Exam skills

Before the exam:

The day before check the time and venue of the exam and work out how to get there in plenty of time. Review your summaries and cue cards systematically. Make sure you have an adequate night's sleep. In the morning of the exam have something to eat or take along some glucose sweets for energy. Arrive at the exam in plenty of time to calm your inevitable nerves but avoid conversations which you know will wind you up.

During the exam:

Read the question paper through once, underlining key words and instructions. Do not panic if your initial feeling is that you cannot answer any of the questions adequately. That is a common first reaction. Then go back and read it more thoroughly marking those questions which you feel you could answer. Read those questions which you have marked very carefully and decide exactly which you are going to answer. Answer questions in the order: easiest, favourite and difficult to avoid getting demoralised. Remember to attempt all the questions required, as the first 50% of marks for any question are invariably easier to obtain than the next 50%. Analyse carefully the precise wording of the questions you intend to answer - it is easy otherwise to end up answering a question that was not asked. Planning your essay is not an optional extra; it is crucial and you should not attempt to answer any question without having spent at least 5 minutes on your plan.

Do not be put off by glancing around and seeing other students scribbling away at top speed straight away. These people should not be emulated. They may not taken the time to organise their ideas. You may write a bit less, but your essay will be much better than the one you would have produced if you had written "from the top of your head". What matters is not how many pages you write but what you write. Read through your planned answer. Is it logically argued? Are the main issues covered? Does it really answer the question? How will the marker view your approach?

Exam nerves

It helps a great deal to go in prepared as suggested in earlier sections.

If you panic:

• Stop the self-defeating thoughts, tell yourself instead that you are going to survive this experience come what may; that you are just going to try doing whatever you can. Remind yourself that it is not you as a person that is being judged -only a few short essays and these are not being judged by Gods. Cut the examiner down to size in your mind. Imagine him or her as your friend or as someone who knows very little about the subject and needs you to explain it patiently.
  
  
• Now close your eyes gently and focus on your breathing. Take a long deep breath using your stomach muscles, not your upper chest. Allow the air to flow out slowly and smoothly. You might well be hyperventilating, so pause for a moment after long exhalations. As you breathe slowly and calmly dangle your arms by your side and imagine any tension flowing out through your hands and feet. Mentally go through each part of your body, relaxing any muscle tension. This will be much more effective if you have practised muscle relation techniques before the exam.
  
  
• When you feel ready, slowly, gently, calmly, commence writing again.