Studying and preparing are vital to success in exams. Some of these tips sound like ‘common sense’ and relate to the importance of looking after yourself. Others are more about how you do your studying. Both types are essential and will help you improve your studies and perform better in the exam. It is essential to focus on how much you have studied rather than how long.
There are always various activities that can be done separately or combined in enhancing one’s experience. Herewith, there are a few guidelines respectively outlined to serve as a practical reference and preparation tips for students to help them study smarter and excel academically.
1. Give yourself enough time to study
Starting early with your exam preparation will give you ample time to review everything you have already studied. So do not leave anything for the last moment, and make sure you understand your subject thoroughly. This will make revision much more effortless. You can also set up a timetable to manage your time effectively. Write down how many exams you have, how many pages you have to learn, and the days you have left. Afterward, organize your study habits accordingly.
Remember, you may want to devote more preparation time to some subjects than others, so try to achieve a balance at your convenience.
Last-minute cramming is much less productive. Ideally, review each subject as you go, and make sure that you understand it fully as this will make revision much easier. Ultimately, the best tip is to study hard and know your subject, and starting early is the best way to achieve this.
2. Use Visual Aids (Flashcards, Diagrams, etc)
Visual aids can be especially helpful when revising the study material. At the start of a topic, write down everything you already know about the subject. Closer to the exam, transform your revision notes into a diagram. In that manner, visual remembrance can aid your readiness considerably when taking the exam. With Pandai, there is no need to worry, we organize your notes topic by topic with a useful Live Help for parents too, so they can help their children together on the subjects.
You can also try to make notes of everything you know about a particular topic and then when the exams are near, compress those notes into a one-page diagram.
3. Review and Practice Old Exam Papers
Reviewing and practicing old exam papers is one of the most effective ways to learn how to prepare for exams. It helps you to familiarise yourself with the format and structure of the question paper.
Try timing yourself when practicing the old exam paper. This will help you know how much time you spend on each section. You can get past exam papers from your teacher, your university library, or even search online.
Make sure that you have looked at past papers. This will ensure that you are prepared for the type of exam you will be sitting, whether multiple choice, short answer, or essay. This way, you can know what you are expected to do: for example, how many questions from each section will you have to answer? Of course, you still have to read the instructions on the paper itself and make sure that they are the same, but this will help you to feel comfortable with what will be expected.
Even more important, make sure that you have practiced the right type of questions and know what will be expected of a ‘good’ and ‘bad’ answer.
4. Take Regular Breaks
Regular breaks are needed for the brain to regain its focus. It is not the best tactic to study for long hours because long-term retention of knowledge is almost impossible. It is essential to take regular breaks for longer retention of information and to freshen up your mind. You may find that some days you can do more, but mostly, one to one and a half hours is likely to be your limit before you need a break. The most important part of studying is to develop a routine that fits your study style.
Everyone is different, so what works for you might not work for others. When building a study routine, consider taking intervals when it works best for you. For instance, take your break early if you study better at night. And if you are more productive in the morning, start studying before taking a break during lunchtime.
Walk around a bit!
5. Set Study Goals
For each study session, set a goal to keep track of what you are studying or revising. You can write down your study goals as soon as you start your study session or set them for the next one. Here are some examples of study goals you can select:
- I will work through at least five equations.
- I will go through and summarise chapters 5 and 6.
- I will understand and learn the fundamental concepts taught in week 2 to 4 lectures.
In short, we all have different ways of working, and that includes preparing for exams. As you get more experienced in taking exams, you will find the ways that work best for you, and learn how best to prepare. In the meantime, these tips should give you a good starting point for studying.
Explore every option and ask your friends to find out how they prepare for their exams — some of their final exam study tips might also help you.
You can even seek guidance from your teachers at school or our tutors. Pandai is here for you!
Good luck!
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