91滴滴

The big moment has arrived, it鈥檚 exam day, and now is your chance to shine. Don鈥檛 let your hard work go to waste by letting your nerves get the better of you. Follow these effective exam technique tips.

1) Stay calm - you鈥檝e got this!

Try your best to enter the exam room calmly. You may want to do some simple relaxation and breathing exercises to calm your nerves. Think positively, see the exam as a challenge, not a threat.

2) Read the question properly

Take your time, and make sure you read the instructions and questions carefully. Re-read each question so that you understand exactly what you must do, underlining or highlighting key information in the question that you need to answer.

3) Time is a key factor

Once you鈥檙e clear on the questions you鈥檒l be answering, plan your time. Take note of how many marks are allocated to each question, this will help determine how much time should be given to your answers.

Write down what time you鈥檒l begin each section or question and remember to leave enough time to proofread your paper.聽

4) Your exam, your order

Tackle the exam in whichever order works for you. There is no rule that says you must complete the paper in chronological order. Find your quick wins (topics you know inside out), then you鈥檒l have more time to focus on the trickier questions.

5) Just move on

If your mind goes blank - put your pen down, take a deep breath and relax for a moment. If you're in the middle of an answer, read through what you鈥檝e written so far. If nothing comes to you, leave a space and move on.

If there鈥檚 a question you can鈥檛 answer, skip it and regain confidence by answering a different question first. Remember you can always come back to it.

6) Keep an eye on the clock

Check the clock after every couple of questions 鈥� this will help ensure that you leave yourself enough time to answer every question.

7) Give it a go!

You鈥檙e likely to gain more marks by attempting all your planned questions than writing strong answers for some but leaving others blank.

8) If time is running out

Don鈥檛 panic! Look at the questions you have left to answer and divide your remaining time equally. Be efficient 鈥� make a point, support it with evidence and then move on to the next point. If you really can't finish in time, briefly list the points you wanted to make.

TOP TIP - Quality versus quantity: the quality of the argument is more important than the number of words you use.

9) Every second is precious

If you think you鈥檝e finished and there鈥檚 still time left, don鈥檛 leave early! Proofread your answers, check spelling and grammar, formulas, and find ways to strengthen your arguments. Don鈥檛 waste any valuable time.

10) Once the exam is finished, forget about it.

Don鈥檛 keep re-living the exam once it鈥檚 over. Comparing answers on social media, or with your friends won鈥檛 help in any way. You鈥檝e done your best and can鈥檛 change anything now.

11) You did it! Time to reward yourself

It might be tempting to dive straight back into your revision notes for the next exam, but it鈥檚 important to give your brain a break. Reward yourself by doing something non-exam related. Why not watch that film on Netflix? Go for a walk or run around the park? Or listen to your favourite playlist?

Good luck!