Exam Preparation Study Tips

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Exam Preparation: Ten Study Tips

By: Pleasantville Secondary School


1.Give yourself enough time to study
Don't leave it until the last minute. While some students do seem to thrive on last-
minute cramming, it's widely accepted that (for most of us) this is not the best way
to approach an exam. To help sort out your time management, set up a timetable for
your study. Write down how many exams you have and the days on which you have
to sit them. Then organize your study accordingly. You may want to give some
exams more study time than others, so find a balance that you feel comfortable with.

2.Organize your study space


Make sure you have enough space to spread your textbooks and notes out. Have
you got enough light? Is your chair comfortable? Are your computer games out
of sight? Try and get rid of all distractions, and make sure you feel as comfortable
and able to focus as possible. For some people, this may mean almost complete
silence, for others, background music helps. Some of us need everything
completely tidy and organized in order to concentrate, while others thrive in a
more cluttered environment. Think about what works for you, and take the time
to get it right.
3.Use flow charts and diagram
Visual aids can be really helpful when revising. At the start of a topic, challenge
yourself to write down everything you already know about a topic - and then
highlight where the gaps lie. Closer to the exam, condense your revision notes into
one-page diagrams. Getting your ideas down in this brief format can then help you
to quickly recall everything you need to know during the exam.

4.Practice on old exams


One of the most effective ways to prepare for exams is to practice taking past
versions. This helps you get used to the format of the questions, and - if you time
yourself - can also be good practice for making sure you spend the right amount of
time on each section.
5. Explain your answers to others
Parents and little brothers and sisters don't have to be annoying around exam time.
Use them to your advantage. Explain an answer to a question to them. That will help
you to get it clear in your head, and also to highlight any areas where you need more
work.

6.Organize study groups with friends


Get together with friends for a study session. You may have questions that they
have the answers to and vice versa. As long as you make sure you stay focused on
the topic for an agreed amount of time, this can be one of the most effective ways
to challenge yourself.
7.Take regular breaks
While you may think it's best to study for as many hours as possible, this can actually
be counterproductive. If you were training for a marathon, you wouldn't try and run
24 hours a day. Likewise, studies have shown that for long-term retention of
knowledge, taking regular breaks really helps.Everyone's different, so develop a
study routine that works for you. If you study better in the morning, start early before
taking a break at lunchtime. Or, if you're more productive at nighttime, take a larger
break earlier on so you're ready to settle down come evening. Try not to feel guilty
about being out enjoying the sunshine instead of hunched over your textbooks.
Remember Vitamin D is important for a healthy brain.

8. Snack on brain food


You may feel like you deserve a treat, or that you don't have time to cook, but what
you eat can really have an impact on energy levels and focus, so keep away from
junk food. Keep your body and brain well-fuelled by choosing nutritious foods that
have been proven to aid concentration and memory, such as fish, nuts, seeds, yogurt
and blueberries. The same applies on exam day - eat a good meal before the test,
based on foods that will provide a slow release of energy throughout. Sugar may
seem appealing, but your energy levels will crash an hour later.

9. Plan your exam day


Make sure you get everything ready well in advance of the exam - don't leave it
to the day before to suddenly realize you don't know the way, or what you're
supposed to bring. Check all the rules and requirements, and plan your route and
journey time. If possible, do a test run of the trip. If not, write down clear
directions.Work out how long it will take to get there - then add on some extra
time. You really don't want to arrive having had to run halfway or feeling frazzled
from losing your way. You could also make plans to travel to the exam with
friends or classmates, as long as you know they're likely to be punctual.
10.Drink plenty of water

As a final tip, remember that being well hydrated is essential for your brain to
work at its best. Make sure you keep drinking plenty of water throughout your
revision, and also on the exam day.

https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/health-and-support/exam-
preparation-ten-study-tips

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