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The way that is best to complete well in exams would be to make sure you are well prepared and now have done your revision.

For help, see our advice on Revision strategies and memory techniques.

Exam preparation checklist

The night before:

  • Check the right time and place of the exam.
  • Check the equipment is had by you you need – pens, pencils, calculator, water etc
  • Determine what to wear. Wear layers just in case the exam room is hot or cold.
  • Make certain you have your Student ID card!
  • Set an alarm so that you have enough time each morning.
  • Eat well and get sleep that is enough you can easily.

At the time:

  • Eat a good breakfast.
  • Check you’ve got all you need for the exam before leaving home.
  • Arrive at the exam room in good time.
  • Get some good fresh air on the way in which if possible.
  • Turn your phone off and place it in your bag as instructed because of the invigilator.
  • Take water to the exam room.

In the exam room:

  • Check again that you have all that’s necessary. For those who have forgotten something important, inform the invigilator.
  • Place your watch in your bag as instructed because of the invigilator.
  • Check you may be comfortable.
  • If you have any nagging problems let the invigilator know immediately.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Answering MCQ exams is quite different to exams that are essay-based. Often the marks are evenly weighted for all the questions; however, some will need you more than others to answer.

  • See the instructions carefully.
  • Read through all of the relevant questions quickly. Answer all the ones you definitely know first and then leave the ones that are hard last.
  • Try to think of the answer before you appear at the choices.

What if my mind goes blank mid-answer?

Re-read what you have written up to now and appear at your plan. If this does not help, simply leave a gap. You will probably recall the information that is missing you relax towards the end associated with exam. Then come back to your answer and finish it.

Let’s say I’m running away from time?

Remain calm. Look at just how many questions you have got left to resolve and work out how enough time you need to devote to each question. You’ll likely gain the essential marks if you attempt all of the answers in the place of spending on a regular basis on a few questions and missing some out altogether. So you can return to the question later if you have time if you have lots of ideas and are reluctant to leave an unfinished question, write them down in pencil.

Advice from an examiner

The tips below may seem obvious, but reading them beforehand shall allow you to remember them while you are into the exam room.

Browse the instructions

Make sure you are unmistakeable on how questions that are many have to answer. If questions are divided in to sub-questions, check whether you have to answer one of the sub-questions or each of them. Check always the relative back of the paper for further questions.

Read all the questions carefully

Go through the questions before making a decision in the combination that is best. Make sure you know very well what the relevant real question is asking you. Underline the words that are key phrases.

Plan your time and effort

Plan the right time you can spend on each question and enable time for checking at the conclusion of the exam.

Check the marks

Check how marks that are many readily available for each question. If the number that is same of is designed for each question, make sure you allocate roughly the exact same period of time every single one.

Plan each answer

Plan each answer on a rough-working page before writing it for the examiners. This can help you to structure your answer.

Note from the examiner: Most students believe they get the maximum benefit marks for correct facts. The logic, clarity and organisation of the work are at least as important as its content to we do your essay the contrary.

Answer comprehensively the question

Ensure you answer the question that is regarding the paper and not the only you hoped could be there!

Note from the examiner: the fault that is commonest any written tasks are a failure to help keep to the level and answer fully the question. You need to assess what is relevant when you write an examination answer. So what does the question ask?

Write legibly

Your handwriting is very important. Make sure to make sure that it is legible.

Note from the examiner: If you know your handwriting is hard for other individuals to see, train you to ultimately write more clearly. If writing is indeed unclear that the language have to be puzzled out one by one, it really is difficult to put the separate words together within one’s mind and grasp the overall meaning.

Name the key thinkers/experts

When you discuss ideas/techniques related to specific individuals, mention their name. If possible, give an indication regarding the written book or article title.

Give examples

Where relevant, illustrate theory with concrete examples.

Note through the examiner: if you have a ‘stock example’ that your textbooks or even the lectures always quote, you will need to give a example that is different. This indicates that you have got understood that presssing issue good enough to recognize a good example on your own. It is more impressive than simply memorising the stock example.

Use most of the time

You ought to aim to complete your answers ahead of when the end of the exam and make use of the time that is extra check your answers and correct any mistakes.