Everyone wants to do well in their exams, but it is no secret that exam season can be an incredibly stressful time of the year. No matter which stage of education you’re currently at, the pressure to do well is always present. There can be a lot riding on the results of a single exam, which is why it is so important that you prepare in advance.
Excelling in your exams all starts with the right revision process and using the techniques that are going to work best for you. With so much information to understand and remember, allocating adequate time for preparation is essential for exam success. By following our 7 tips for exam preparation, you can enter the exam room with confidence, knowing that you have everything you need to succeed.
Start Revising Early
The best tip for exam preparation is to start preparing as early as possible before your exams. Reviewing your notes throughout the year can really help to ensure that you understand the topics that your teachers have covered. Even if you haven’t reviewed your work over the year, starting a little revision as early on as possible, will ensure that there isn’t as much to do closer to your exams. A slow build-up of revision before your exams will make the workload seem much less when it really comes down to full revision.
Review Your Notes
Your notes are your most valuable revision tools, so they need to be up to scratch. Going over your notes and making sure there are no gaps, or poorly covered sections, will ensure that you won’t be panicking later because you have no information on important exam topics. Sharing notes with friends is a great way to ensure that there are no inconsistencies or wrong information in your notes. It can also help to ask your teacher about your weakest topics if you are struggling to understand sections.
Create a Timetable
Especially the case with G.C.S.E and A-level examinations, when it comes to exam season, you may have to juggle a high volume of exams in close proximity. Creating a timetable for revision will help you to keep track of which exams are first and should be prepared for earlier. When contrasting subjects have their exams close together, having a timetable can be essential for prioritisation. Allocating more time to your weakest subjects can be very beneficial, and make you feel more prepared.
Form a Study Group
Sometimes it can be very rewarding to take a break from private revision, and study with friends or classmates. A group study session can aid in addressing topics that you may be struggling with and help other students to do the same. Not only is it a great way to get a better understanding of your topics, but it can really help to hear a different opinion on the subjects and share revision techniques with people that are in the same situation.
Optimise Your Revision
Everyone approaches revision in a different way, what’s right for one person may not be right for another. Learning which techniques will help you the most is very important when optimising your revision time. There are many techniques that you can use to turn bland notes into more efficient revision material, including;
- Make flash cards with the most important information.
- Make your notes more eye-catching by highlighting essential information in different colours.
- Record your notes and listen to the audio.
- Put information prompts around the house, so you can take in the important information.
- Have your parents or friends ask you questions on the topic.
Get Prepared in Advance
While it is very important to revise, it is equally as important to know when to stop. Cramming more information in the night before your exam can do more harm than good. Preparing all your equipment for your exams the night before, is a great way to stop you feeling stressed in the morning and rushing around. Equally, getting a goods night sleep, and relaxing the day before your exam, can help you to focus when it matters most.
Don’t Panic!
The most important preparation for school exams is to remember not too panic. The worst thing that you can do is become overly stressed about the exams and loose your focus at the last minute. While exams may be important, they are not the end of the world. With the right preparation, you can face your exams confidently. If you feel like you are unprepared, then trying out past exam papers on your worst topics is a good way to focus on your weakest areas.
Exam season may be a troubling time of the year, but with a bit of forethought about your exams, you can make sure that you’re prepared to tackle anything. As soon as the exams are over, there will be plenty of time to sit back and relax until the results come in.