DEPARTMENT: STUDENT SERVICES EXAM PREPARATION PRESENTER: Aletta McNally (Student Counsellor & HIV/AIDS Coordinator) POLYTECHNIC OF NAMIBIA INTRODUCTION Preparing for your exams? Sitting for exams is a stressful time but it doesnt have to be all doom and gloom. Therefore preparation for the examination is vital in order to obtain the best results. Exam preparation does not only include content preparation but other factors and tips that complement the preparation very well. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Learn how to effectively prepare for the examination. Counsel anxious examinees in the anticipation of the examination. Develop an individual plan of study for the preparation of the examination. Demonstrate specific examination-taking techniques. OUTLINE Module 1: Content preparation Module 2:Demonstration on the use of flashcards in preparation of the examination Module 3: Drafting questions Module 4: Healthy diet and exercise Module 5:How to deal with examination anxiety Module 6:Final tips on the preparation of the examination Module 1: Content preparation CONTENT PREPARATION Test and examination preparation started on the first day of each year (year courses) semester. There is no such thing as a scope!! Attendance of lectures and practicals is essential. By attending lectures you know what to emphasis and concentrate on for study purposes create lists of these topics. Prepare for each lecture at least read the material prescribed for the lecture. Consolidate information after lecture = draft study notes. Study notes must be short and concise (use index/flash cards). Module 2: Using of flashcards USING FLASHCARDS Flashcards (or "index cards") are a good memorization tool. Reduce your summary notes into bullet points, keywords, lists, formulas and diagrams and place them onto a card for each topic. The items on the flashcards act as memory triggers. By memorizing the flashcards you can enhance your ability to recall larger bits of information referenced by the triggers. You can carry the cards with you and review them even when you have only short bursts of time available. Module 3: Drafting questions DRAFTING OF QUESTIONS Draft questions which the lecturer could possibly ask from the material. Ask your lecturer what type of questions to expect short, essay, application etc. Do self-tests designed in text books and study guides. Find old question papers ahead of time and work through them it will help to identify your short-falls. Use an English dictionary for unfamiliar terms. Concentrate on one topic at a time ~ do difficult tasks first. Work in teams and teach each other. Module 4: Healthy diet and exercise OTHER FACTORS You should not be studying the night before a test or examination ~ review only. Look after yourself: 1.Get enough sleep ~ at least 6-8hrs a night. 2.Eat a balanced diet. 3.Get medicine when your ill. 3.Avoid busters e.g. Bioplus. 4.Exercise. 5. Do something you enjoy ~ have some fun. Come to the test and examination prepared! Module 5: Exam Anxiety EXAM ANXIETY WHAT IS EXAM ANXIETY? Anxiety is a basic human emotion consisting of fear and uncertainty that typically appears when an individual perceives an event as being a threat to the ego or self-esteem (Sarason, 1988). One of the most threatening events that causes anxiety in students today is testing. When students develop an extreme fear of performing poorly on an examination, they experience test anxiety. Test anxiety is a major factor contributing to a variety of negative outcomes including psychological distress, academic underachievement, academic failure, and insecurity (Hembree, 1988). Many students have the cognitive ability to do well on exams but may not do so because of high levels of test anxiety. Because of the societal emphasis placed on testing, this could potentially limit their educational and vocational opportunities (Zeidner, 1990). HOW TO DEAL WITH EXAM ANXIETY Find out what it is about exams that makes you anxious. Is it being under-prepared, the possibility of failure, or the hype surrounding the major exams? STEP 1 Prepare well for the exam. Practice exam style questions and get them marked. STEP 2 Ignore and avoid people that are making predictions or complaining of failing even before the test or exam takes place. STEP 3 Review your notes the night before. This will leave information fresh in your memory, however if you feel this will add more pressure then don't. For some people this works, however for some cramming information simply makes it even more complicated. STEP 4 Go to bed early and try using meditation or aromatherapy to calm down. STEP 5 The day of the exam read over your practice questions. Breathe slowly and try to relax. STEP 6 During the exam read the entire paper slowly. Don't panic. Highlight what you think you'll be able to answer. Before starting remember that you start every exam with 100%, not zero. STEP 7 If the anxiety is persistent and severe, talk to your guidance counsellor about it. He or she might be able to work with you to come up with strategies to overcome it. STEP 8 Module 6: Final tips on exams SIX FINAL TIPS ON EXAM STRESS 1. AVOID STRESSED PEOPLE During the exams, avoid studying with people that are stressed, especially if they start complaining about the amount of work that needs to be done and start to break or chew pens/pencils. 2. FORCE YOURSELF TO BREATH REGULARLY For every hour that you study, you need to take minutes break. (Facebook, phone someone, watch TV etc.). Your brain gets time to rest and you are more focus when you start studying again. 3. EAT HEALTHY & EXERCISE A lot of people forget this important aspect during times when they are stressed. Avoid too much sugar cause your blood sugar level can be affected. Rather choose fruits and vegetables. If you going to study for long hours, eat protein as well. You need to exercise, even a walk of 10 min. can do a lot, will make you calmer and help you to focus better. 4. VISUALIZE SUCCESS Imagine you are writing exam and you know all the answers to the questions in the paper. Focus on the calm feeling that you experience. See an A or B symbol on your paper. Normally if you visualize a good end, it happens most of the time cause you create the end result of your decision without realizing it. 5. JUST SAY NO! I dont mean only when people bribe you or force you to use drugs with them but also to people that would like to waist your time. There will always be someone that would like to talk about her/his life or would like to organize a party an evening before a paper. Resist this temptation. Say no to things that will distract you and be selfish for a change. 6. WORK ON YOUR SELF-CONFIDENCE During exams your confidence needs a boost. Youre prepared and now is the time to deliver. The million dollar tip here is to convince yourself that you will do your best. This tip sounds far fetch, but try it, you will like to! PRAYER Alta McNallly Student Counsellor & HIV/AIDS Coordinator Tel: QUESTIONS ?? GOOD LUCK WITH THE EXAMS!