How to Prepare for Exams
Sitting for an exam is an inescapable part of the school experience and a way for your professors to see how well you understood the course. Learning how to prepare for exams is a skill that will get you through any test be it mid-terms, finals or any random assessment.
When preparing for an exam, most students tend to overwhelm themselves and panic over the amount of content they need to cover. Understandably, this can be a stressful time. In this article, you will find detailed recommendations on how to be well-prepared for exams.
How to Prepare for Exams
Before we go into details and the specifics of how to prepare for an exam, you need to have a few things down. First, have a timetable of when your exams will be in advance to avoid last-minute rushes. Students often make the mistake of waiting for the eleventh hour to start preparing for an exam.
Secondly, have all your notes ready. This means that during the school year you need to be proactive with attending classes, taking notes and doing the assignments. Most instructors set the exams directly from the coursework as well as from the assignments.
For the actual exam, sometimes your instructor will conduct them offline and, in some cases, the exam will be administered online. Regardless of the situation, these recommendations are sure to help you as you prepare for exams.
How to Prepare for Offline Exams
Now that you have everything ready, here is how you can begin preparing for an offline exam.
Schedule your study sessions
Setting time aside for studying can be challenging especially if your classes are still ongoing. Thus, it is easier if you plan. Analyze your school schedule and identify times that you can allocate to studying. Here, you can use a paper calendar or your phone’s calendar where you can set reminders to keep you on track.
Eliminate distractions
Try to aim for at least an hour or two for each session so you can memorize and learn the material. During this time, eliminate any distractions. Meaning that as you prepare for exams, find quiet places like your school library, coffee shops or study halls where you can concentrate.
If not, create a conducive space in your environment that is ideal for you. If you have roommates ensure to notify them in advance that you will be studying.
Have a clearly defined topic for each session
As you prepare for exams, ensure that you have a plan for what you want to study. Do not wing it! When you sit to start studying for your exam, have a printout of your coursework which will be a guide on the areas you need to study.
If your instructor provided a list of information that you need to memorize, make flashcards that you can use as you study.
Take practice tests
A good way to finesse your exam is to take practice tests to put yourself in the right mindset. Learn how to think like an examiner and exercise the techniques that you will use during the actual exams.
These techniques can include starting with the questions you are familiar with, having all the materials ready and finishing the paper in time.
Have a study buddy
Sometimes, it can be useful to have someone help you as you study. They can help you review your understanding of the coursework and quiz to make sure that you have memorized the content.
As you study for an exam, have your study guide, review sheet and flashcards ready so that your study buddy can quiz you.
Do not wait till the last minute
You have probably heard of people who are great at cramming for tests at the last minute. This move might work for others but it might end up creating more stress and anxiety for you as you are preparing for exams.
So, study a little bit each day over the week or two that you have to eliminate any anxiety during the last minute.
Get enough sleep and eat well
One of the most underrated aspects of preparing for exams is being physically ready. Being well rested is a sure way to guarantee that all the learning you have been doing does not evaporate. Do not cheat yourself out of the knowledge you have gathered by skipping out on a good night's sleep.
As you are feeding your mind with information, ensure that your body is also well nourished. Try to eat enough healthy food and stay hydrated as you prepare for your exams.
Relax
Taking a test is not the end of the world. Once you have all the information memorized take deep breaths and relax before the exam. This will give you a boost of confidence as you walk into the exam room calm and collected.
How to Prepare for Online Exams
Preparing for an online exam bears a lot of similarities to preparing for offline exams. The above steps will still help you out. However, for online exams, you need to go a step further.
Ensure that you have a quiet and comfortable space to take the test. Unlike offline exams where the conditions of the exams are predetermined, for online exams, you need to create the ambiance.
In this case, clear out your working space, have all your stationary materials ready, and ensure that your laptop is charged and has a steady internet connection. If you are taking the exams in a dorm room or at home, inform everyone in advance so that people are not walking in and out of your space as you take the exams.
There you have it, a step-by-step guide that is sure to help you feel more prepared as you take a test. If you are still unsure about how to prepare for exams, look no further, Homework Owls’ expert writers are always ready to help. If you need any further assistance, fill in the required information on the home page or contact our customer care services.
