How to optimize performance in an exam? – 15 Rules for Success in Academic Exams

Rule 1: Attend all your lessons!

This may sound obvious, but attending all of his lessons is the key to improving your knowledge and skills, as well as being the most effective method for a comprehensive understanding and memorization of any subject. Memorizing a topic taught in a lesson proves to be more achievable because it is based on experience, while covering a topic on one’s own at home or in the library is likely to be more tedious on memory. So if you can help it, seriously consider not missing any lessons. (This rule is not applicable to Distance Education programs that have a different structure than conventional studies)

Rule 2: Write, write and write some more!

Don’t spend your student life reading and leafing through books and files, but take up writing too. She should be able to develop her writing ability through homework, assignments, and routine note-taking while reading and revising. Academic achievement is based on proficiency in writing. The more you write, the better your chances of academic success.

Rule 3: Pretend you are a teacher/lecturer and ask yourself questions on every topic you cover!

Learn to view topics from the examiner’s perspective, that is, identify potential questions that may arise from these topics. Write them down and try to answer them. You can’t adequately master a topic without really addressing the questions about the topic. The questions are there to make you analyze and think critically; allowing you to subsequently thoroughly understand and memorize a particular topic.

Rule 4: Do your homework! I know that doing homework is a pain, but make an effort.

If you were unable to complete and submit any assignments, then it is important that you discuss this with your teacher/professor, who may be willing to compromise on an extended due date. For most undergraduate and graduate study where homework is not common, students undertaking such courses of study must comply with rule 3.

Rule 5: Try the previous exams!

Nothing can prepare you more substantially than experience and rehearsal of a particular scenario before facing the actual experience in real life. Imagine that the United States government sends our most honorable men and women to fight wars without having gone through the experience and simulated practice of a real war. The consequence would undoubtedly be catastrophic. This underlying principle applies equally to academic exams: students must take exams, under exam conditions that include restriction to a set time frame. The value of such a practice should never be underestimated, while it cannot be emphasized enough. It allows students to become familiar with analysis, planning and answering questions, to improve their writing skills and improve their ability to perform within a certain time parameter. (Please note that previous exams can be found on the websites of the relevant examining bodies)

Rule 6: Take notes, draw diagrams and make mind maps!

Simply reading is not enough. Students should develop the habit of taking notes, summarizing, or bullet points. Some students will take extensive notes, rewrite entire paragraphs in their own words, and use extensive and elaborate diagrams and mind maps. Others may adopt a simpler style, but whatever approach you take will ultimately benefit your learning more than just reading.

Rule 7: Be organized!

Make sure all learning materials such as notes, handouts, homework, assignments, etc. are organized quickly and systematically. Keep a calendar and record important dates, like homework due dates and test dates, well in advance.

Rule 8: Invest in the purchase of basic materials!

To get organized effectively, you may want to make a list and then buy basic supplies such as notebooks, flash cards, folders, calendar, planner, clipboards, labels, extra pens, markers, etc. In addition, it would be advisable to keep your study area tidy.

Rule 9: Manage your time in the most effective way possible!

Time management involves a proactive commitment to meticulously allocating time to one’s activities with the goal of increasing potential and productivity in desired areas of life, such as education. The benefits of time management include successful results as well as more time available to relax or enjoy recreational activities. Therefore, keep a detailed calendar and design a schedule in which you can plan and schedule your activities periodically using an agenda, a word document or your mobile phone. Also, prioritize your activities according to the importance, demand and effort required in specific areas. In addition, you must take responsibility for your time management and try to avoid procrastination at all costs.

Rule 10: Connect with other students!

Do your reviews, homework and tests with your friends or other students who you think may be suitable for such a task. Approach them and propose the idea of ​​working together and see what they say. Check to see if such an endeavor or the individual or group you have connected with is appropriate and beneficial to you.

Rule 11: Implement the following specific exam techniques in the exam!

i) Make sure you have all the necessary materials such as pens, pencils, erasers, calculators, wristwatch, necessary reference materials, etc.

ii) Read carefully all preliminary instructions.

iii) Read each question carefully. Reread them intermittently as you write your response, particularly when long responses are required. This will allow you to see the question from new angles and will also stimulate your thoughts, spark ideas, and keep your focus on the question.

iv) Make a time allocation plan, in which you will allocate a specific amount of time in proportion to the demand and grades given for each question.

v) Prepare a plan-response.

vi) Start by answering the easy questions first and then tackle the hard ones. Subsequently, a comparatively greater amount of time can be spent on managing the more difficult questions later on.

vii) Do not wait until the exam to implement these exam techniques, but they should be applied and practiced during your review, particularly when you are tackling earlier exams.

Rule 12: Review Tips!

i) Allow sufficient time for review.

ii) Update a plan and make it as visible as possible.

iii) Make a detailed checklist that allows you to check off completed tasks as you go.

iv) Check the relevant syllabus and design your revision plan and checklist accordingly.

v) Make it clear to everyone that you are committed to their review and that any interruptions should be kept to a minimum. Turn off your mobile phone.

vi) Use the Internet with caution and discipline and avoid being distracted by more entertaining websites.

vii) Ask your friends for group review sessions.

viii) Examine past exams and try to become familiar with their structure and inherent question patterns. ix) Try to address as many questions as possible.

Rule 13: Last Minute Review Tips!

i) It is important at this stage that you make a plan. You have to have a plan, even if you feel like you don’t have enough time to do it.

ii) Make a relatively detailed checklist.

iii) Check the relevant syllabus and design your revision plan and checklist accordingly.

iv) Ask your friends for group review sessions.

v) Venture out to learn new topics strictly in proportion to the amount of time you have available: if you have several days left, you may want to search for new topics in a reasonably comprehensive way, whereas if you only have two days left, you may prefer consolidate existing knowledge.

vi) Please read the above exams carefully and try to be as enlightened as possible, within the short period of time available to you.

vii) Try to address as many questions as possible.

viii) Keep calm and focus.

Rule 14: Talk to someone!

If you have personal problems, then it would be highly recommended that you make an effort to talk to someone. The sooner you address the problem, the greater the chance of resolution or at least lessening of its impact on your life.

Rule 15: Come to the exam room as prepared as you can and not the other way around!

How to prepare for the exam? – Simply follow the rules in this article. Also, try to ‘assess’ your own progress and development. Remember that no one is perfect and it would be unreasonable to expect anyone to adhere to all the rules in their entirety. However, do your best. Every time you try, you will inevitably increase your chance of success in the exams. Finally, please note that the list above is not exhaustive. You can also acquire valuable exam tips from your teachers, professors, other websites, friends and students. A word of caution though: don’t just read them, but also try to implement them!