Study hints and tips
Why do people fear exams? Answer: Failure to prepare adequately.
Cure: systematic study,recite in your own words, summarise, question, review regularly.
There's no need to panic. The exam is your chance to showcase your knowledge.
Study Strategies
Study systematically through the semester and review regularly.
Use time schedules: (1) a semester planner, (2) a weekly timetable and (3) a daily diary or a 'to do' list. Monitor your time use.
Attend all classes and appointments. Skipped classes mean work to catch up.
Revise lecture notes as soon as possible after a lecture, if only for 5 minutes.
Be willing to learn and to unlearn. Education is a life-long process.
Be an active learner. Look for ideas. Ask questions. Listen, read and take notes. Make summaries. Be interested in what you are studying.
If you are easily distracted, don't sit with friends in class. Sit near the front.
Don't procrastinate. If you have this habit, break it. It only takes 2-3 weeks to establish a new habit. Once study becomes a habit, it's easy to keep going.
Study in a regular place, as free as possible from distractions.
Get an overview of new reading material by checking the table of contents where possible.
Motivate yourself. Reward yourself for tasks completed. Remember, motivation is your responsibility, not the lecturer's.
Use peer support. Talking with other students about course work helps build passion for the process. Form a study group with like-minded peers.
Talk, think and act like a dedicated student. Believe in yourself.
Writing is a skill that's developed through practice. Learn to enjoy writing.
Break large tasks down into achievable bits.
Find out about exams in advance. The best way is to listen for clues in class. Look at past exams. These are kept in the library.
Do you best, but don't be a perfectionist. There are no perfect essays.
Visualise success scenarios, including your own graduation.
Exam Strategies
Arrive early and try to sit where you will feel most comfortable.
Use breathing techniques to help you relax and stay calm.
Note all spoken or written instructions carefully. Assume nothing.
Read every question and start with the easiest ones first.
Budget your time and use the full time. Don't leave an exam room early.
Understand the question precisely before you begin writing. Make sure you are answering the question that is being asked.
For essay questions, answer the question directly and forcefully in the opening sentence. Don't waste time writing a formal introduction.
Don't keep the best till last. Jot down key words to come back to.
For multi-choice questions, read all options carefully and use the process of elimination. Always eliminate look-alike options, unless the last one says 'all of the above'.
Beware of 100% words (is, isn't, all, none etc). Correct answers are more likely to contain modifiers (often, usually, more, less etc).
Use facts and logic, not feelings and impressions. Be concise. Don't waffle.
Be natural and modest. Use your own voice.
Organise your ideas intelligently. Generally write deductive paragraphs ones that start with the topic sentence or main claim. Follow this with supporting ideas.
Understand lecturers' pet ideas, but don't be obsequious.
Pray often. There's nothing more powerful than being in close contact with the Genius of the universe.
Tips for answering objective questions (T/F, Multi-choice)
1.Note qualifiers
All, most some, none/no
Always, usually, sometimes, never
Great, much, little, no
More, equal, less
Good, bad
Is, is not
2. Be especially aware of 100% words
No, every, only, best
Never, always, entirely, worst
None, all, invariably
3. These words are more likely to be used in true statements:
Seldom, most, usually, sometimes, many, generally, often, few, ordinarily, frequently, some
4. Check each part of the statement:
A tropical product, cocoa is grown in parts of coastal PNG, and also in Nigeria , Brazil , Colombia , Venezuela and Southern Norway . (T/F)
Steve Waugh scored 170 against Sri Lanka in a recent series, and as a result became famous.
5. Be aware of negatives (esp double negatives). Compare:
It is illogical to assume that Steve Waugh's fame is a result of this one innings.
It is illogical to assume that Steve Waugh's fame is not a result of this innings.
(watch words with dis-, il- , im-, in-, ir-, non-, un-, etc)
6. Multi-choice. Read instructions carefully.
All options might be correct statement. Choose the best one.
Use the process of elimination. Try to identify distractors.
Strange options are often distractors (irrelevant, foolish, etc).
Mid-range numbers are more likely to be right.
Eliminate look-alike options (they can't both be right so must be wrong).
Note longer, more inclusive options.
Tips for answering Essay Questions
1. How essays are graded:
Reasoning ability
Factual accuracy
Relevance to question
Good organisation
Completeness
Clarity
2. Planning before you answer:
Jot down ideas before you forget them.
Read exam directions carefully. Note any options.
Read all the questions. Select the ones you feel best prepared for.
Jot cues beside each question.
Plan your time.
Do the easiest questions first.
3. How to answer an essay question:
Understand the question with precision. Know exactly what it means.
Write a complete answer. Inference not enough. Define terms. Be specific.
Use facts and logic, not feelings and impressions. Understanding... liking...
Avoid unsupported opinions. Use convincing evidence and argument.
Be concise. Don't waffle or ramble.
Write carefully, trying to avoid errors (writing conventions).
Be natural and sincere. Avoid high-sounding jargon.
Organise intelligently. Write deductive paragraphs with one main idea per paragraph.
KIS. Keep it simple.
Understand your lecturer's pet ideas.
4. Content of essay answer:
Don't write an introduction. Get straight to the point.
Answer the question directly and forcefully in the first sentence.
Don't save the best for last. End with a summarising sentence.
Use transition words effectively to tie your argument together.
Examination Information for Students
This
document outlines procedures associated with Avondale College examinations that you need to be familiar with.
Past Exam Papers
Past exam papers are stored in the reference area of the library at R378.94 AV7. At peak times past exam papers are moved to the photocopying room for easy access.
Please Note: Not all faculties provide copies of past exams.
Exam Timetable
Semester Two 2008
Timetable
Tutoring
Tutoring is available for Lake Macquarie Campus students in the Dyason-Williams Study Room Monday - Thursday 1pm-5pm. Tuesday and Wednesday 7.30pm-9.30 pm during each semester.
Acknowledgements
The information provided on this page comes from material supplied by Richard Anderson, Paul de Ville and David Potter.
