UK Education:- Are Exams tough????

Hints and Tips

Examiners' Tips
Parents' Tips
Students' Tips

Examiners' Tips
These "Top Ten Tips" from some of Edexcel's 15,000 examiners offer simple, accessible and practical help to students.

1. If you find that reading over revision notes just before an exam relaxes you, feel free to do so, but be aware that in most cases it could make you more nervous; any new information is not normally absorbed at this stage.
2. On the day of the exam, when you are told to turn the paper over, don't start writing until you have read the exam paper from cover to cover.
3. Mark the topics you wish to answer and concentrate on them.  You should have an idea of how much time you are going to spend on each question with the ones carrying the most marks getting the most allocated time.
4. Remember that the exams are not set to trip you up, but are designed to allow you to show your knowledge of the specification.  Be positive and have confidence in your ability.
5. Take time to consider the question.  Look at where the marks are to be gained and allocate time appropriately (and stick to it). Too many candidates spend too much time earning and re-earning small numbers of marks, thereby losing time for the heavier-tariff tasks.  Remember, answering three questions fairly well is better than answering one very well and leaving two badly done.  Underlining key words in the question may help to focus your mind and jog your memory.
6. Structure your answers by making an answer plan; writing this down will help.
7. Don't forget to refer back to the question to help ensure that you answer the question asked.  The examiner can't give you marks for your knowledge and understanding of a topic if you don't answer the specific question properly, i.e. don't answer the question you wish you'd been asked rather that the question in front of you.  Try and read your answer through before moving on to the next question.
8. Concentrate on your punctuation, spelling and grammar. Remember that, whilst you will not be marked down for bad handwriting, if the examiner cannot read what you have said, then they can't give you the marks you deserve.
9. Try and relax, and keep an eye on the clock without checking it every five minutes.  You need to leave time to complete each question and to read through your answers before the end of the exam.
10. Once you have finished the exam, don't worry about it and try to avoid comparing your answers with other students.  Now the examiners' hard work begins!   

Parents' Tips

1. Try and keep to the revision timetable you have created.  Make sure your parents know that, if you're 'not working', it is your relaxing time on the plan.  Provided you are following your agreed timetable, no one is going to hassle you - parents only worry when they are not sure what you are doing.  Organise yourself well and it will help you to fulfil your potential.
2. Know where your exams are and when they start.  Prepare items needed for the exam the evening before.  Make sure you have the correct equipment (calculators, rulers etc).  Know what you are not allowed to take in to the exam (mobile phones, pagers, text messagers, etc).  Your exam invigilator should remind you before the exam starts.  Taking unauthorised equipment in can get you disqualified from the exam.
3. Make sure you have one weekend day when you don't do revision or think about exams - you'll come back to it refreshed.
4. Keep bullet points on crib cards highlighting main subject theories.  Use these for quick revision and for reading during "dead" times (i.e. waiting for a bus) and use mnemonics - using initials of a word to help memory.
5. Some people revise well by listening, so 'talk' their revision on to cassette tapes and then listen to these while lying in bed, while travelling in a car or walking to the shops (on a personal stereo).  This also takes the 'guilt' out of being out and about instead of in front of the books.  There is even research from Boston University that proves some tasks can be learnt this way.
6. Ensure you eat and sleep properly.  Now is not the time to diet or stay up all night.  Have an early night before the exam.
7. Look after yourself during the exam period (good routine and healthy eating!).  Be sure to cut down on the weekend/evening job; most employers know that you need to commit time to the exams and revision but often try to get you to do extra hours anyway.  Getting a good night's sleep before an exam is essential - researchers at Harvard Medical School say that losing out on sleep disrupts students' ability to learn and remember - so no late night cramming.
8. If you have special needs, your school will know about these and arrangements can be made with the exam boards.  However, if you are ill before the exam, or if there is a family crisis or problems, you should tell your teacher, as this could affect your exam performance and special consideration could be taken when the examiner is marking your paper.  Childline has advice on how to cope with exams on www.childline.org.uk/Examstress.asp or you can call them on 0800 1111 (if it is busy, keep trying).
9. On the morning of the exam, have a good breakfast, stay calm and allow plenty of time to get to the exam.
10. And, as Cherie Booth QC says, remember that you can only do your best and, even if you don't do as well as you hope, your parents still love you just as much.

Students' Tips

1. Just think of all the things you will get out of these exams – a place in the sixth form, a place at university, a better chance at the career of your choice.  Knowing I'll have a better chance at a career later in life than someone who couldn't be bothered to take the time makes me go for it.
2. Keep yourself motivated by keeping a record of your achievements.
3. During exams, carry on revising for those left to take.  Read through past papers, practice timed answers, but take regular breaks as well.
4. Deep breaths before an exam.  Before you turn that page, close your eyes and breathe deeply three of four times.
5. Don't listen to friends who say "Don't revise" - they don't care about your future.
6. Try to get a good night's sleep before the exam and try to eat at least an hour before the exam – a banana or other "brain food" is good.  Take a bottle of water in with you.
7. When you are told to turn the paper over, read the exam paper from cover to cover and then re-read it again – don't just jump in and answer the first question.
8. When "budgeting" your exam time, give yourself ten minutes at the end to reread from cover to cover to check spellings, and see that the questions have been answered, and generally check through the paper.  Look at where the marks are to be gained and allocate time appropriately (and stick to it).  Answering three questions fairly well is better than answering one very well and leaving two badly done.  Underlining key words in the question may help to focus your mind and jog your memory.
9. Use coloured pens or highlighters on the exam paper to highlight things you want to include in your answers.
10. And the obvious – "dnt use txt in xams coz xminrs nd 2 no what u r saing".

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