A lesson for Uxbridge College students as part of an Introduction to University day at Brunel University on 14th November 2012.

1. +
How best to prepare for exams
Emily Danvers
Uxbridge College
Brunel University 14th November 2012

2. +
Raise your hand if this sounds like you,
Wave your hands if this really sounds
like you
“Planning aheadmyrevisingtalk thethe
“I keeppanic: I freeze up. I notes over
just reading is course on on bus
and over again and atbe revising, hours
when should the end of
phone on theIway there, right?” and I
“I really like exams!”
stare out of Ithe window whenaI single
of revising can’t remember should
thing I’m supposed to have learned.”
be writing in the exam”

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Objectives
 Look at some exam myths and truths
 Consider some effective revision strategies
 Practice ways to improve our memory

4. +
Complete the sentence…
Exams would be so much
easier if only….

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Reflection
 Whohas something written down that they can’t
change?
 Who has something written down that they can
do something about?
 Who knows how to do something about it?

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Exam Myths vs. Exam Truths
Myth Truth
 Exams are a memory game  Exams are a test of your
understanding as well as knowledge
 I hate exams, I’m bound to fail  Exams have advantages – be
positive and confront your attitudes
 If I fail, it’ll be the end of the
 Everyone wants you to pass but you
world
can only do your best. Put into
perspective.
 Exams are designed to catch  They are designed to test the
you out learning outcomes of the course.

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BETA Revision strategy
 Be prepared- look at the past papers so you know
the exam format and how this relates to the course
syllabus.
 Evaluateyour knowledge - Decide which topics you
might need to revise in detail and which you need to
cover only briefly.
 Timetable - Look at how much time you have
available and create a timetable. Plan ahead to fit
your revision around your life.
 Active -
condense notes, use memory tools, practice
past papers, form revision groups

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Revision routine
 Set times, targets and rewards
 Consider your environment - time of day, place
 Take regular breaks
 Work with friends
 Test yourself
…Work effectively not virtuously

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Revision Cycle…
Reinforce memory by reviewing 1 hour, 1 day and 3
days later.
Open University (2012)

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Revision and memory
Think about your learning style to create codes for
your mind to unlock on the day:
 Visual- mind maps, pictures, images
 Auditory –songs, poems, mnemonics
 Creative – stories, connection, analogies

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On the day
 Have a good breakfast
 Have a quick glance through notes
 Arrive early with spare pens/calculator
 Set yourself 5 minutes to read the exam paper
thoroughly
 Spend time planning and reviewing each exam
question
 Avoid negative people before and after the exam

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Exam anxiety
 Use a mantra to deal with negative messages e.g.
I can’t do this
 Positive objects/thoughts as motivators
 Take a
logical approach to stay on track e.g. I will
spend 5 minutes reading, 10 minutes reviewing
and 25 minutes on each question

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Conclusion
 Confrontyour exam attitudes – what might be
holding you back?
 Think
logically – what has the course covered?
What have previous exams covered?
 Revise actively and unlock the power of your
memory
 Get thebasics right on the day and your well-
trained brain will do the rest!

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Online Resources
 Leeds University (2012) Exam Skills Tutorial
http://library.leeds.ac.uk/skills-exams
 Open University (2012) Revision
http://www.open.ac.uk/skillsforstudy/revision.ph
p
 ReadingUniversity (2012) Preparing for Exams
http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/studyadvice/
StudyResources/sta-preparing.aspx