Revision and exam preparation Daren Mansfield and Cheryl Cliffe 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 techniques AUDITORY LEARNER- Music Aural Mnemonics Technology Repetition Friends and groups KINAESTHETIC LEARNER- Also known as tactile learners 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 Try not to panic/breathe deeply 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 and rushed handwriting generally less important but must be 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?

Planning response to exam question Devise potential 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 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. 2 nd ed. Maidenhead: Oxford University Press [ebook] –Cottrell, Stella. (2008). The Study Skills Handbook. Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan.

Finally… GOOD LUCK!