Tips to help you succeed in your exams

Mon 14 May 2018

Taking exams is stressful and it is a shame if you cannot fully leverage your knowledge and achieve the grades you deserve. Some simple tips can help you perform better and succeed in your exams.

Get a good night’s sleep! 

Cramming all night long before an exam may sound like a good idea, but in fact it isn’t. Going into an exam with lack of sleep is not good. Your brain will not be working at full capacity and you may not be able to recall information you studied or be able to concentrate. Therefore, even if you feel like you need to study late into the night, it would be better to turn off that light and go to sleep and let your brain rest.

Eat a nutritious breakfast

Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day. Whether you believe that or not, going into an exam on an empty stomach is not ideal and can be distracting. Eat a nutritious breakfast to give your body energy. Drink plenty of water as well to keep hydrated and keep your brain working at optimal levels.

Organize your study space

Your study space is important and organizing it can increase your efficiency. Remove things you don’t need, so that you can easily lay out your notes and textbooks. Keep distractions to a minimum, which means putting your phone on silent and putting away gaming devices and other things that could distract you. Other things to consider are the lighting in your room and the height of your chair – make sure you are in a comfortable study space.

Find out what type of learner you are

Before you even start studying, it’s a good idea to know what type of learner you are. A popular theory is the VARK model, which stands for: Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic. Do you learn better writing things down? Saying things out loud? Using flashcards? Walking around? Figure out what study method best suits your learning needs and stick to that method!

Practice on old exam

Old exams are usually readily available and are a good way to practice for an exam. It is important to know what type of exam you will be sitting – is it multiple choice or essay or a mixture? Learn from the type of questions that were asked in the past. You can also time yourself by taking an old exam and see if you can finish the exam in the given time. If not, you can practice to speed up your test taking.

How we can help you?

ONCAMPUS teachers will help you improve your study skills, such as critical thinking, research and communication skills and these in turn will help your test taking skills. Also, during your time at ONCAMPUS, you will attend one-on-one academic progression meetings with an advisor, so that you can pin-point where your strengths and weaknesses are. Since our classes are specifically designed to match your academic course work, this will give you the tools you need to succeed in your exams.