founder of naked leader
How to Pass your Exams
Naked Leader Week – 208 (w/c Monday 28 May 2007)
Sent early by request of many parents…
How to Pass your Exams
Please share this with anyone you know who has exams at the moment. It is probably the most requested subject for NL Week at the moment, and it is sent in conjunction with our new CD – Pass That Exam.
The Top Ten Tips
In Advance…
1 Study past exam papers and take a mock exam in them…
…With the same time period etc. Past exam papers are invaluable.
2 Schedule your revision periods to suit your best energy times
You may be a “morning person” or an “evening person” – schedule your main revision periods accordingly.
- When you feel tired…
Take a break, or switch subjects, sometimes changing a subject can be as good as a break.
- Believe that you will do well
We automatically move in the direction of whatever we think about most – being optimistic will help you be more relaxed, more open to learning and is proven to help in your exam. Also, listen to music that helps you relax –which may be The Arctic Monkeys.
- Use a memory technique
There are thousands available – choose one from the web – and use post-it notes all over your books.
- Parents out… be seen and not heard, be there to make tea and offer help when you are asked for it…
In The Exam
- “If you don’t know it now, you never will…”
Is a myth. Short term memory is very powerful, so have a refresh just before you go into the exam – this will gain you extra marks, provided you are…
- …Relaxed
If you relaxed while revising (see 4) then you are more likely to be relaxed in the exam.
- Glance through the exam paper in advance before writing anything…
And notice the questions that you CAN answer and be proud of yourself at your preparation – answer these questions first to gain confidence
- Plan your time
And use up all of it. You can always gain an extra mark here or there with additional points that will come to you later on. And if you run out of time put a summary of what points you were going to cover – e.g. If you run out of time with only 10 minutes left for a 30-minute question, then do it in outline only – stating the main points and facts, if an essay – and by jotting down formulae and how you would use them to reach a solution, if science or maths. More marks can be gained this way with limited time available.
With thanks to Warwick University, the BBC and many children at many schools…
I wish you well
David
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