For many people, exam time is the most stressful part
of the school year. With so much riding on the outcome, there can be a
high degree of pressure to perform well. Here are some exam preparation
tips to help you excel in school.
Getting Started
The earlier you start, the more time you will have to
prepare for the exam. You don't have to wait until exam time approaches;
try to set the stage from the beginning of the course by reviewing
the material after each class. By starting early and studying on a
regular basis, you will have a better opportunity to absorb the
information and life will be a lot easier when it's time to put it all
together for the exam.
Make sure all of your course material is well organized
so you can find and fill any gaps. If you miss any classes, get the
notes from your friends right away instead of scrambling at the last
minute. Proper organization will help you to get a better picture of the
material that has to be covered and improve the flow of the study
process.
Creating a Study Plan
As the exam nears, you will need to create a plan to
help you study effectively and minimize stress. The first step is to
figure out how much time and effort you must dedicate to studying for
the exam by asking the following questions:
- How much material do you need to cover?
- How difficult is the material?
- How much time is available?
- Do you have any other priorities during the study period?
- What is the format of the exam?
- How important is the exam?
- What is your performance target for the exam?
To prepare the study plan, map out all of the material
that has to be covered and make a schedule showing what, when and how
much you will study each day. If you have kept up with the course work,
studying will involve revision of the material that you have already
covered. If you are behind in the course, you will have to finish the
readings and other uncompleted work before starting the revision (if
there isn't enough time to go over everything, you must decide what is
most important for the exam).