Preparing for Mid-Year Examinations

With our mid year exams for year 10 and 11 students approaching, the Teaching &

 Learning Team wants to highlight some strategies that could assist students in preparing for the demands of the busy exam period. 

Active Revision:

Active studying and revision is better than passive and we approach exams! Your time is much better spent applying your learning, than just reading over your notes or reading the same flash cards again and again. It’s important for you to use the information in new and unfamiliar contexts, like practice questions, or drawing connections between concepts in a formalised mindmap. 

Practice Exams and Exam-Style Questions:

The best method to do better on any assessment is to practice the same task type with the same content and get feedback!

If you make mistakes on the practice exam questions, then you can make adjustments and improve for the exam. Ask your teacher for feedback on your responses to understand where gaps lie in your knowledge. Always seek feedback, otherwise you are practicing and reinforcing errors!

You can also try completing any practice questions first in one pen colour without the use of any of your notes or resources, and then switch to a second pen colour to show the parts you answered using your notes. When completing these, highlight the command term/s and brainstorm what the term is expecting of you. 

The Pomodoro Technique:

Taking breaks helps you study and focus better for longer, especially when you do it the right way! 

When using the Pomodoro Technique, you work without distractions for 20-25 minutes before taking a short break, and after 4 rounds of this you take a 30 minute break. This helps keep your brain active and working at its best.

Study Areas:

Study areas need to be conducive to learning, in this case meaning that the area is productive and creates the best conditions for learning. 

Ideally you should:

• Study at a desk or table free from distractions, that is ergonomic (designed for comfort and efficiency), such as sitting straight on a chair with a back  
• Be somewhere that is quiet 
• Be clear from clutter
• Be able to see upcoming important dates and deadlines
• Avoid studying in your bed, or the couch; anywhere that you associate with relaxation will both prevent you from doing your most productive work, and also prevent your relaxation space from feeling peaceful. 

Managing The Exam Period:

• Be sure to get adequate sleep- otherwise you won’t commit your studying to memory!
• Prioritise and plan ahead. Leaving studying to the last minute, and not knowing when your exams are will cause you to feel ill-equipped and increase your stress. Look ahead in the Exam timetable and begin studying at least a couple of weeks prior to your exam. 
• Get outside and move your body, go for a walk, do something active that make you feel good.
• Access stress management resources through our Homestead Wellbeing Self-Referral or Headspace and other organisations.

Happy studying and best of luck for the upcoming exam period!

- Aimee Underwood

Leading Teacher (Teaching & Learning)