Effective Revision Strategies Dr. Mark Matthews Student Learning Supplemental Exams 2010

Examinations as events Sporting training Content –Physical skills - basic to advanced –Rules Fitness –Health –Strength –Stamina –Flexibility Performance rehearsal –Practice and simulation Event –execution Academic training Content –Knowledge - basic to advanced –Rules Fitness –Health –New knowledge –Workload –Adaptability Performance rehearsal –Practice and simulation Event –execution

4 Stages in Preparing 1.Planning 2.Revising 3.Practicing 4.Performing

Building Self Confidence Think of exams as an opportunity for you to show what you know Get familiar with the examination space Exam outcomes are proportionate to the effort you put in Set learning targets and rewards for yourself Compare what you now know about examination preparation with what you knew at the end of last year

Maximum gain-for-effort Your objective is to do your personal best Examination performance is a combination of: –knowing your material and –being able to recall and write it down in an exam If you are confident that you know your material (or will by the exam), your biggest gain-for-effort will be maximising learning generalisation to the exam itself

Planning Organise your notes Admin time / Study time Check your handbook Get the past papers

Remove Distractions ‘Study mode’ Environment External distractions Internal distractions

Active Revision Make revision fun –Use revision strategies where you move around –Draw pictures, maps, cartoons, diagrams, etc –Use walls –Teach “someone” else –Listen to podcasts Make exam preparation a social occasion

Exam Papers Put aside the questions you can answer for revision at a later time Identify the topics you do not know, check that they are still in the course Go back over these and learn them using multi- modal revision strategies Practice Answering Questions

Develop your technique Understand what is being asked Only answer the QUESTION Do not include material that is irrelevant to the QUESTION Understand the format in which your answers are required Practice and practice answering previous exam questions using the required format

Learning for maximum recall Select a component part of the topic you are revising Work it into a short presentation –note form –5 minutes only –prepared questions every 60 seconds In your study space set up a teaching space –flipchart, use felt pens, and aids –A chair for your “student”

Simulate exam conditions Memory and recall are two different processes The key to both intellectual and emotional preparation for exams is simulation The closer a simulation is to the actual event the more likely it is that preparation will be effective A simulation engages both intellectual and emotional responses

Study Space / Exam Space

Make the exam space like your study place Water bottle Watch Clothes Pens and pencils Smell Visualisation

Managing stress is key Regular Breaks, Sleep and Eating Relaxation & Exercise Focus comes with rhythm Set Specific Realistic Goals Use Rewards Find out what works for you BUT: 1.Set goals 2.Prioritise Effort 3.Play to your strengths

Exam Centres Dozens of exam centres Find out where your exam is. How will you get there? How long will it take? Visit the venue before

Organise your notes Admin time / Study time Check your handbook Get the past papers

Emergencies SU Education Officer SU Welfare Officer Personal tutor Student Learning

Upcoming Workshops Exam taking Strategies for Supplemental Exams Thursday, August 19th, pm Room 3126, Arts Building Managing Exam Nerves Thursday, August 26th, pm Room 3126, Arts Building

Summary: The keys to your Personal Best Preparation –Organisation –Intelligence/information –Active revision –Managing time –Structure and content Control –Manage your emotional and physical responses –Think positively

Exam Revision Workshop

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