revision and exam final v2

Revision and exam preparation

Cheryl Cliffe & Daren Mansfield

Academic Subject Librarians

Aim & Learning Outcomes

Aim: • To consider how to succeed in examinations

by effective revision and preparation

Learning Outcomes: • identify preferred learning style• identify and employ effective strategies for

before, during and after an exam

Good and bad experiences

Introductions

• Discuss good and bad experiences…• What would you have done better?• What exam strategy would you adopt?

Revising• Get organised

– Select topics for revision– Divide the unit into topics/sub topics– Notes - collate, condense and summarise– Revision schedule– Study in short spells– Past exam papers– Build up your handwriting speed– What can be achieved under exam conditions?

• What’s your learning style? - Learning style questionnaire (10 mins)

Learning styles and study methods

VISUAL LEARNER- • Involves memory and• note taking techniquesAUDITORY LEARNER-• Music • Aural Mnemonics • Technology• Repetition• Friends and groups

KINAESTHETICLEARNER-• Also known as tactilelearners• Learning by doing

Before the exam• Be positive

– Understand reasons for exams

– They are an advantage to you

– You have control over the process

– Check your own learning

• How many exams will you have?

• When, where and what are the exams?

• How will you be assessed?

Managing stress & relaxation techniques

• Breathe calmly• Healthy diet• Sleep 7 hrs a day• Regular exercise• Celebrate success • Take regular breaks

During the exam• Positive mindset• Take time to read ALL the instructions and ALL

the questions……then re-read the questions, make notes/highlight keywords

• Divide your time equally among questions carrying the same marks

• Use rough paper to organise structure and thoughts

• Time– Go over what you have written– At end read answers and make amendments

Writing exam essays• Fewer examples than coursework• Miss out background detail• No reference list• Grammatical and spelling errors,

rushed handwriting generally less important

• But…ensure that your handwriting is legible

‘What if I go blank?’• Too Tense – use relaxation

technique • Brainstorm• Keep writing – jot down words on

spare paper to prompt your memory

• Who? When? What? Where?

Exam planning

• Devise exam question– Deconstruct question– Plan your structure – Use mind map – identify relevant

headings– Consider time spent on each

paragraph

After the exam

• Don't beat yourself up, what is done is done!

• Think about what you could improve/focus on for the next exam – How well did you prepare?– What could you have done better?– What will you do differently next time?

• Always another opportunity• Put it in perspective!

Additional support• Enrol on the Bb community -

Learning Development @ Lincoln• Further hints and tips in:

– Cottrell, S. (2007) The exam skills handbook. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan

– Tracy, E. (2006) The student’s guide to exam success. 2nd ed. Maidenhead: Oxford University Press [ebook]

– Cottrell, Stella. (2008). The Study Skills Handbook. Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan.

Finally…

GOOD LUCK!