4 Tips to Improve Exam Success

Posted by David Brannan on Oct 19, 2018 at 2:55 PM

Article by Abi Cool

Sitting for an examination is one process that a lot of students dread. While this process naturally sits well with some, the anxiety that others go through during preparation is almost constant. In preparing for examination, the truth is that there is no static formula for every individual. Every person learns differently; some assimilate speedily while others do not. This said however, with the right attitude and approach, it is possible for anyone to ace an examination.

Here are some tips that can be beneficial to every type of learner:

Plan Ahead

Many months before your exam, it is possible to push your need to study to a further date. There is also another possibility that you could get straight into reading without a plan.

There are several topics to cover for an examination and so, having to organize how much time to give in daily might just be a practical approach. This is particularly important for students who have examinations for different subjects. This decision is also necessary to keep anxiety in check- as you make proper preparation, your confidence level gets better.

As pointed out earlier, everybody studies differently so you need not try to adapt to a friend’s routine. Begin to study in time and set practical goals. Attempting past questions is a fantastic way to build yourself towards your examinations.

Understand that your schedule should give space for rest too as sleep is important to boost your memory and assimilate information better. 

Ask For Help

There is no harm in getting a helping hand for your studies. The help you get would ease up the whole preparation process for you.

No matter what level you are, it is always possible to get a tutor to take you through a subject that seems tough. Even for young pupils, Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) Tuition is obtainable. Tutorship provides a one-to-one teaching relationship that allows more attention to be given to the learning needs of a student.

You could also consider studying with other individuals as this helps to provide moral support and motivation. The possibility of contributing positively to the group discussions has a tendency to spike your interest in topics.

Eat Healthily

You might be wondering how dietetics jumped into this conversation. Let us briefly look into a scenario. A student spent many weeks studying for an upcoming exam. Few days to the examination, he is certain that he has comfortably gone through the topics that should be covered and his confidence has spiked. On the day of the examination, the young lad sits down to write and the only thing that he can think of is his rumbling stomach.

Many people can relate to this story. With an empty stomach, it gets really distracting to concentrate on such a brain tasking activity. This could impede all your hard work. While preparing for an examination, it is necessary to maintain a healthy diet. There are several foods with the ability to boost your attention span and prepare your brain for the work ahead. Junk food might not be the best.

The meal taken before an examination might often be overlooked. This meal is as important as your revision process. Recall, however, that the idea is not to leave yourself feeling bloated but to keep yourself with enough energy for your brain to expend. Just know that an empty stomach is no friend to an examination candidate.
 

Inside the Exam Room

When the time comes to execute the action you have been preparing for, it is only expected that you pour your best into it. Several times, due to anxiety, you may act counter-productive without knowing.

Few minutes to the exam, you may be tempted to get into a discussion on topics you have read and covered- try not to. This could cause you to doubt all the work you have put in. Comparing yourself with others, you might begin to think you did not prepare enough. It is important to stay calm before the examination and so, all revision should be done many hours before the exam.

While in the exam hall, read instructions carefully and divide your time appropriately among the questions. This would enable you not to spend too much time on questions with lesser marks while those with the larger marks are untouched. It also gives you some confidence and helps you relax while giving your answers.

Conclusion

At some point in our lives, sitting for an examination is necessary to prove our knowledge in a given field. With the right approach to preparation, anybody can get past the panic and ace an examination. While we all have different approaches towards studying effectively, the above tips can apply to everyone.

Be sure to create a schedule or reading plan. For subjects that appear tough to understand, getting a tutor is a brilliant idea. It is also advisable to eat properly and sleep well as this helps to keep your brain attentive to the task at hand.