General Awareness
People in News
Current Events

How to prepare for examinations?

Tips for success in written papers

Tests are a way for you and your teacher to measure how well you have learned the material covered by the class. Think of them as a challenge! Here are some tips for studying for tests. Make sure that you have received the right paper, then read the instructions twice. It may help you notice some important points like how many and which of the questions are compulsory.

Read through all the questions. Tick the questions you think you can answer best, then read them through carefully again. If you are faced with the dilemma of two or more questions you know you can answer equally well, go for the one that takes the least time. Set a time limit for answering each question. Don’t forget to leave a few minutes for reading over your answers at the end.

Start with the question you know you can answer best. It doesn’t matter what order you do the questions in but be sure to number each one clearly. Do not waste time writing out the question. The examiner will definitely have a copy of the question paper.

Before you start writing, plan quickly an appropriate answer to the question. Try to keep within your time limits. However, if in spite of all your efforts you find yourself with very little time left for the last question, try to list down the important points.

Read over what you have written checking for legibility, punctuation, spelling, clarity and accuracy of calculations etc. Cross out any rough notes you don’t wish the examiner to read. Check that you have numbered the questions clearly.

Do not attempt to cheat. Don’t take crib notes or something like that into the examination hall. It simply isn’t worth it. If you are discovered, you will probably be disqualified.