Tips for Revision and Examination |
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Last-minute ‘cramming’ for exams is the worst of all worlds- it is
very stressful, is unlikely to lead to good marks and you won’t be
able to remember much of it within a few days of leaving the exam
room. |
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It makes much more sense to start exam revision in plenty of time – all it
takes is a little planning and self-discipline to avoid late nights, cold sweats
and so-so grades. |
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Revising for Exams |
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Here are nine tips on revising for exams : |
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- Make use of your learning style when you revise
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I. Make use of your learning style when you revise |
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Tips for Visual Learners |
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- Rewrite your notes as mind-maps
- Use colour to highlight important things
- Draw diagrams and sketches to help you remember points.
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Tips for Auditory Learners |
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- Record yourself on cassette reading key points of your notes
aloud, then listen to the tape afterwards.
- Revise with other students if you can
- Sing the main points. Linking them with a tune may help you
remember them.
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Tips for learners who are readers and writers: |
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- Read your notes silently.
- Rewrite the key points using different words.
- Write down key points from memory.
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Tips for Active Learners: |
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- Revise while you do Kung-fu moves or other physical activity
- Mentally review what you`ve been revising while you`re swimming or jogging.
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II. Plan in good time |
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Timetable: |
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- How much time have you got?
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A week in hand: |
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- Aim to have your revision completed by a week before your exams.This gives you: flexibility in case of illness.
- A chance to spend longer on something that proves difficult
- A break before you sits for your exams.
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Select : |
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- What topics do you need to revise?
- How much time do they need?
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Targets: |
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- The targets you set for yourself
- How much time you will need?
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Balance: |
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- Aim for a balance between subjects you are strong in and those which you are less confident about.
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III. Active revision |
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It`s not enough just to re-read notes, make your revision active! Here show |
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Paper: |
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- Have plenty of paper and a pen handy.
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Memorize: |
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- Study a section of your notes, and memorize the essential points.
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Write : |
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- Put your notes out of sight, and write down from memory the essential things you learned.
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Check : |
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Learn: |
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- Note any points you omitted or kgot wrong, and learn them.
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Cards: |
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- Reduce notes to essential points, either bu highlighting or underlining.
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- Use these points to make memory aids on index cards or similarsized pieces of paper.
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- Use a separate card for each topic.
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- Write down important points to remember about each topic.
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- Carry these cards with you where ever you go. Review them in your spare moments.
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IV. Old exam papers |
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- Look through old exam papers
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- Make outline plans for the answers
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- Note carefully the slight differences in how questions are asked from year to year.
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V. Pace yourself |
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- Don`t try to do too much at once. Take a break from time kto time in each study period.
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VI. You’re not alone |
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- Revise with other people sometimes; if you don’t feel that you’ve entirely grasped a topic, or don’t have any `new` ideas on it, discussing it with other students can be helpful. This is especially useful for Auditory Learners.
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VII. Reward yourself |
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- Recognize the targets you have achieved. Mark your progress on your revision plan so that you can see what you are achieving.
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VIII. Trust |
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- Once you know a subject thoroughly, move on to the next. Don’t keep checking your memory to see if it`s doing its job.
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- Its like a filing system, and it will produce what is required at the appropriate time
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IX. Look after yourself |
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Sorry to sound like your Mum, but |
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Diet |
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- Try and eat a healthy diet, not just chips and burgers! Take time out for meals; don’t try to work while you`re eating dinner.
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Exercise |
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- Get some exercise! You don’t have to go mad. 20 minutes exercise 2-3 time a week will give you more stamina, help reduce stress and help you to sleep.
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Rest |
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- Don’t try to work through the night before an exam.
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- Go to bed in good time and get as much sleep as you can.
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Taking exams |
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Here are eight tips for helping you cope on the day of an exam: |
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- Carry the original hall ticket to the examination hall, keeping one Xerox copy of the hall ticket at home.
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- Write the hall ticket number on the main answer sheet seeing the hall ticket and also on every additional sheet taken.
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- Write the total number of additional sheets taken on the main answer sheet.
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- Write the page number on the additional sheet.
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- Underline the important definitions, phrases etc.
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- Diagram to be drawn neatly and labeling to be done on the right side by extending the lines.
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- In Mathematics and Physical Science check the answers and write the answers with units, if any.
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- Plan your time such that last 15 min you can revise the answers.
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