Discuss your answers with your lecturers and tutors (where possible).
Get organised
Prepare a pre-examination study timetable. Identify problem areas and work on these first.
Check the day/time/place for your exam.
Know what you are permitted to take into the examination room and prepare the day before.
During the exam:
Before you begin
Read the entire paper and check instructions.
Allocate time proportionally to each question.
Decide on the order of your answers and organise plans.
Write notes/brief outline answers in you exam (after formal reading time).
Answering questions
Make sure you answer ALL questions.
Keep to your planned time limits.
Work thoroughly but rapidly.
Answer the hardest questions first, particularly if they are worth the most marks.
Use other questions for clues.
Multiple-choice questions
Examine the sequence of questions for clues.
Read all the options before choosing the answer.
Make certain you are choosing the ‘best’ answer to the question.
Be careful of words like “always”, “never”, and “not”.
Remember that wrong options are often based on common misconceptions.
Make an educated guess for unknown answers unless you lose marks for wrong answers.
Essay/short answer questions
Keep time allocations proportional to marks.
Provide definitions where necessary.
Identify key concepts.
Give examples.
Write clearly and simply.
Problem solving questions
Note any values or limits provided.
Label all working stages clearly.
Check computational accuracy.
Show your working unless told not to.
Before the exam finishes
Re-attempt questions you found too difficult at first.
Use spare time to thoroughly check your answers.
If you are running out of time never omit a question completely. Give the examiner an outline of how you planned to answer a question/the remainder of the question.
After the exam:
Review your exam paper if possible.
Consider how you could improve your exam performance.
