Bearsden AcademyBearsden Academy

Exam Preparation and Exam Preparation and TechniquesTechniques

Arrangements for ExamsArrangements for Exams

You have all received your examination timetable. Spare copies are available at the school office.

Re-read the information for candidates on the first two pages to ensure that you know exactly what you need to do and where and when to report.

Pack your bag the night before to ensure that you have all of the equipment you need and work to revise should you have any time to wait around between exams.

Be early – this will help you to stay calm. You should report for your exam ten minutes before the allocated time.

Have a good breakfast – your brain needs food!

If your exam is morning only, go home to study in the afternoon. If you are studying between examinations, you should use the

canteen area.

Additional InformationAdditional Information

If you are very unwell and cannot make an examination, you must phone school first thing in the morning of your scheduled exam and let me know.

Leave books, bags etc. in your lockers.

If you arrive late for an exam, contact me immediately.

Mobile phones are not permitted in exams at any time.

Pupils with exam clashes will be issued with an individual plan today.

Pupils with extra time have received information from Mr Lindsay – if not, please see him urgently.

Music practical timings and Modern Languages oral exam timings have been communicated through class teachers. Please alert me should you have any concerns about any aspect of exam arrangements.

Exam Revision and TechniqueExam Revision and Technique

Revision tipsRevision tips

Choose somewhere suitable to work that is comfortable, quiet and away from distractions.

Cards for making revision notes and flashcards.

A3 sheets to give you the ‘Big Picture’ and for mind maps.

Study with a friend. Test each other and teach each other!

Highlighter pens.

A folder in which to keep your revision materials.

‘Post-Its’ to post up key words, definitions or vocabulary.

PLAN don’t PROCRASTINATE!

REVISION TIMETABLEREVISION TIMETABLE

Start well in advance and work out how much time you will need

Fit around other essential activities that have to be included

Plan free time for yourself to relax and have some fun

Get up early

Make sure you share time between subjects although some may take more

Blank prelim study planners will be in blue wallets tomorrow for you and revision cards will be on my coffee table from Friday, should you wish to uplift a pile.

  Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

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USE A RANGE OF REVISION TECHNIQUESUSE A RANGE OF REVISION TECHNIQUES

Revision notes

Flash cards

Mind maps

Cover and recall

Review Cycle: keep going back to something you need to know to refresh your memory

Revise with someone else and share ideas

Get someone to test you

Highlight key words and apply to flash cards.

Apply your knowledge by doing practice exam questions or making plans for answers

On the day, read the question thoroughly!On the day, read the question thoroughly!

Can you follow instructions?

Read items 1 to 10 and complete the instructions. You have three minutes to complete this task.

1. Write your name in the bottom right corner of the paper. 2. Draw a circle in the upper right corner of this paper. 3. Draw a triangle in the bottom right hand corner of this

paper. 4. Write ‘yes’ on the back of this page. 5. Circle the word you have just written. 6. Draw a small square in the bottom left corner of this

paper. 7. Put a cross in the square you have just drawn. 8. Call out your name when you reach this point. 9. On the back of this sheet add 264 and 81. 10. Complete items 1 and 2 only.

WHAT ARE COMMAND WORDS?WHAT ARE COMMAND WORDS?

Command or directive words are those words in exam questions such as: ‘outline’, ‘identify’ or ‘assess’ which tell you what you should do in your answer.

Ignore them at your peril

EXAMPLES OF COMMAND WORDSEXAMPLES OF COMMAND WORDS

identifyoutlinedescribedefinerelateexaminesummarise

explaininterpretexplorediscussassessevaluatecompare

WHY ARE COMMAND WORDS IMPORTANT?WHY ARE COMMAND WORDS IMPORTANT?

Command words relate to the mark scheme which the marker has in front of them

Ignore them and you will lose marks. For example ‘outline and assess in a question’ might have 50% of marks attached to each command word. Fail to do one of these and you lose half the marks

Command words are a guide to planning an answer.

Pay attention to how many marks are allocated to each question and section!

Good LuckGood Luck

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