In the examination room...

• Use your reading time effectively.
  Map out your strategy based on questions you can answer and marks available. Leave harder questions to last. Allocate time based on the marks available allowing some extra time to go back and proof your answer.
• Read each question carefully.
  Make sure you understand what is expected of you in each question. Answer the question being asked, not the question you would like to answer!
• When you are allowed to write, jot down planning notes for ALL questions.
  One approach is to do all of your planning before commencing to write the actual answer (ie the first 35 minutes of the paper is available for planning answers to all of the questions, as discussed earlier). Jotting notes against the more difficult questions means that you can answer the easier questions knowing that there are some thoughts to inspire you when you get to the tough patch. You will also remember more once you start writing answers. Jot notes as they occur to you, even while you are answering other questions.
• For essay questions use your notes to create a brief essay plan.
  This will help if you need to make points in note form due to lack of time.
• Write quickly and neatly.
  If time runs short then make points in note form. Use your plan to explain how you would have completed the question if time had not run out. This can often gain you extra marks.
• If you are required to calculate answers then show your working.
  If you run short of time then tell the examiner in point form how you would have solved the calculation. Credit is often possible despite the absence of totally correct computations. You can waste a lot of time going back through computations despite having used the correct method.
• Leave space at the end of questions in case you wish to add more.
  Always start a question on a fresh page. Leave an extra page at the end of questions if you think you would like to add to your answer later on.
• Stick igidly to your exam plan.
  Do not spend more time writing the answer to a question than you have allocated in your plan. Remember, you have allocated sufficient checking time to enable you to fix up any major problems (and not all questions will require the full allocation of checking time so you will have extra time for the difficult questions).
• If you get stumped by a particular question then move on.
  There is no point wasting valuable time agonising over a key point you can’t seem to remember. If you can answer more of the question without the missing information then continue, otherwise, move on to another question. Often the point will suddenly occur to you if you stop trying to force yourself to remember, and focus your mind on another topic.
• During the exam don't pay attention to what other people are doing.
  If you start to panic then take some deep breaths. Write down anything you can think of which may help you remember your study. Wait until you feel calmer before proceeding. If necessary, go on to the next question and come back later. Sometimes not thinking about a problem can help you recall the answer
• Aim to answer all questions required since you will score better overall.
  Unattempted questions get no marks! Do not spend extra time on questions hoping for a perfect score- this is most unlikely if you don't at least attempt all questions.
• If you have multiple-choice questions always look for the most correct answer.
  Make an intelligent guess (but be sure that there is no penalty for wrong answers!!!).