Exam preparation
Quick study guide 20
Examination strategies Before the exam:
Focus on revision, not re-learning
• Listen for verbal clues offered in lectures and tutorials.
• Use the Unit Guide to create an overview of themes and topics.
• Prepare a pre-examination study timetable. Share your time between subjects, according to available marks.
• Identify problem areas and work on these first.
• Aim for understanding, not just memorising the material.
• Study actively—verbalise and visualise your revision. Pose questions before you start.
• Use concept maps/diagrams.
• Revise tutorial problems.
• Work in groups (be creative and challenging) and individually.
• Do past exams (under exam conditions, including handwriting) and discuss your answers with your lecturers and tutors (where possible), or use annotated sample answers.
• Take effective breaks (planned and limited) - regular exercise is good for this.
Get organised
• Get enough sleep - synchronise your body clock with exam times.
• Prepare your exam resources - pens, calculators, ID card, etc.
• Check the day/time/place for your exam.
• Check your transport and, if necessary, parking arrangements.
• Know what you are permitted to take into the examination room, especially if the exam is ‘open book’ style.
During the exam:
During reading time
• Read the entire paper thoroughly.
• Check instructions (optional/compulsory; short/long answers etc)
• Allocate time proportionally to the value of each question.
• Decide on the order of your answers and organise plans (mentally if writing is not permitted) Aafter reading time
• Tick and order the questions you plan to answer.
• Re-read the questions and underline key words and phrases.
• Write notes/brief outline answers in your exam booklet.
When answering questions
• Make sure you answer ALL questions – one excellent answer will not compensate for a missed one (= zero).
• Keep
Examination strategies Before the exam:
Focus on revision, not re-learning
• Listen for verbal clues offered in lectures and tutorials.
• Use the Unit Guide to create an overview of themes and topics.
• Prepare a pre-examination study timetable. Share your time between subjects, according to available marks.
• Identify problem areas and work on these first.
• Aim for understanding, not just memorising the material.
• Study actively—verbalise and visualise your revision. Pose questions before you start.
• Use concept maps/diagrams.
• Revise tutorial problems.
• Work in groups (be creative and challenging) and individually.
• Do past exams (under exam conditions, including handwriting) and discuss your answers with your lecturers and tutors (where possible), or use annotated sample answers.
• Take effective breaks (planned and limited) - regular exercise is good for this.
Get organised
• Get enough sleep - synchronise your body clock with exam times.
• Prepare your exam resources - pens, calculators, ID card, etc.
• Check the day/time/place for your exam.
• Check your transport and, if necessary, parking arrangements.
• Know what you are permitted to take into the examination room, especially if the exam is ‘open book’ style.
During the exam:
During reading time
• Read the entire paper thoroughly.
• Check instructions (optional/compulsory; short/long answers etc)
• Allocate time proportionally to the value of each question.
• Decide on the order of your answers and organise plans (mentally if writing is not permitted) Aafter reading time
• Tick and order the questions you plan to answer.
• Re-read the questions and underline key words and phrases.
• Write notes/brief outline answers in your exam booklet.
When answering questions
• Make sure you answer ALL questions – one excellent answer will not compensate for a missed one (= zero).
• Keep