People working in an organised environment are able to be more productive and focused than someone working in a disorganised setting: you can concentrate better if your space is tidy and organised.
In multiple-choice exams, it’s useful to read each question carefully, predict the right answer, read all the options before you pick one, eliminate obviously wrong options, and skip questions you can’t answer and come back to them later.
In multiple-choice exams, you have to recall lots of information quickly, because you can only spend a short period of time on each question. When revising, focus on factual information, like definitions and multi-step processes.
Time is likely to be scarce in an open-book exam. Make sure you know the basic answers and, if necessary, look up an exact formula, a numerical value, or supporting evidence for your answers.
In an open-book exam, the books are just memory aids so you don’t have to remember pages of information. Trust what you know from your revision; only look up key information such as quotes and formulas; if you’re allowed, place flags in key sections to save time.
In open-book exams, students are allowed to bring notes, texts, and/or other resources into the exam room. They test whether you understand the bigger picture of the topic, and how the concepts work together.
Open-book and multiple-choice exams often seem easier than essay-writing exams, but you still need to revise or you could find yourself throwing away easy marks.
What exam markers look for: question answered, clear essay structure, clear argument, evidence and examples for each point, and legible writing.
It’s good to predict and prepare some sample answers before an exam, but remember to answer the question that’s on the page, not the one in your head. You’ll only get marks for information that the question requires.
If you have less than six weeks until the exams, be realistic about what you can revise. Ask for guidance from your teachers who should be able to identify core material. If you think you will become more anxious, learn relaxation techniques now.