Tips for Exam Preparation

Give yourself enough time to study

you don't leave it until the last minute. While some students do seem to thrive on last-minute cramming, It is widely accepted that (for most of us)this is not the best way to approach an exam. To help sort out your time management, set up your timetable for your study. Write down how many exams you have and days on which you have to sit them. Then
Organise your study accordingly. You may want to give some exams more study times than others, so find a balance that you feel comfortable with.

Organize your study space

Make sure you have enough space to spread your textbooks and notes out. Have you got enough light? Is your chair comfortable? Are your computer games out of sight? Try and get rid of all distractions, and make sure you feel as comfortable and able to focus as possible. For some people, this may mean almost complete silence, for others, background music helps. Some of us need everything completely tidy and organised in order to concentrate, while others thrive in a more cluttered environment. Think about what works for you and take the time to get it right.

Use flow charts and diagrams

Visual aids can be really helpful while revising.  At the start of a topic, chaallenge yourself to write down everything you already know about a topic and then highlight where the gaps lie. Closer to the exam, condense your exam notes into one page diagrams. Getting your ideas down in this brief format can then hepl you to quickly recall everything you need to know during the exam.

Practice on old exams

One of the most effective ways toprepare for exams is to practice taking past versions. This gepls you get used to the format of the questions, and if you time yourself can also be good practice for making sure you spend the right amount of time on each section.

Explain your answers to others

Parents and little brothers and sisters don't have to be annoying around exam time. use them to your advantage. Explain and answer to a question to them. That will help you to get it clear in your head, and also to highlight any areas where you need more.

Have group study sessions

Get together with friends for a study session. You may have questions that they have the anwers to and vice versa. As long as you make sure you stay focused on the topic for an agreed amount of time, this can be one of the most effective ways to challenge yourself.

Take regular breaks

While you may think it's the best to study for as many hours as possible, this can actually be counterproductive. If you were training for a marathon, you wouldn't try and run 24 hours a day. Likewise studies have shown that for long term retention of knowledge, taking regular breaks really helps. 

Everyone's different, so develop a study routine that works for you. If you study better in the morning, start early before taking a break at lunchtime. Or, if you are more productive at night time, take a larger break earlier so that you settle down accordingly.

Snack on brain food

You may feel like you deserve a treat, or that you don't have time to cook but what you eat can really have an impact on energy levels and focus, so keep away from junk food. Keep you body and brain well fuelled by choosing nutritious foods that have been proven to aid concentration and memory, such as fish, nuts, seeds, yougurt and blueberries. The same applies on exam day - eat a good meal before the test. Based on the foods that will provide a slow release of energy throughout. Sugar may seem appealing, but your energy level will crash an hour later. 

Plan your exam day

Make sure you get evreything ready well in advance of the exam and don't leave it to the day before to suddenly realize you don't kow the way or what you are supposed to bring. Check all the rules and requirements and plan your route and journey time. If posible, do a test run of the trip. If not, write down clear directions. Work out how long will it take to get there then add on some extra time. You really don't want to arrive having had to run halfway or feeling frazzled from losing your way. You could also make plans to travel to the exam with friends or classmates, as long as you know they're likely to be punctual. 
Drinking plenty of water
As a final tip, remember that being well hydrated is essential for your brain to work at its best. Make sure you keep drinking plenty of water throughout your revision and also on exam day.

Good Luck from XIPT!