Exams require applying knowledge rather than just recalling facts. To apply knowledge, students need skills like identifying concepts, analyzing, and synthesizing. Practicing these skills is important for performing well in exams. Students should gather past exam questions and practice steps like identifying relevant information, classifying the problem type, and applying knowledge to transform the given information. Comparing answers to similar problems helps determine if the solution makes sense.

2. Exams are not about regurgitating facts from
lectures and texts like a robot. Instead you will need
to apply the facts you have learned.
apply a precedent
analyse
conclude

3. To apply your knowledge you will
need a range of academic skills,
such as:
identifying concepts and issues
describing
analysing
synthesising
evaluating

4. If you want to perform these skills well
under exam conditions, you have to
PRACTISE

5. GATHER MATERIALS to practice
your exam technique
old exam questions
sample exam questions
problem sheets
self study sheets
Here are some steps you can follow to help you
practice responding to the questions
1. Identify 2. Classify 3. Transform 4. Substitute 5. Compare

6. 1. IDENTIFY
What information has been supplied?
- all information is supplied for a purpose and
you will need to use it.
Therefore, what is its significance or use?
What else might I need to know?
What information am I required to supply?

7. 2. CLASSIFY
Given the type of information provided or
required, what kind of problem is this? (eg.
'negligence' or 'breach of contract'?)
Which area(s) of the course does it relate to?
Which solution method/principles will apply?

8. 3. TRANSFORM
You will need to manipulate the given
information, drawing on your additional
knowledge.
You must bring something to the problem
which enables you to transform the given
data into another form: models, formulae,
theories, facts

10. 5. Compare
Compare your result with
solutions to similar problems.
Does it look reasonable?
Is it in the right range or order
of magnitude?

11. TIP 1: CLASSIFY
Classifying problems is a vital step in
demonstrating your understanding of concepts,
and selecting solutions. Try to look at problems
away from the lectures and textbooks, so you
don’t know what kind of problem it is. Old exam
papers are an excellent source of ‘random’
problems.

12. TIP 2: REVISE OUT OF SEQUENCE
Try to revise out of sequence so that you can
access your knowledge without depending on
triggers, like the topic before and after. You
could shuffle your revision notes and pick
sheets at random to revise, or follow a revision
programme.

13. TIP 3: TEST YOURSELF
Early in your revision, start
working through problems
without notes, then correct and
complete them from your notes
to see where you need more
study.

14. TIP 4: REVISE WITH OTHERS
Complete problems with other
students, to learn from their
different insights into the problem.