Preparing for Exams
Tips for Before Exam
- Make sure you know date time and venue for your exams
- Get your pencil case with resources ready a day earlier before your 1st paper
- Try to eat and sleep well a night before the papers
- Try to arrive 15 mins before at the exam venue so that you are not late and frustrated
- Avoid conversations outside the exam hall that divert your mind. Use that time to warm up your mind for the paper.
Tips for during the Exam
- In your reading time, skim through the paper and in your mind cluster your answers and ideas.
- Read the instructions carefully to see which questions need short answers, which need illustrations, which need essays etc.
- Never panic that the paper is lengthy, papers are made in accordance with time limits set.
- Do not exceed word limits on essays, this does not get you extra marks.
- Budget your time, ensure you have some time left to check your paper
- If you have memorized any formulas etc. jot them down quickly and refer to it for answering your questions.
Tips for the end of exam
- Check that you have answered all your questions
- Written neatly and legibly
- Check grammatical errors
- Removed any notes or formulas as part of your brainstorming
- Ensure your name and ID number is written on all pages including the cover page
Managing Anxiety of Sitting for Exams
- Don’t panic- You have done exams before in high school!
- Manage 1 unit/course at a time.
- Don’t cram everything, as this will make you forget faster
- Be well prepared in terms of resources (calculators, pens, and essentials)
- Know your exam dates and times well!
- Be confident as you have already done your course work and gained some marks that way.
- Be disciplined during your study break to reap the rewards during the exam weeks.
Things to be mindful of;
- Exam date and Time CHECK and NOTE!
- Content to be covered in exams, as advised by your coordinators
- Check for your course work marks as released by your lecturers so that you can plan your study that way.
- Rome wasn’t built in a day! Take one step at a time, don’t try to prepare for all 4 papers at once.
8 Principles of Time Management
- Determine what is urgent
- Don’t over commit and certainly not during exam week
- Make a plan for all revision
- Allow time for the unexpected during your study and exam weeks
- Create realistic plans for your study and include time to eat and relax too
- Minimize distractions like FB, Tiktok etc.

