How to Successfully

Prepare for Your EXAMS

Five Steps to be successful on your EXAMS

Step One- Believe in YourselfStep Two- Get OrganizedStep Three- Manage Your TimeStep Four- Study SmartStep Five- Exam Taking Strategies

“ To succeed, we must first believe that we can.” Michael Korda

Step One- Believe in Yourself!

A. It is important to have a positive mindset!

B. Recognize your strengths and weaknesses.

C.Set realistic goals. Know your current marks!

Step Two- Get Organized

HOW???

A. Notes Keep course notes together & separate

from other courses Put notes in chronological order Ensure you have all resources (e.g.,textbook, calculator, tests etc.) Classmates phone number

B. Exam Schedule Be sure to find the following information ahead of time and record in your Calander!!

Course Code:________ Section: __ Date: ________ Time: ____ Rm: ___

Step Three- Manage Your Time

Create a STUDY SCHEDULE• - What time of day do you learn • best? - What activities do you have to work around? - How many exams do you have? - How much time exists from now until exams?

Be realistic!

Avoid CRAMMING!

Use a COMBINATION of STUDY METHODS E.g., discuss aloud, use flash cards, charts, listen to tapes, etc. DO NOT just read over your notes!Review the material 3 X's using different methods.

Step Four- Study Smart

REMEMBER:You are trying to organize the INFORMATION in your HEAD!!!

Step Four: Study Smart “Students learn 10% of what they read, 20%

of what they hear, 30% of what they see, 50% of what they see & hear, 70% of what is discussed with others, 80% of what they experience personally, & 95% of what they teach to someone else.”

William Glasser

How to Study for Exams1. Know what is going to be on the exam.2. Organize the material needed to be studied into

40 minutes portions. Take a break after each portion.

We learn best at the ‘start & end’ of a study session3. When reviewing a topic ask yourself, Who, What, When, Where, Why & How. 4. Pay close attention during EXAM REVIEW.

Step Four- Study Smart

How to Study for Exams5. If you have a Textbook, review bold terms. 6. If you have a Review Sheet, complete it.7. Write down any names, dates, formulas,

definitions or facts that need to be memorized on an index card. Continue reviewing the information until the exam.

Step Four- Study Smart

  

 

Before an EXAM!!

. Eat well & be well rested. Do NOT watch TV or play computer games before going to bed prior to the exam.

LAST minute studying and Cramming does not HELP. So make sure that you have had enough SLEEP!

Step Five: Exam Taking Strategies Show up 10 minutes early Lockers Go to the washroom Have everything you need with you Dress appropriately (Warm outside but cool inside) Books, bags, coats are left at the front of the room Write facts, formulas at the top of the exam A.S.A.P. Read over the exam and develop a plan (E.g., Determine the amount of time you need to spend on each

section of the exam and start with the questions you know) Return to the questions you are not sure of Take the time to check your answers before you

finish Write your name on the top of each page

STEP FIVE: EXAM TAKING STRATEGIES

A) True and False Questions:

Read the statement carefully. For a statement to be true,

every part of it must be true. Be cautious of the words

ALWAYS and NEVER in a statement!

'Absolutes' are often incorrect answers

B) Multiple Choice Questions: Hide the answers and answer the question

without looking at any of the options. Then look for your answer.

Read the STEM of the question with each of the possible answers.

If you are not sure of an answer, eliminate the choices you know are incorrect by crossing them out, and then make an educated guess.

'Absolutes' are often incorrect answersEg., never, always, every, etc.

C) Essay Questions: Start with the question you know most about! First brainstorm, then organize information. Be neat and write in complete sentences. Paragraph One - state the question and tell the

reader what they can expect to learn from the essay. Middle Paragraphs - present examples, details,

evidence, and facts to support the points you are making.

Final Paragraph-restate your position along with a quick summary.

D) Short Answers

Keep your answer simple and to the point. Do not re-state the question!

Be neat and write in complete sentences.

Use the marks allotted as a guide to how many valid points you need to include in your answer!

“If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astonish ourselves.”

Thomas Edison