Exam 101 Preparing for the exam

Exam 101 Preparing for the exam

Exams really aren’t that hard – once you’ve got a fairly good idea for how to anticipate the exam question you can essentially hone your preparations to ensure that you’re set for studying (to learn how to anticipate the exam question refer to the archive blogs for August 2017).

There are several routes that this can take. I personally recommend that you begin studying 6 weeks out from the exam. I will label what to do for each week and you can step in wherever you fit in. (For example, if you only have four weeks left begin from week four not week six.)

You will reap the most benefit if you do the program from start to finish, but it is the final weeks of consolidated learning that you must focus on if you have limited time.

Week Six

Daily Activities

·        Check for the examinable areas of the course

·        Summarize the biggest topics into four pages each

·        Summarize critical topic components into cue cards

·        Scan forward for the next six weeks and devise a study plan to get through the material a little faster. Use study notes from old students (Available online) or watch old lectures (often found on youtube or itunesU) to gain a better understanding. – Aim to finish three weeks before the end of term.

Weekly Activity

·        Arrange for a consultation with tutor/lecturer/teacher to ask questions about areas you’re unsure about

Tip

·        Find some quotes you like from key readings and put them into your summaries

Week Five

Goals

Ø  Begin final review of learning material; begin with weeks 1-4

Ø  Attempt two exam questions (long) and three exam questions (short)

Daily

·        Continue summary of biggest topics into four pages each

·        Continue summarizing critical components onto cue cards

·        40 minutes per day on study plan to finish course

Weekly Activity

Assemble your old assessment items in a logical order and write out the critical comments from each of them. Apply them to a simple checklist for use next week.

Tip

·        Don’t highlight anything yet. Save that for your final review.

Week Four

Goals

Ø  Begin final review of learning material; begin with weeks 3-6

Ø  Attempt two exam questions (long) and three exam questions (short)

Ø  Have your cue card summaries finished

Daily

·        60 minutes per day on study plan to finish course

·        Begin summarizing the small/less important topics into two pages each

Weekly Activity

Use the critical feedback list you compiled last week to check your results on your exam questions. Where you haven’t applied the feedback properly rewrite the question in a different colored pen and properly apply the feedback. Take the rewritten answer to your instructor and ask for their opinion on the piece. Take your feedback with you so that you can show them how you interpreted the feedback.

Tip

You should show them your interpretation because sometimes you might receive a comment like ‘be more precise’ so your response is to use less words – but the instructor intended for you to use more technical language, not fewer words.

Week Three

Goals

Ø  Begin final review of learning material; begin with weeks 5-8

Ø  Attempt two exam questions (long) and three exam questions (short)

Ø  Finish summarizing smaller topics into two pages and combine all topics into one study guide

Daily

·        60 minutes per day on study plan to finish course [YOU SHOULD FINISH THIS WEEK – IF NOT, either increase the amount to finish this week or move on.]

·        Review notes 20 minutes per day

Weekly

Spend time with at least one other student in your course and go through one full exam with them. If you don’t have much time don’t write out full answers, just answer the question in dot points and discuss what you think is most important.

Tip

Respect what the other students says, while you can’t rely on others for 100% accuracy a different perspective will focus on other critical components of the course and will help to keep your mind on track for where it should be.  Don’t be put off if they haven’t studied as much as you already, some people work well with less preparation – but you’re always better off to have prepared more than less.

Week Two

Goals

Ø  Begin final review of learning material; begin with weeks 7-11

Ø  Attempt two exam questions (long) and three exam questions (short)

Ø  Finish summarizing smaller topics into two pages and combine all topics into one study guide

Daily

·        Review notes 30 minutes per day

·        Extra focus on finishing your final review. Don’t write in full sentences now if you’re running short on time. Instead just summarize in dot points and draw diagrams. It’s about learning the information, not making it look good

Weekly

Do a timed practice exam, practicing calming techniques and using any of the notes you’ll be allowed. If you’re not allowed notes in your exam – then it won’t be to your advantage to use them.

Tip

Check your exam afterwards and give it a grade estimate by looking over the feedback and analysis you’ve already being given and see how it matches up.

Week One

Goals

Ø  Finish final review of learning material

Ø  Attempt three exam questions (long) and four exam questions (short)

Daily

·        Review notes 30 minutes per day

·        Extra focus on finishing your final review. Don’t write in full sentences now if you’re running short on time. Instead just summarize in dot points and draw diagrams. It’s about learning the information, not making it look good

Weekly

Do three timed practice exams, practicing calming techniques and using any of the notes you’ll be allowed. If you’re not allowed notes in your exam – then it won’t be to your advantage to use them.

Tip

Use this week to give yourself some rest and eat healthy foods. You’ve worked hard for the last six weeks – you can afford to take a little bit of extra time to relax than the other students – plus this will help you to reduce your anxiety before the exam.

Best of luck preparing for your exam – I know you can do it!