Exam techniques Information and guidance on how to prepare for your exam

1. Manage your mindset

It is natural to feel anxious about exams but with good strategies, you can actually enjoy them! If you do feel anxious, then direct that nervous energy into positive channels. Remember that some stress has a beneficial effect. It can help you to stay alert, focused on the exam and energised.
Don’t give your mind the time to drift into anxious thoughts. If it does, then gently guide it back to a concrete task, such as planning your time, jotting down useful facts and figures to use in later questions, proof-reading your work, thinking about ways to gain extra marks and remembering these exam tips!

2. 
   Get to know your exam paper
   

Don’t race to start writing before you have checked through the paper. Read the instructions and all questions slowly and at least twice. Highlight how many questions you must answer from every section.

3. Make every minute cocount

Once you are clear about the questions you will answer, plan your time. Write down quickly the time that you will begin each section or question. Plan to finish at least ten minutes before the end of the exam, so you have time to check over your paper.
Then, stick to your time plan. You are more likely to do well if you attempt all your planned questions than writing brilliant answers to some but not attempting others.If you have a choice of questions, consider whether some of these will take you longer to answer. If any questions carry more marks, then spend more time on those. A lot of people find it helpful to begin with the questions that they find easiest, and come back later to those they find more challenging.

4. Think like an examiner
Examiners have to mark many papers at speed – they don’t have time to sit and consider what you might have meant by your answers. You can help them to see where you deserve marks by providing answers that are clear and easy to read. It’s a simple exam tip, but can make a real difference.

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