1. Study skills for State exams
Mt St Michaels Secondary School

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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)

7. 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!

8. Take good notes

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

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

13. 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

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

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

16. 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.

17. Focus
Don’t waste your valuable time!

18. 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!

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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