Exams and tests: tips for studying and answering questions

Find out about the test or the exam

� Check with your tutor about the format of the exam � will you be required to
write
essay answers or short paragraphs, or will the questions be in the form of multiple
choice?
� How long is the test or exam?
� How many questions will you have to answer?
� Will you have to answer all the questions or will there be a choice?
� What proportion of the total course mark is represented by this exam or test?
Find out what to revise by:
� Looking at past exam papers, if these are available � but remember that if the
course
has been revised, they may be misleading
� Reading all the emails and posts from your tutor � there may be tips there
� Looking at class handouts, readings, notes and references � what are the main
topics
you have studied during your course?
� Checking previous assignments
� Asking your tutor what content knowledge you will need to know
� When you have done all this, make a list of possible questions / topics which
could be
included in the exam
Plan the revision process
� Use a diary or timetable to plan what you have to do
� Sort out the topics you need to study and plan to give time to each, but think
about
which topics you may need extra time for (for example, because you find them
difficult or because they are so central to the course)
� Plan to revise at the times of the day which suit you best � are you a morning
person
or a night owl?
Revising
� Sort your notes into topics, read them carefully and underline or highlight the
key
points
� Write model answers to your questions
� Summarise these answers, using key words � this helps you to learn and reduces
the
amount of material you have to remember
o Start by deciding on the main idea for each paragraph
o Rewrite the main idea in your own words � keep it to a short sentence
o Then write a few key words (the supporting details) under each main idea
o You will now have a summarised model answer which is easy to learn
o Being able to explain something in your own words is the only way to be sure
you really understand it and know it well
� Practise writing your answers � most of us write very little nowadays so sitting
down
and writing very quickly and non-stop for an hour or hours (as you must do during
an
exam) can be very tiring. Each time you write your answer, you learn it better
� Make sure you use a pen which suits you � some are more comfortable than others
and your hand may get very tired
� Find ways to learn which suit your particular learning style
o Read aloud, listening carefully to what you say. Then repeat without using
your notes and see how much you remember. Check for accuracy and repeat
as many times as necessary
o Post-its � stick post-its or posters up in appropriate places where you cannot
miss them � review the information each time you look at it
o Use index cards to record your summarised answers to questions � carry the
cards with you and test yourself when you have a spare moment � for
example, waiting in a queue, while getting dressed, during the TV ads!
o Study with a friend or with a group � bounce ideas off one another, help each
with difficult concepts, motivate each other, try teaching each other (a great
way to learn), quiz each other
o Remember key terms and concepts with visual and diagrams, or with
mnemonics
The day before the exam
� Check the start time for the exam and the location. Make sure you know how to get
there
� Make sure you have all the equipment you need � any technical equipment which is
permitted, several pens of the type you prefer, pencils, watch, water, etc.
� Eat and sleep well
Sitting the exam or test
� Do not try to study on exam day
� Get to the venue early and wait in a quiet area
� Read the instructions carefully. You may get extra reading time before the
official
start of the exam
� Read all the questions carefully and make sure you understand what the examiner
wants. You can present a well-written and factually correct answer but if it
doesn�t
answer the question, you will not get a good mark! Many questions will expect you
to
apply what you know in order to solve a problem, rather than just list a lot of
facts
� Check how many marks there are for each question and work out how much time you
need to spend on each
� If there is a choice of questions, make your choices. Decide which order you will
answer the questions � it is a good idea to do the ones you feel most comfortable
with
first, to give yourself confidence to tackle more difficult ones, and to get high
marks
for the topics you know best
� Briefly plan your answers before you start writing � adapt the information you
have
learned to fit the question which has been asked � it may not be exactly what you
expected and it is essential that you answer the question in the exam, not the
question
you would like to have been there!
� Attempt all the questions you have to answer, even if you think you don�t know
anything. You may know enough to get a few marks, which will always help in
achieving a pass mark overall
� Keep an eye on the time. If you start to run out of time, write down your main
points
in list form as you will then still earn some marks for the question
� If you have spare time at the end, check your work thoroughly
After the exam
� Try not to stress too much if you found the exam difficult � don�t dissect the
questions
and answers with your fellow students as this may make you feel worse
� Give yourself a treat � go to a movie, have a meal out, spend time with a friend
or
family member.
Adapted from:
Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology. Exams and tests: preparation and
techniques. Retrieved from
http://library.cpit.ac.nz/learning_services/learning_and_study_resources/
test_and_exam_skill
s, 7 June 2013.
Open Polytechnic. Studying for exams: tips, techniques and strategies. Retrieved
from
http://www.openpolytechnic.ac.nz/study-with-us/study-resources-for-students/exams/
how-tostudy-for-exams/studying-for-exams-tips-techniques-and-strategies/, 7 June
2013.
Open Polytechnic. Tips for answering exam questions. Retrieved from
http://www.openpolytechnic.ac.nz/study-with-us/study-resources-for-students/exams/
tips-foranswering-exam-questions/, 7 June 2013.
Open Polytechnic. What to do the day before your exam. Retrieved from
http://www.openpolytechnic.ac.nz/study-with-us/study-resources-for-students/exams/
whatto-do-the-day-before-your-exam/, 7 June 2013.
Further reading (available from TPP Library)
Dawson, C. (2004). Learning how to study again. Oxford: HowToBooks. Chapter 16:
Passing your exams.
Gutman, E. (2004). Study skills. Bondi Junction, N.S.W: Evian Gutman & Kidz Korner.
Chapter 5: Writing notes and revising; Chapter 6: Memory-retention techniques;
Chapter 7: How to approach essays, questions and exams; Chapter 8: The day of the
exam; Chapter 9: The exam.
Magdalinski, T. (2013). Study skills for sports studies. Abingdon, Oxon.:
Routledge. Chapter
13: Tests, quizzes, mid-terms and finals: preparing for and writing exams.
Rozakis, L. (2003). Test taking strategies and study skills for the utterly
confused. McGawHill.
Studying & test taking made incredibly easy. (2000). Springhouse Corporation.
Turner, K., Ireland, L., Krenus, B., & Pointon, L. (2008). Essential academic
skills. Rev. ed.
Melbourne: Oxford University Press. Chapter 10: Examinations.
You might also find the following link helpful:
http://owll.massey.ac.nz/pdf/exam-survival-guide.pdf - Massey University. Exam
survival
guide.