|
As
the Exam day approaches...
- Try not to study excessively the day before the exam.
Do something relaxing (but don't go out partying!).
Exercise is good because it makes you physically tired
(and likely to sleep well).
- Get a good sleep on the night before.
Ensure that you will awaken with plenty of time to get
to the exam without rushing. Prepare your materials
(eg. Calculator, pens etc.) the night before.
- Immediately prior to the exam
Do not discuss your coursework or preparation with colleagues.
If possible, do not even take your notes–it is
unlikely that further revision will make any difference
and might make you more anxious.
- Make
sure you have devised a strategy for the day
It is important to frame a clear strategy for dealing
with the examination on the day.
- Anticipate
how you will deal with memory blocks.
- Where
will you get most of your marks?
- Consider
how you will spend your time.
|
|
 |
Try using the following formula for allocating time
to each question:
|
|
20%
= Planning,
70%
= Writing,
10%
= Checking
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eg.
A 3 hour (180 minute) examination comprises 5 questions
with different marks for each question. How will you allocate
your time?
Total
Marks
Per Question |
Total
Time Allocated
Per
Question
|
Breakdown
of time (minutes)
|
Planning
|
Writing
|
Checking
|
|
| Q.1
Marks = 18 |
18
x 180/100 = 32 mins |
6 |
23 |
3 |
| Q.2
Marks = 24 |
24
x 180/100 = 43 mins |
8 |
31 |
4 |
| Q.3
Marks = 13 |
13
x 180/100 = 25 mins |
5 |
18 |
2 |
| Q.4
Marks = 17 |
17
x 180/100 = 30 mins |
6 |
21 |
3 |
| Q.5
Marks = 28 |
28
x 180/100 = 50 mins |
10 |
35 |
5 |
| Total
Marks = 100 |
Total
Minutes per task =
|
35 |
128 |
17 |
|
Now,
consider this slightly radical strategy…
Immediately you are told that you can start writing, spend
the next 35 minutes Planning answers to the questions.
This particularly applies to questions where construction plays
a major part in your answer (eg. essays, short answer, long
numerical problems). By doing this you are taking out insurance
on your memory going blank later on. Planning may take less
time than you have allotted and this will leave extra time to
spend on writing and checking your answers.
Once
you have completed planning each question begin Writing.
Keep an eye on your watch and only spend the allocated time
answering each question from your plan–do not panic if
you haven’t completed the whole question. Your job is to
complete the paper.
When
you have finished the paper (or used all of your allocated time)
then go back and Check your answers for the next
17 minutes–you may not need all of this time if you are
sure about the solutions to some problems. If you know you cannot
complete a question properly then refer to your original plan
and write the answer in point form. You may gain some marks
for your attempt.
The
key to this strategy is being prepared to stick to it rigidly
even if you feel like you are having trouble completing questions.
If this particular strategy does not suit you then try to develop
a strategy of your own. In order to make an exam strategy work
you must practice solving typical exam problems within a time
limit so that you become confident in using the approach in
a real examination. Try using old examinations to perfect your
approach.
>>The
Big Day
