Exam Preparation

Exam Prep

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 2 Weeks before...

Tools and advice

Help a friend

Talking through what you have learned with a friend can help you clarify a subject in your mind and help you remember.

If you don't have someone free to work with you then you could try the Feynman technique.


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Voice recorder:

Record yourself explaining a topic and listen back when you are on the bus or walking the dog.

Most smart phones have a voice recorder or you could use an app like Evernote. Alternatively you could use a dictaphone if you have one available.

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Refresh on what you have already revised

Once you have moved on from revising a topic, remember to go back and refresh on what you know. Have concise and organised notes will help with this. Create flash cards as a way of prompting your memory.

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Flash card tips

Be visual - pictures, colour coding, highlighting key text and creating diagrams may make the information on a flashcard more memorable.

Use both sides - write an idea, concept, term on one side in large letters and explain/elaborate on the other. You can test yourself or better still get a friend and test each other.

Take them everywhere - to make your flashcards manageable on the move, punch a hole in the corner of each and attach them to a key ring. That way they can be kept in order and you can easily take them where ever you want with misplacing any.

Make your own - making your own revision cards will not only personalise them to you but creating them may also help you remember and understand the information. If however you want some examples of how others have created revision cards then take a look at Quizlet where you can make digital flash cards and look at what other students have done.


Practice past paper

Most awarding bodies will have past papers and mark schemes available online. Ask your teacher if you are unsure about the awarding body for your qualification.

Start by just answering the questions so you can be familiar with the way they are worded and what might be asked. As you complete more papers and your confidence increases try to replicate exam conditions - that means working within the time limit and not looking at your notes.

Ask your teacher to explain anything you are still unclear about

This would be a good time to identify any gaps in your knowledge and pick your teachers brain about it. Use the previous tips to consolidate this new information.