Break exam questions down to make sure you really understand what is being asked, to have a better chance at getting full marks for it. Look for the key parts in the question to get clues on how to answer it.
Plan how long to spend on each exam answer and the order in which you’ll answer them. Start with the questions you’re most confident with.
In an exam, read the instructions and scan the whole paper. Check how many pages there are and how much each question is worth.
Talking to other students about the exam before the exam could confuse you or make you lose confidence in yourself. If you talk about it after, you may start to doubt yourself and stress out if you think you made a mistake.
Stick to what you already know when studying the night before an exam to avoid making yourself nervous trying to learn new information. Review your notes and test yourself on key points.
Check your exam timetable so you know when and where you’ll be sitting the exam. Make sure you have everything you’ll need to take with you – calculator, pencil, ruler, etc.
Your teacher can help you get copies of old exam papers, to help you know the structure and format. Practise answering the questions within the specified time limits and check your answers against your notes to make sure you’ve got them right.
Ask for help when preparing for exams. Talk to your teacher or lecturer and other students. Aim to be as prepared as possible, emotionally and mentally.
Find out as much as you can about each exam. How much is it worth to your overall mark in the subject? Is it multiple choice or essay? Can you choose which questions to answer? Be as prepared as possible.
Summarise your study notes to help you remember them. Write down key points in your own words & note any ideas you don’t understand so you can clarify them with your teacher.