Having adequate preparation for examinations is an important part of learning. Below are ten points on how a good student should prepare.
1. Start Now
Practising, studying and revising should begin right from the start of a course. It is detrimental for students to waste their first, second or third years of study and only begin preparing when examinations are near. Remember, time wasted is never recovered.
Preparation should begin as soon as the term, semester or year of study starts and continue until the examinations are due. The earlier one starts moving consistently, the greater the distance covered.
2. Examine Yourself
Before facing official examinations, it is important to test yourself. Use exercises, quizzes and past examination papers.
Whether you pass or fail your personal test, do not put your head down or become too excited. Take the result as motivation to improve or maintain your performance. Always strive to do better than before.
3. Revise Regularly
Make studying part of your daily routine. Let different subjects appear on your timetable and revise something every day.
If you attempt only three questions daily, that becomes at least 21 questions in one week and more than 80 in a month. You can read that again! With consistent practice, examinations become much easier.
4. Manage Your Time Well
Prepare a good study plan and follow it. However, find time to relax and enjoy healthy leisure activities. Rest keeps the mind strong and ready to deal with learning challenges.
5. Know Examination Questions
Become familiar with examination-type questions. The more acquainted you become with them, the better prepared you will be to answer them correctly. This is important for building confidence.
6. Do Not Rush
When presented with an examination paper, do not rush into answering. Many mistakes are made because students begin before understanding the questions.
Pause and allow your body, mind, heart and soul to connect. Take a deep breath and pray to God for help in remembering what you studied. Then begin answering. You may be amazed by the results.
7. Be Strategic
Begin with questions you can easily handle and answer them correctly. Questions you find difficult can follow later. This keeps the mind strong and preserves time for the final challenges.
8. Understand Your Course
Understand the importance of what you are studying. Know its aims, how it relates to your life and what contribution you can make through the knowledge and skills gained.
9. Do Not Study in Isolation
No matter how competent you are, be willing to share ideas with your classmates. We all learn from others, so students should encourage and stimulate one another while preparing for examinations.
10. Do Not Panic
When examination time finally arrives, do not panic. Be content with what you already know. Instead of searching for too much new information at the last minute, revise and consolidate what you have already learned.
When time is limited, concentrating on a few things you understand is often better. Save the final moments for relaxing your brain. This is quite important.