Make sure you know the format of the exam
• Get a good nights sleep
• Take several pens and a working calculator with
  you
• Enjoy (if not then its not working!)

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Notes for revision

• Your system should provide you with useful
• notes and be an efficient use of your time
• and effort. Good notes will help you
• Understand new/difficult concepts
• Get an overview of the topic by changing written
  text into diagrams/flow charts/mind maps
• Remember new terminology (highlight words)

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Mind map example

• Common difficulties
• productive working
• making changes

• The right mind set
• Preparing for effective
• revision

REVISION

• Revision Notes
• About revising
• Organising key concepts
• Revision techniques

• Aids to Memorising
• Developing strategies
• Your memory strategies

• Examination Techniques
• Tips and hints

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Organisation

• Gather all notes relevant to the
  topic/examination.
• Decide how you are going to code each
  section/topic
• Look for connections between topics e.g.
  methodological approaches to different or similar
  topics.

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Memory strategies

• Rote learning memorisation by heart
• Deep learning connecting material to understand
  it and later recall it.
• What was your first day at school/college like?
  (episode)
• What is your home postal code? (fact)
• Where did you have your last lecture? (episode)
• How do you open a document on the computer?
  (procedure)
• A key concept in your favourite topic/subject
  (knowledge)

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Practise examination skills

• Analyse exam questions
• Plan essays
• Write appropriately and accurately
• Argue effectively using concepts/theories
• Analyse texts/evidence
• Select areas of knowledge
• Synthesise and reach a conclusion
• Decide what questions you are good at answering
• Time yourself answering questions
• Prioritise questions during an exam and the
  information in an exam question

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Coping with stress

• Take care of your mental, emotional and physical
  state
• Continuous stress can be counterproductive but a
  little is motivating. Adrenaline at the right
  levels is good for exams
• Include relaxation and periods free from work
• Include some physical activity
• Dont drink alcohol the night before exams
• Seek help if it becomes too difficult

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Academic Skills Guides

• Further guides at http//www.academic-skills.soto
  n.ac.uk/develop.htm and include
• Learning styles
• Reading academically
• Writing effectively
• Writing technically
• Referencing your work
• Getting the most from lectures
• Working in groups
• Giving a talk
• Preparing effectively for examinations
• Search Strategy
• Writing your dissertation
• Endnote bibliographic software
• Approaching mathematical problems systematically