Study Skills Revision and Exam Tips Guide
Revision Revision may be dreaded by many students but if you plan and prepare well you should find revision and the subsequent exams a little less stressful. This leaflet will give you some tips on how to revise effectively.
Organisation Timescale – how long until your exams? Find out dates, times, which topics to cover etc. Make a study plan – prioritise you topics (which exam comes first/which is the hardest) and factor in other commitments (such as work). Practicalities – make others (family/friends) aware of your need to revise and chose the most comfortable environment.
Tips Keep a track of your progress – adjust your study plan if you find one area isn’t going as well as others. Don’t shy away from harder topics – timetable them in and get extra help if you need it, they won’t get any easier by ignoring them. Take regular breaks – give your eyes/hand/brain a rest and make sure you eat healthily. Low blood sugar = fuzzy brain! You have a life away from study – schedule some leisure time and enjoy it. When you work, work; when you relax, relax. Cramming = putting too much into your brain at the last minute; cramming = stress; stress = brain rejecting information.
Night before the exam – if you’ve followed your plan you should be fairly relaxed. Look through your notes, find something relaxing to do. Check the time and location of the exam, prepare any equipment you might need (calculators, dictionary etc.) and get a good night’s sleep.
How to revise There are lots of different methods of revising, chose one you feel most comfortable with, or try a mixture. Notes- keep them brief/key facts or theories. Testing – use past papers under exam conditions, or ask yourself questions at the end of the topic/chapter. Mind-maps – start with the main topic, then branch out to include other theories/arguments. Lists – help you to quickly prioritise what you need to do. Other people – get together with a friend and compare your study or test each other. Recording – tape yourself and listen to it another time. Use the study skills books in the LRC. If you use some of these revision tips you should find your path to exams a little easier to follow. Good luck!!
Exam Tips Exams can be a nervous time; this leaflet offers some advice.
Before the exam Have breakfast, it is the most important meal of the day! Make sure you know when your exam starts, its location (room number) and leave plenty of time to arrive. Have your ID card and personal candidate number. Have the right equipment with you – pens, pencils, rulers, calculators etc… take spares in case your pen runs out.
During the exam Look through the whole exam paper at the beginning, don’t dive in and start answering. Mark the difficult questions note down initial thoughts. Read the questions carefully and follow instructions. Select the questions that will best demonstrate your knowledge. Jot down notes before you answer the question – do a rough plan. Don’t write down everything you know - make sure you are answering the question. Answer the questions you know more about first – this will build your confidence. Write neatly. Take a deep breath and relax. Keep an eye on the time.
What does the question mean? Make sure you understand what the question is asking you, if you do not break it down. ANALYSE
Look in detail
ARGUE
To prove the case for something using evidence and reasoning
ASSESS
Decide how important one thing is compared to another
COMPARE
Look at similarities and differences – give reasons for differences
DESCRIBE
Give full and detailed account of topic
DISCUSS
Explore arguments for and against
EVALUATE
Decide how good something is and back up your judgement with evidence
EXPLAIN
Give reason for
SUMMARISE
Give a short account of the main points, leaving out detail and examples
After the exam Relax and then prepare for your next exam Recommended Readings these can found in the LRCs How to Pass Exams 371.3028 OBR The Exam Skills Handbook 37.3028 COT The Study Skills Handbook 371.30281 COT
City College Coventry
Compiled by Candis Ibberson LRC Advisor