How to Write and Prepare for an Exam
With finals coming up this semester its about time people started to review what may be forgotten from previous chapters or learn what they previously didn't know. For some the final will be make or break for others it will be as simple as taking any other test. This step by step process will show people the rights and wrongs of test taking and overall preparedness.
First of all there are the notes, the papers and notebooks filled with all the knowledge someone will need for taking their test. Don't be distracted by all the doodles and sketches that appear on the margins from a time when someone lost interest in any given lecture. Look at the notes taken from all the lectures and organize them by date. Review the notes daily and keep on top of things. Leaving everything to the last minute results in cramming and stress that will bring a failed exam.
Secondly, look at previous exams if they are available. Most courses will have access to the old exams online, so a good thing to do would be to print them off and look over them to get a feel for how difficult the questions could be and also to test yourself on what you know and don't know. By doing this someone can get the feel on where they are and how badly they need to review previous topics.
Thirdly. take a break! This doesn't mean after thirty minutes of study a trip to the bar is in order. What it does mean, is that after an hour so take a quick five minute break to go out on the patio with a glass of water and take in the sun, or if its raining watch the rain as it splashes upon the window.
The professors are there to teach its what they do, so don't feel shy to fire off an email with questions that you may have about topic. If the email response isn't solid enough for you, ask to schedule a meeting with them so you can go over what it is you have questions with. Help is available everywhere you look so don't brush it to the side. Take advantage of your professors and all the help centers available to you. Even a quick Google search could help sometime.
If your having trouble concentrating a good thing to do would be to shut off all of your electronics and put them in the closet. Out of site out of mind. Or if its the location you are studying in, make a change. Go to the library or even outside under a tree. There are endless opportunities to find a secluded quiet place, it just takes a bit of looking.
Everything is done, all the studying has been completed and it is exam day. It is make or break and the stress is rising. Just take that breath in for ten seconds then let it out, everything will be fine. Just get in, write it, and get out. Now that all the preparing has been completed its time for judgment day. Here is where time management comes in to play. Look at the exam and determine how many questions there are. Given the amount of time that has been allotted, divide each question into a set amount of time. This will keep you on track and on time. Don't rush and read each question carefully. Think about what it asks for you to do and do it.
On top of all this an excellent thing to have in your arsenal of study habits and test taking abilities, is confidence. Be confident in your workings and in your answers. If you go in and feel terrible you will write a bad exam. However, if you go in feeling confident, then the results will reflect on that.
So to wrap things up, keep a level head, keep on top of things, and ask for help when needed. All of this and knowing how to write an exam will help tremendously. It could even take you from that fail to a pass, or from that "B" to an "A."
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