How I prepare for an examination?

Hi, my dear friends!

This is my contribution into How do you prepare for an examination? Contest by @simonnwigwe

I have had hundreds of exams in my life! From my days as a schoolgirl to my time as a university student and later - a university professor, I have been through it all. But even today, I'm still learning new things and taking courses that require exams. You know what? You never get used to it! Every time I take an exam, I'm just as nervous as I was when I was a schoolgirl. And even though I know for sure that a teacher is never an enemy and always wants to help and support the student, no matter how many exams I've taken, the thrill of learning and the challenge of an exam never fades away.

How do you prepare for an examination?

Tha most invaluable advice for students: "If you have a hundred exam questions and only one night to learn them, get a good night's sleep!

It's impossible to learn an entire course in one night, no matter how hard you try. The surest way to prepare for exams, however, is to be systematic. When I was a student, I would make a schedule for myself long before the start of an exam session, breaking down my studying into smaller, manageable chunks. This allowed me to learn all the questions for the exam gradually and without being overwhelmed. By following this approach, you can ensure that you are adequately prepared for your exams. Of course most students never do that.😉

Understanding the importance of repetition and refinement during exam preparation is key. While there is still a need for some study while preparing for the exam during the exam session, the focus should be on reinforcing and honing the existing knowledge. This is a time to go over the material in detail and to address any areas that may be weak or have been forgotten. Taking the time to practice and refine the existing understanding of the material is essential for success on the exam.

Do you have any trick that you have developed over time that works perfectly for you?

It's no secret that studying for an exam can be a daunting task. With so much content to learn in such a short amount of time, it can be hard to stay motivated and keep track of all of the material. However, over the years, I've developed several tricks that help me with my studying and exam prep.

One of the most useful techniques that I've found is to plan out an answer to each question or write a very short summary. This allows me to quickly skim through the material, memorizing the plan what helps me in forming a complete answer during examination.In addition doing this helps me to stay organized and focused, so that I can complete my work in a timely manner.

The second trick I've developed is to listen to audio recordings of the lectures. Listening to audio recordings while I'm doing something else, such as running, driving, or even before going to bed, helps me to use my time productively and learn the material smoothly and stress-free. This strategy has been extremely helpful for me because it allows me to listen to the material multiple times, improving my chances of retaining the information for the exam.

Overall, these two tricks have worked incredibly well for me over the years and have helped me to stay focused and organized during my exam prep. By planning out answers and listening to audio recordings of the lectures, I am able to use my time efficiently and maximize my chances of success on the exam.

When is your favorite time to study for an examination and why?

Studying for an examination can be a daunting task, especially when you have limited time and a lot of material to cover. It's important to plan ahead and make sure you're using the best time of day to get the most out of your studying.

When it comes to studying for an exam, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Different people have different preferences and work best at different times of the day, so it's important to find what works best for you. Generally, when it comes to studying for an exam, there are two main approaches: studying new material, and repeating material that you already know.

When it comes to studying new material, I find the best time of day for me is from 10 am to 2-3 pm. During this time, I'm usually most alert and focused and thus able to absorb the information more easily. I also find that I'm less prone to distractions in the morning, so I can get more out of my study session.

On the other hand, when it comes to repeating material that I already know, I find evening hours are best. At this time, my energy levels have usually dipped, but with the material already familiar to me, I'm less prone to distractions and can focus on reinforcing the knowledge I already have.

Do you feel scared when going in for exams? How have you been able to control or fight this feeling?

Exam fear is a common feeling and one that we all experience to some degree, whether it is for a school test, university exams or job interviews. The fear of failure, of not knowing what to expect, of not being able to answer questions correctly and the feeling of being overwhelmed can all contribute to this fear.

For me, this fear can often be debilitating and paralyzing. I have found that the best way to combat it is to try and take control of the situation by preparing well in advance. This means studying and practising as much as possible. When I am well prepared and understand the material, I find that my confidence increases and I can go into the exam feeling more relaxed and ready to do my best.

In addition to preparation, I also find that it helps to have a positive mindset and to remind myself that I have studied hard and am ready to do my best. When I focus on the positives, such as how well I know the material and how much I have been working hard, it makes the exam much less intimidating.

In terms of the actual exam, I always try to take it one of the first. I find that the anticipation is often much more frightening than the event itself, as my mind can start fantasizing about all the worst case scenarios that may never happen. By taking the exam early, I tend to be more relaxed and can focus on the task at hand rather than worrying about what could go wrong.

Finally, it is important to remember that the fear of exams is normal and something that many of us experience. The most important thing is to acknowledge it, prepare well and remain positive. With the right attitude and preparation, you can overcome your exam fear and be successful.

What advice do you have to give to those who still find it difficult to prepare for an exam?

If you find it difficult to prepare for an exam, the best advice I could give you is to first understand that you know more than you think. Before the exam, it may seem like all the material is a blur and that you don’t know anything, but when you’re presented with a specific question, your memory will helpfully provide you with the information you need.

Secondly, remember that your professor knows your level of knowledge very well. He or she will likely provide you with leading questions that will help you answer the questions correctly.

Finally, please don’t take sedatives during the exam. Although sedatives might help you calm down, they will also prevent you from focusing.

These are some tips that can help you prepare for an exam, and I hope that they will help you do your best and get the grade you deserve. Good luck!

Pics credit free licence