Written exams

Build on your knowledge from the beginning of semester. Make revision a core part of study so that exams are not an additional burden.  

• Build revision into your weekly planner. 
• Set revision for when you are at your most alert.
• Allocate extra time for those units you find difficult.
• Be aware that different material has different absorption rates - don’t try to take in too much at once. 
• Protect your study time from distractions and interruptions. 
• Include time for relaxation, domestic activities and sleep; exhaustion will not help you in an exam.

By scheduling time regularly to revise key topics in each unit, you spread out the workload of preparing for an exam. Don’t forget that ‘life happens’, so set yourself some emergency study time to manage revision in case things go awry. 

An important part of revising for exams is remembering what strategies work best for YOU. If you already know that you are a visual learner, then use your visual skills during revision to maximise absorption of information. If you work best at midnight, schedule revision of your most difficult topics at that time. 

Don’t leave remembering to chance: systematically review your material. An active learning technique such as SQ3R will gives your revision time structure.  

SQ3R stands for: 

• Survey: scan through your notes and texts 
• Question: what is the topic about 
• Read: find answers to your question, taking notes 
• Recall: answer the question without your notes 
• Review: re-read your notes 

Revising material in small chunks can be more effective as your sense of achievement acts as a motivator. 

Break regularly and use this time for ‘Recite’ or ‘Review’. A 15-minute burst with a five-minute review is often more effective than a one-hour session. Test yourself regularly to ensure that you are remembering. 

It is possible to train yourself to have better memory recall. Refer to our helpsheet, Memory (PDF 270 KB). 

You are probably already aware that our brains can do some strange things in times of stress. Developing ‘keys’ to your memory gives you a technique with which to ‘unlock’ stored information and apply it, even under stressful conditions (yes, potentially your exams). 

Some examples of keys are:  

1. Language memory aids

• Acronyms: A word comprising the first letters of a series of other words, for example ‘ROY.G.BIV’ represents the colours of the spectrum - Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet.  
• Mnemonic: A verse or rhyme to help memory. Another example for spectrum colours is ‘Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain’. Another example of a mnemonic is ‘I before E except after C’ to remember a particular spelling.  
• Humour: For example, to remember the order of the planets, use ‘My Mother Jumped Straight Under Nelly’s Very Enormous Pantaloons’. NB: Pluto has been relegated; therefore, the Pantaloons are outdated. 

Summarise your notes to a keyword or phrase which you can recall easily and devise your own acronyms and mnemonics. 

2. Visual memory aids

Visualise or draw images to associate with the main points. Graphs, tables, coloured highlighting pens, doodles, flow diagrams, mind maps, etc. are also useful in promoting memory. Draw the main points, say the main points and then write the main points.  

3. Motor memory aids  

Try walking, dancing, throwing or kicking a ball while repeating the main points out loud, then proceed to write them down.  

4. Auditory memory aids  

Record the information you are trying to remember and play it back whenever possible, which might mean you could exercise and study simultaneously! Try singing the information you are memorising to the tune of your favourite song. Avoid studying subjects with similar content consecutively, as things can become muddled. 

If you are aware of the type of questions you will face in your exam, practice past questions in the same format. This will simulate exam conditions, enabling you to feel more comfortable on the day because the format is familiar. 

• Practise using your exam information. For example, talk to friends about your course material, or lecture your dog on the topic!  
• Don’t study excessively the day before the exam. Instead, do something relaxing, or exercise to change your focus. 
• Get a good sleep the night before your exam.  
• Give yourself ample time to get to the exam; rushing can be stressful.  
• Think ahead and prepare your materials (e.g., calculator, pens, pencils, etc.). 

Your attitude to study and revision will influence the outcome. If you have not prepared well, then you have every reason to feel nervous; that’s normal and rational. Accept that your results, on this occasion, may not be good; however, it is in your power to motivate yourself to prepare more thoroughly in the future.  

In preparing for exams, it is important to study at a moderate pace so that you do not burn out. Vary your work when possible and take breaks when needed.  

Remember:

• Don't neglect your basic biological and emotional needs while you are revising for exams. 
• Continue the habits of eating well and exercising. Maintaining healthy recreation and social activities contribute to your emotional and physical well-being. 
• Remember you are a whole person, not just a test taker. 
• The most reasonable expectation is to demonstrate your understanding of the subject. 
• Reward yourself after the exam - see a movie! 

Importantly, remember that your grade does not reflect your worth. Don't confuse yourself with your results.  

In the month leading up to the exam, learn sample answer lists / memory keys (see Recalling). It is essential that you know and understand the unit terminology or formulae when answering questions in an exam. Learn the terminology and know how to correctly spell key terms. 

A range of question types are used in both online and written exams. Here are the most common: 

• Multiple choice: these often have an answer that is clearly wrong, so eliminate that one first if you are unsure.
• Short answer questions: require a response in a few paragraphs. 
• Long answer questions: these are often broader and require more detailed answers. Use the format of a small essay: include an introduction and conclusion; divide your paragraphs into body paragraphs, allowing for a single topic in each paragraph. You won’t need to reference unless the resources have been provided. 

If you run short of time during an exam with written answers, write an outline of what you would cover if you had more time. This maximises your chance of receiving marks.  

Similarly, in mathematics subjects, writing out the problem maximises your chance of getting marks for demonstrating good process, even if the end sum is incorrect or missing. 

Also, ensure all your tables or graphs have labels to indicate what they are demonstrating. 

Exams, whether in-person or online, are your opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of the subject.  

The examiner is looking for: 

• answers that are clear and simple  
• concise answers (they are easier to mark)  
• concrete examples as evidence to support your answer  
• an answer that relates directly and only to the original question in all aspects 
• NO personal opinion, name-dropping or generalisations in your answers.

Most students are familiar with feelings of butterflies in the stomach – feeling nervous. Worrying whether you will be able answer the questions is an indication of exam nerves and it is normal to feel this way. Some nervous anticipation helps us to feel alert and focused, and it can help us perform well.  

But too much anxiety can create a negative mindset that, without strategies to manage it, can lead to poor exam performance. There are a number of things you can do to turn exam anxiety into a constructive force. 

Preferably by the time you start your revision, identify how you most like to relax, especially last thing at night. Experiment to find it if necessary, for example, have a bath, exercise, listen to music or to a relaxation podcast. Knowing how to relax is invaluable. Include regular opportunities to rest during your revision schedule.  

As you approach the exam period, incorporate into your study routine some time for the following 'moments.' 

• Imagine how you would LIKE things to go, such as arriving at the exam feeling relaxed and confident.
• Rehearse the ‘scene’ of starting your exam feeling this way, and include details! This can help replace negative thoughts with positive ones.  
• Support yourself with affirming thoughts (“I can do this,” and “I have prepared well for this.”). 
• Picture yourself leaving the exam feeling satisfied in the knowledge that you did your best. 
  
  

When you get into the exam room, sit down and use the following approach to focus you on the task:  

• Take a deep breath in, and a long breath out. 
• Breathe in again and look at something inanimate (the wall, a picture, the clock...) and focus your mind on the positive thought 'I CAN DO this exam' as you breathe out. 
• Focus on how your body feels in the chair; relax your legs and feel your feet flat on the floor. 
• Take another deep breath in, and a long breath out.  
• Breathe normally as you commence the reading period. If you begin to feel panicky whilst reading, bring your focus back to your breath. 

Work through the questions steadily and with purpose. If your concentration lags, or you begin to feel anxious, repeat the steps above to refocus your mind.  

Developing techniques for managing anxiety can take time, so keep practising. Not all techniques will work for everyone, so it's worth experimenting to find the ones that are right for you. Being aware of anxious feelings is the first step to managing them. 

These techniques aim to help you to interrupt a stress response. 

Thought stopping  

When we become anxious, negative thoughts can arise (“I can't answer anything!”). If this happens, halt the thoughts by mentally shouting 'STOP!' or imagine a road STOP sign, or traffic lights on red. Once you have literally stopped the thoughts, practice a relaxation technique or continue with your task.  

Box breathing 

Deep breathing is an established method for lowering anxiety. The box breathing technique is a specific type of deep breathing. Inhale for a count of 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, and hold for 4. Repeat as many times as needed and feel yourself grow calm. Box breathing works because it balances your inhale and exhale to slow your breathing down. Inhaling is controlled by your sympathetic nervous system, which triggers your flight-or-fight response. But exhaling is linked to your parasympathetic nervous system, which enables your body to relax. 

Use a mantra  

Derived from meditation, a mantra is a word or phrase which you repeat to yourself. Gently repeating something like “I am calm” or “Focus” in your head can help defuse anxiety.  

Shift your focus  

Distract yourself from anxious thoughts by noticing small details around you, such as the number of people wearing glasses, or by counting the number of desks in each row. Once you feel the tension subside, return your focus to the task.  

Bridging objects 

It can help to carry or wear something with positive associations, either to a person or situation. Touching or holding this bridging object can have a calming effect as you think about the person or situation with which the object is associated. 

Self-talk  

Experiencing exam anxiety, we often give ourselves negative messages, like “I can't do this.” Consciously replace these with positive, encouraging thoughts such as: 

• “This is just worry, it can't harm me.”  
• “It's going to be OK.” 
• “I have prepared well for this.” 
• “I've got this!” 

Knowing a technique that works for you can have a profound effect on your ability to focus on the task at hand. Believe in yourself – you’ve got this!