Preparing For Exam

Studying is the most important thing you can do to increase your chance of
passing an exam. Usually, when students get their exam papers back, there will be
some comment like “ I spent at least ten hours studying. I went over everything, and I
still failed the exam!” Students frequently complained that they spend large amounts of
time studying and do not get the grades they think they deserve. Usually the problem is
that although they did study, they did not study the best way or the right way.

Another mistake students make is to begin studying only when the date of an
exam, or a test is announced . These students may read textbooks assignments as they
are given, but they hurry through them, planning to study them carefully later.

Some students do the same with their notes given by teachers – they take them
but do not have a thorough review until the date of the exam is just around the corner.
These delay tactics result in last-minute study, or cramming. In the end, they would not
have enough time to cover all the subjects and do the revision.

As a student ,it is important for you to get yourself well prepared before the
exam. The first thing is by organizing your study and review. Spend your time
organizing your review session as it is crucial to achieving good test results. Make a list
of all chapters, notes, and handouts that need to be reviewed. Divide the materials, and
plan what you will review during each session of study. Reserve time the night before
the exam for final, complete review. Do not study new material during this session.
Instead, review the most difficult material, checking your recall of important facts or
information for possible questions.

Be sure to attend all the classes, especially before the exam. Cutting class to
spend the time to study is a mistake. During this hour, it is important for you to be in the
class. Some teachers may give a brief review of materials to be covered or offer last-
minute review suggestions. Have you ever heard your teacher says “be sure to look
over on topic….” ?

Consider whether it would help you to study with another person or with a small
group of students from your class. Be sure to weigh the following advantages and
disadvantages of group study. Group study forces you to become actively involve with
the subject content. Talking about, reacting to, and discussing the material aids
learning. If you have trouble concentrating or staying with it when study alone, group
study will come in handy. However, group study can turn into social events in which
very little study occurs when everyone in the group does not play their part.

In 1941, a psychologist named Francis P. Robinson developed a study- reading

system called SQ3R. it is a system that incorporates study and review with reading. The
SQ3R system, based on principles of learning theory, was carefully researched and
tested SQ3R has been used in schools and college students and has become widely
recognized as the classic study-reading system. You can adapt to this system in your
preparation for exams. There are five basic steps that you can apply – survey,
questions, read, recite and review.

In preparing for the exam, you must review every source of information you have.
Besides your textbooks and teachers notes, previous exams and quizzes questions and
talk to the teachers also are the important things that you should not take for granted.
They play roles in your life too!

ADAPTED FROM COLLEGE READING & STUDY SKILLS

AUTHOR: KATHLEEN T. McWHORTER

1. Identify 4 steps in preparing for an examination.

i.___organizing your study and review____________

ii.___be sure to attend all classes________________

iii._study with another person or with a small group of students from your class____

iv.__reading system____________

2. List down the mistakes the students usually do in preparing for examination.

i._ begin studying only when the date of an exam, or a test is announced
_____________

ii.___ they did not study the best way or the right way_______________

3. In your own words, describe briefly what SQ3R is ..

___The SQ3R is a system that can enchance your study way_________

4. List down the advantages and disadvantages of a group study.

Advantages Disadvantages

1. Group study forces you to 1.

become actively involve with the
subject content
2.

2.become more focus

3.

3.
4.

4.
5.

5.

5. How well do you prepare for an exam? Would you share your thoughts on effective
ways to study? Write a response in the form of a journal in 150 - 200 words.