Study Tips and Techniques If You Are Taking a Professional Exam
It is crucial you revise and prepare well before the exam date. However, there are studying tips and techniques that you can use even when taking your exams to get better grades.
Managing Mindset
You might feel anxious about exams but enjoy them. You will achieve this by using excellent strategies to move nervous energy to the proper channels, not forgetting that stress is advantageous and will help your mind stay alert during the exam.
Avoid diverting your mind to anxious thoughts. You can also guide it back to concrete tasks gently, if it does drift away. You can engage your mind through planning your time and focusing on important figures and facts, and going through your work and coming up with ways to earn you extra marks. Practise! Practise! Practise!
Familiarizing Yourself with Your Exam Paper
Consider reading the instructions and all questions carefully and re-read again without answering a single question. Avoid writing without checking through the paper. After understanding the questions, note the number of questions you should answer in each section. Highlight the questions you are comfortable answering and get started.
Utilize Your Time
After choosing the questions you are going to answer, now it’s time to plan your time. Quickly note down the time you will take to answer each question and indicate the starting time. It is advisable you finish answering the questions at least ten minutes before the actual time. This will give you a chance to go through your work.
In case you have additional questions, check the time they will take you to answer. Use more time to answer questions carrying more marks. It is essential you start with the most straightforward questions and attend to the more challenging later.
Use Short Sentences
It is essential to keep your sentences short and straightforward. Another way to say this is – Get Straight To The Point! Make your answers clear and ensure your points stand out or are emphasised. Remember, the examiner has no time to figure out what you meant by your responses. Short sentences will make it easy for you as well to proofread your work and correct where necessary.
Avoid Unnecessary Answers
Don’t be in a rush to answer the questions. Understand the question and what it entails before writing down the answer. Choose the correct information to respond to and avoid unnecessary statements. Avoid giving every idea you know on the given topic; this will save you time and prove that you have understood the question well. In case you need long answers, give solid reasons and evidence for your points.
Don’t Make Obvious Mistakes
Many students make stupid mistakes and lose marks. For instance, some don’t check both sides of the exam papers if there are more questions. At the same time, others answer fewer or many questions. They allocate wrong numbers to their answers, giving them wrong answers against the question. Be keen to apply this skill to avoid losing marks.
Proofread Your Work
The last thing you want is to find out that your work is full of errors. Read through your answers and correct any mistakes. Ensure your solutions make sense and no missing or misspelt word. Being a good time planner will help you make time for final checks.
Bonus Extra
Something which is also scoffed at many a times is sleep. Yes! you need a good rest before your undergo a significant exam. The body will thank you for it later. Just note that as you sleep, and a good relaxing one as well, that your body repairs itself, as well as your subconscience also acts as a bit of data processor. Be sure to get an adequate amount of sleep.
