Exam tip: Read the Cover

When waiting to start the exam, read through the first page carefully. Many papers provide advice on certain questions, like “Question 5 requires planning before answering,” or “You are advised to spend 15 minutes reading through the source.” This can help you plan your approach to each section. And remember, you don’t have to answer in order!

Exam Tip: Key Words

Always show both sides of an argument in ‘evaluate’, ‘discuss’, or ‘to what extent’ questions. These are often your  higher mark questions. 

Exam Tip: Check EVERY Page on the Paper

You do not want to accidentally miss a question! 

Exam Tip: Don’t be Tired.

If you have to stay up all night to do last minute revision, it doesn’t work – you end up so tired in the exam you can’t work anything out.  This is not the way to approach a marathon of exams! 

Exam Tip: Eat Wisely Before Exams

You need some food that will slowly release energy.  Try pasta, fish or eggs.

Exam tip: Get the Important Facts Into Short-term Memory.

In the last 24 hours it’s too late to try and understand anything new.  What you can do is cram some facts into short-term memory.  This is the time to go through the notes looking at those “key points” sections.  Write out a sheet with just the key facts.  See how many you can remember.  Then write out another sheet with just the ones you forgot.  See how many you remember now.  Continue until you’ve either remembered it all, or run out of time.

Exam tip: Don’t Forget to Exercise

Studies have shown that the most creative periods come after a period of exercise, and that the benefits of taking exercise can last for up to two hours.  Exams aren’t just about memory, you’ll need your brain to be in top working condition.

Exam tip: Have a Game Plan!

There is absolutely no reason to do the questions in the order they are printed in the exam. Decide on an approach such as do the highest tariff question first, do the questions where spelling counts first. Plan ahead about how to approach the exam and apply this on the day. 

Exam tip: Familiarise Yourself with Marking Schemes

MArking schemes are there to ensure a consistent approach to marking. This provides tips to candidates of what is expected on each type of question; use them to inform you! 

Exam tip: NOTE the mark allocation

Don’t spend half-an-hour writing a long essay for two marks!!

EXAM TIP: If stuck.  Move on.

If you get stuck on a question, move on.  Start doing another one.  This will allow your brain to start trying to solve the question you were stuck on; when you go back to it it may seem easier!

EXAM TIP: Stay Hydrated

Sip water in the exam, it keeps you hydrated and is a good way of remaining calm. 

EXAM TIP: Out of time?

If you don’t have time to write sentences, but you do know what to do, then just write bullet points.  If you don’t have time to do the calculations, write and explain what calculations you would do.  You can get marks for method.

Exam Tip: Stay to the end! 

The time allocation per exam is there for a reason. If you have finished check, and check again.