Examination Preparation Seminar Key Messages

Leading up to the Exam weeks Disciplined Attitude You only have 14 weeks of school left!

Leading up to the Exam weeks Disciplined Attitude You only have 14 weeks of school left! Study Actively – take the initiative – take notes, use visual planners such as idea maps, (don’t just read)

Leading up to the Exam weeks Disciplined Attitude You only have 14 weeks of school left! Study Actively – take the initiative! What’s wrong with doing a past paper as part of your revision? Try the Board of Studies website!

Leading up to the Exam weeks Use your time well – make up a study and revision timetable that fits in with your essential commitments

Revision is the Key! Why? – regular revision reinforces your long term memory You need to link together the many “little scenes” in each of your courses to create a clear vision of the “big picture” Revision creates patterns for your brain to be able to see connections and increase your understanding

Revision is the Key! You need both CONTENT and PROCESS Content = the course material and information Process = the methods followed to reach decisions and solve problems. This allows you to apply your knowledge in a variety of ways to answer exam questions

Your Revision Plan Revision is ongoing for the next 18 weeks “Regular and Repetitious” does work! Note taking, making lists, making ideas maps, attempting past papers, learning quotes, examples and formulas

Ask your teachers for specific directions and help

Your own Wellbeing Look after yourself physically Sleep, good food, exercise Caffeine etc is not the answer!

Exam Preparation (P.3) Poor Preparation = Poor Performance Know when your exams are on AND how they will look (how they will be structured) Understand different EXAM TERMINOLOGY Know what the question is asking you to do! Recognise the verb and the subject of the question

Exam Preparation Test your Knowledge and Understanding Discuss it, explain it, justify it with friends or family Try answering past paper questions After reading a question ask: 1. What am I being asked to do? 2. What area of the course is it from? 3. What do I do first?

Exam Preparation Remember: Examiners cannot invent new subject material to test you on. The secret is to recognise where it fits in the big picture and identify what they are asking you to do.

Exam Terminology – Glossary of Key Terms It is absolutely crucial that you try to develop an understanding of how to best respond to different key verbs Your answer to a question starting with Explain will be different to that starting with Assess or Analyse

Subject Revision Techniques Form a Study Group (Yes it does work) Use Mnemonics Know your stuff!!!!!!

Subject Revision Techniques Idea Maps are great visual learning tools

Mind Maps / Ideas Maps

Study Techniques & Approaches Each subject has slightly different exam answer requirements. This page gives you some hints at ways of approaching revision in different subjects but check with your teachers!!! The key is to talk to your teachers about the best revision methods for each of your subjects

On the day of any exam Try to have a decent night’s sleep Eat a healthy breakfast Water is important – be hydrated Caffeine can lesson your concentration

On the day of any exam Allow time for unexpected delays eg heavy traffic Ensure you have the correct, working equipment

Sitting for your Exams Reading Time is crucial! Beware of careless mistakes. Use all the exam time.

Exam Preparation Checklist This page can be used for each of your different exams and asks you some key questions about how each one is slightly different and how your preparation for each might need to vary slightly