Study skills for State exams Mt St Michaels Secondary School

Come prepared to exam Bring all equipment for the exam you are doing Have plenty blue or black pens A calculator

Leaving Cert exams Maths Chemistry Biology LCVP Only use black or blue pen No tippex Pencil for graphs or diagrams only No gel pens or highlighters

Junior Cert exam English French Science Business studies Only use black or blue pen No tippex Pencil for graphs or diagrams only No gel pens or highlighters

Simple Study Techniques Always work against the Clock Each time you study, clearly specify the work you intend to complete and set yourself a given period of time in which to complete it. Don’t become a “clock-watcher” – they sit in the room quite happily, just so long as they spend sufficient time “at the books” You must learn to work against the clock. By specifying clearly what work is to be completed, and by what time, you should provide the necessary motivation to complete a worthwhile session.

Keep to your targets. Goals must be very specific. All goals should be “SMART” S specific (not something vague) M measurable A achievable R recorded (written down) T timed (have a time limit)  

Notes Whenever you study you should get into the habit of taking notes. You cannot “study” by just reading, or highlighting, a book. I know that many students believe that taking notes is wasting time, but there is really no other way if you want to remember the information!

Take good notes

Don’t stress You are working towards a goal The award is the achievement of your highest potential You have a contribution to make Every effort counts

Key points Notes are just the key points. Make a list of the main points only. Test yourself that you know the key points of what you are studying.

How to study Repeating out loud or saying the key points to yourself is a great way to learn something. Seeing if you can write down the key points you have learned without referring to your notes.

Mind maps Some students prefer to draw mind maps or spider diagrams. 

Mnemonics ( ways to remember something) Examples of Rhyme or Poem Mnemonics Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November; All the rest have thirty-one, Save February, with twenty-eight days clear, And twenty-nine each leap year

Revise Leaving Certificate is a two year course It is a memory test for the most part apart from practicals orals Aurals

Colour The presentation of your notes is very important – keep them neat and use a little colour – but don’t overdo it!

Home work Don’t waste time copying your homework answers out of the textbook – you learn little by copying. Read the information required to answer the question. Try to answer without looking at the answers in the book.

Focus Don’t waste your valuable time!

Exam techniques Keep in mind that it’s a timed exam and remember to practise answers in the set time limit. You must know, and stick to, the timing of the paper.  This is the most important aspect of exam techniques!

Exam technique So many students spend too much time on questions they know a lot about and then cannot finish (or even attempt) other questions on the paper.  Generally speaking, you are better off to do two half answered questions than one complete answer in a given amount of time

Format of paper Know clearly the format of the paper you are going to sit in each subject. Check Marking Schemes and Examiners’ Reports, they are full of really valuable information. See www.examinations.ie

Follow your teachers directions Do as your subject teachers recommend They give you great advice Get rest and eat well and take plenty exercise Try not to get stressed about the exams everyone will experience some level of nervousness before exams Remember you will have a great Summer break when the exams are finished

Don’t waste your time Every effort counts We are all part of the same team in Mt St Michaels ( all staff,teachers,pupils and parents) Go n-éirí an t-ádh libh go léir