Why do you write exams? What do the examiners want? Are there any good reasons for your writing exams, or are you just being tortured? The first thing to note is that exams are about you.
Why do you write exams? What do the examiners want? Are there any good reasons for your writing exams, or are you just being tortured? The first thing to note is that exams are about you.
Exams are an opportunity for you to consolidate what you've learned; to demonstrate your understanding of a subject. Here are some techniques which can help you to be well prepared so that you can give of your best when studying and when in the exam room:
• Organise your study materials. • Find a place where you feel happy studying and stick with it. • Identify what time of the day/night you study best and use that time as your core study time. • Make summaries which include only the most important ideas; writing your work down increases understanding and the ability to retain knowledge. • Teach a friend or even your mom, dad or sister your work because, when you teach someone else, you remember far more than when you are taught. • Look at old exam papers because the same or similar questions do come up. Try practising an exam or part of an exam in the time permitted. • When in the exam room scan through the paper, see which questions you know best and answer those first. • Always attempt to answer a question even if you are unsure. The examiner can’t give you marks if you don’t write anything. Exams can be fulfilling if you can shift the focus from the question “What does the examiner expect me to do?” to asking, “What can I get out of writing exams?”
Try some of the above techniques and you will find that learning can be fun and writing exams can be worthwhile. And if you do teach your friend or sister, this could certainly benefit his or her learning.
The result might even be that your friend, too, does really well in the exam. Now that has to be cool!! Rose Grant (D Phil) Academic Coach and Study Skills Consultant rose.e.grant@gmail.com 079 516 5499
