How can we prepare for exams

You do not want to waste your study time on discussions that will not help you learn the material. Flashcards can be a useful tool for studying important terms, concepts, formulas and even quotes from reading assignments. You can also use quizlet, studyblue and studystack. You can also use games like Jeopardy to learn and remember vocabulary. Seth Clabough For Faculty. How to Prepare for Exams. Study in Chunks When chunking material, divide material into smaller clusters of five, seven or nine.

Use Daylight Hours We tend to be most alert during the day. Make Healthy Choices Don't skip out on eating or sleeping. Active Learning Active, not passive, learning is the most fundamental principle of efficient studying. For example, ask yourself: Is this important? How is this part organized? Where does this fit into the big picture? What is the definition of this term?

When have I learned this concept before? Find the Right Place to Study Every student has different preferences for where they get their best work done. Get Organized Organize all of your notes, PowerPoints from class and study tools before you begin studying. Plan Ahead Plan ahead for each of your exams. Say, "Goodbye" to Distractions Eliminate anything that disrupts your thought pattern when studying. Some examples of distractions are: Turn off notifications to social media and other apps for the week that are distracting If your hunger is distracting, keep healthy snacks on hand If your roommates are distracting, find a quiet spot in the McGraw-Page Library to get work done If your family likes to call during your allotted study times, establish expectations and communicate your goals 9.

This will help you to retain things and know the areas where you are lacking and need more work. Your learning style will help you to know what are the best ways to prepare for an examination. For instance, if you are an auditory learner, you may benefit from recording your notes and then listening to them later, or you can even listen to lecture recordings.

On the other hand, if you are a visual learner, pictures and diagrams can help you remember. So explore what your learning style is so that you can memorise significant facts and understand key concepts.

While it may seem that studying for more hours may result in more productivity, it's actually the opposite, and it might just wholly drain you out, leaving you with no energy to study and retain knowledge. Always keep in mind that everyone is different, so what works for you might not work for others.

When building a study routine, consider taking intervals when it works best for you. For instance, if you study better at night, take your break early. And if you are more productive in the morning, start studying first before taking a break during lunchtime. Do Not Cram Staying up all night and cramming will only make you more anxious and stressed out.

This will keep you refreshed on the day of your exam. The key exam preparation you should be doing the night before your exam includes the following:. Ask for Help In case you face trouble understanding a specific concept or subject, then do not hesitate to ask for help. Rather than trying to memorize or cram, taking guidance from someone can help you remember the concept for a longer time. Your family members can also help you by asking you questions related to your subject to see whether you have understood the concept or not.

Make sure you have everything ready way before the day of your exam and do not leave anything for the last day. Check all the requirements and make all the other necessary arrangements. Also, decide which route you will take on the day of the examination and see how much time it will take you to reach the destination.

This will help you to arrive on time at the examination centre and avoid being late. If you think that the route is too long, you can make plans to travel with your classmates or friends, as long as you know they will be punctual. Besides, do not forget to take at least a minimum of seven hours of sleep before the exam. Remember, exams are designed to test your thinking ability. So if you are sleep deprived, you might not be able to complete your exam in time or justify your answers correctly.

After finishing your exam, if you realise that you have given an incorrect answer to one of the questions, it may cause anxiety. So avoid evaluating your question paper because, at that point, you will be able to do nothing to change your answer or your score. Instead, stay focused on your studies and prepare for the next exam to ensure that you do not repeat the same mistake again. Drink Lots of Water As one of the most vital tips for exam day, always remember that keeping yourself hydrated will add to your overall positive mood and will make your brain work at its best.

So make sure to drink plenty of water while preparing for exams and even during the exam. Choose Eating Nutritious Foods Sometimes while studying, you may be tempted to eat junk food, but it can really impact your energy levels.

So avoid junk food and make sure you are eating nutritious and well-balanced meals that are good for your memory and concentration, such as seeds, nuts, fish, blueberries, and yogurt. Also, consider eating a healthy meal before the exam day that will provide a slow release of energy throughout the day. Bear in mind that you might crave sweet food, but it will crash your energy levels an hour later.

You must consider the exam tips and tricks for students mentioned above to get the most out of your exams. However, there might be other things that work better for you, so explore every option and ask your friends around to find out how they prepare for their exams — some of their final exam study tips might help you as well.

You can even seek guidance from your teachers at school. It is not clear why, but the suggestion is that the brain makes connections between the background and what you are studying: more different connections makes things easier to remember.

You cannot work solidly for 8 hours. In fact, it is very hard to work in a concentrated way for more than about an hour. You may find that some days you can do more, but mostly, one to one and a half hours is likely to be your limit before you need a break. This will ensure that you are prepared for the type of exam you will be sitting, whether multiple choice, short answer or essay. Know what you are expected to do: for example, how many questions from each section will you have to answer?

Of course, you still have to read the instructions on the paper itself, and make sure that they are the same, but this will help you to feel comfortable with what will be expected.

Also make sure that you know what to do if something goes wrong. You might, for example, be ill on the day, or get held up on the journey, and you need to know who to contact. Take a bit of time at least a week beforehand to make sure that you know the answers to all these questions. This will help you to stay reasonably relaxed, and ensure that you know what to do if something goes wrong, as well as minimising the chances of something going wrong.

Our eBooks are ideal for students at all stages of education, school, college and university. They are full of easy-to-follow practical information that will help you to learn more effectively and get better grades. As you get more experienced in taking exams, you will find the ways that work best for you, and learn how best to prepare.

In the meantime, these tips should give you a good starting point for study. Search SkillsYouNeed:. We'll never share your email address and you can unsubscribe at any time.