3 Steps To Exam Ready

Having graduated in June, I`ve been through the exam machine very recently, and in the last few years of my life I`ve had to prepare for almost 100 exams. As a consequence, I`ve perfected an exam strategy that works for me. Now, importantly, this is not a one size fits all model, but with little adjustments here and there, here is my advice to crack exams.

My aim is for these instructions to be useful for all subjects, although might be a humanities bias.

Step 1: Consider your timeframe.

The ideal situation, of course, is to be considering this step at the beginning of the academic year with your exams at the end of it. It is often a little acknowledged truth that exam prep should start as soon as you begin to learn the subject. Making notes as you go along, even if it's an hour every weekend after you have finished your homework and organizing these notes neatly will make it far easier in the immediate run up to exams.

However, you might be a few months, weeks or even days away from your exam. In each of these cases, you need to ask yourself 'what are the most important things I can do that will prepare me for this exam?'. If you only have a few days, this might be three key things. It is crucial to fit these things into the timeframe you have. Making a rigorous exam timetable works for some and not others; I found it better to designate a topic per half day so you can get your teeth stuck into something without getting bored.

Step 2: Learning and re-learning methods

Make notes or mind maps, make things stand out in different colours, draw pictures and diagrams. Stick these in places where you will look at them. I always put quotes on my bedroom door, for example. Another useful way to remember something is to record yourself saying the fact/statistic/quote and then to listen to this recording wherever you go on your headphones.

But the key thing is to keep going over what you've learnt. The day after you have learnt it, and then again a week after you have learnt it. Even with cramming the day before, a quick look over in the morning will help.

Step 3: Rest and be confident

A good sleep the night before is important, as well as a short break from revision to relax and clear you head. Immediately before the exam, after you've had a look over your notes for the final time, focus on building up your own confidence. You have done everything you can, and now all you need to do is show the examiner what you can do.

Good luck!