Effective Ways: To Prep for Exams
By: Shain E. Thomas
Tags: University, College, Exam Prep, Education, High School

There are numerous ways one can prepare for a coming examination. Here are 12 ways one can accomplish this without great difficulty:

01. Be Prepared

Giving yourself ample time to study before a coming examination is paramount to success. If you leave studying until the last minute, you will have little choice but to cram for the exam. Whilst cramming is common, it’s not advisable. One will more likely to see better results if adequate time is allotted to studying effectively. With time management effectively applied to the situation, one could easily set up a schedule for studying.

02. Don’t Cram!

You’ve heard of people cramming for finals. Whilst cramming is common, as previously stated, it’s not advisable. Instead of cramming, one should consider studying in 25 to 30-minute bursts. For every 30 minutes one studies, take a 10 to 15-minute break. This break will enable you to recharge those metaphorical batteries.

03. Your Environment

Ensure you have ample space so that you can spread your textbooks and notebooks out. With enough light, a comfortable chair for you to sit in, and nothing within sight to distract you from the given task, you should have everything you need.

Even though some people require a completely tidy workspace, this isn’t true for everyone. Think about your workspace with respect to what it is that makes you feel comfortable. Consequently, plan accordingly.

04. Optional Environments

As discussed in the previous instalment, studying requires a comfortable environment. Whilst being quiet is advisable, a quintessential example being a library, one could just as easily do what is required at a coffee shop. Many people frequent Starbucks to study. Whilst a Starbucks isn’t the ideal study location for everyone, it works for a lot of people.

You should select an environment which works for you. If Starbucks doesn’t work for you, with people having different requirements, a quiet, well-lit place with low traffic should suffice.

05. Review Class Notes

If you bothered to write notes during class, there shouldn’t be any need for you to get notes from a classmate. Reviewing such notes will ensure the information is learned properly. It will, therefore, be moved from short-term memory into long-term memory.

06. Visual Learners

Not everyone has the same approach to learning. Whilst some people like to write their notes in paragraph form, there are individuals that prefer to use more visually stimulating material. Consequently, because of the visual benefits flow charts and diagrams have, these tools aid significantly in the learning process.

07. K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Silly) Notes

The use of K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Silly) Notes are equally important for exam prep as they are for preparing for the next class session. Don’t overwhelm yourself with overly complex notations. It is best to take easy to remember notations. Underline and or highlight keywords and or phrases which will benefit you later.

If you find them beneficial, create visual aids such as charts, story webs, mind maps and or outlines to organise your thoughts in a cohesive manner.

08. Practice Exams

Depending on the type of examination you are taking, there might be practice examinations available for you to utilise. Your school, college, or university library might have practice exam textbooks for you to use either within the library itself or to checkout.

09. Study Groups

If studying alone doesn’t work for you, forming a study group would be of significant benefit. In addition to giving you the opportunity to test your knowledge, quizzing each other over the material makes you think about it more clearly. Further, with encouragement, study groups have been proven to boost confidence in one’s own academic abilities.

10. Quizzing Each Other

Study group sessions give individuals the opportunity to examine closely their answers to given questions and explain to others within the group how they arrived at their conclusions.

11. Snack Breaks

With you being focused on being prepared for the coming examination, there’s a good chance you might feel there isn’t enough time to cook anything nutritious. You should, therefore, have several ready-to-eat snacks which would sustain you whilst you study. These snacks should be consumed during your breaks.

If you are part of a study group, it would be advisable to have enough snacks for all attendees. Whilst this isn’t essentially mandatory, common courtesy is always welcome.

12. Water Consumption

Make sure you drink plenty of water. Being adequately hydrated is essential. In the run-up to exam day, you will want to drink plenty of water throughout your revision. Furthermore, the same is also true of the exam day itself.

Final Thoughts…

If you are anything like me, one look at a Scantron gives you nightmares. When in education, I actively sought out courses which would cause me significant stress. Consequently, because of my liking for written exams, my preference was with courses where the instructor, lecturer, or professor provided their students with such examinations. With how some courses are structured, it’s impossible to avoid multiple choice examinations.

Previously in the “Effective Ways” series: