PASS YOUR POST-UTME EXAMS WITH THESE GREAT TIPS
Examination time is the period most students dread so much, but it is just so unfortunate for students that this period can never be averted. You have been taken through the lessons, there is a big need for you to be assessed if you understood what the lesson is all about. And besides, it is mandatory for you to take an examination to move to a higher class in Academics.
But do you know there is every possibility for you to have this period a stress-free one for yourself. If only you can take into considerations the requirements to achieve success in an examination. The following tips will assist you in  preparation for your Post-UTME Examination. Follow them diligently and passing your exam won’t be a hard nut for you to crack.
- Give yourself enough time to study
Don’t leave it until the last minute. While some students do seem to thrive on last-minute ‘cramming’, it’s widely accepted that for most of us, this is not the best way to approach an exam. Set out a timetable for your study. Write down how many exams you have and the days on which you have to sit them. Then organize your study accordingly. You may want to give some exams more study time than others, so find a balance that you feel comfortable with.
- Use flow charts and diagrams
Visual aids can be really helpful when revising. At the start of a topic, challenge yourself to write down everything you already know about a topic – and then highlight where the gaps lie. Closer to the exam, condense your revision notes into one-page diagrams or clues that you believe you can easily understand. You can abbreviate the first letters of a list of items and try to keep the abbreviated letters to memory.
Getting your ideas down in this brief format can then help you to quickly recall everything you need to know during the exam.
- Practice Past Questions
One of the most effective ways to prepare for exams is to practice taking past questions. This helps you get used to the format of the questions, and (if you time yourself) can also be good practice for making sure you spend the right amount of time on each section.
- Organize study groups with friends
Get together with friends for a study session. You may have questions that they have the answers to and vice versa. As long as you make sure you stay focused on the topic for an agreed amount of time, this can be one of the most effective ways to challenge yourself.
- Take regular breaks
While you may think it’s best to study for as many hours as possible, this can actually be counterproductive. If you were training for a marathon, you wouldn’t try and run 24 hours a day! Likewise studies have shown that for long-term retention of knowledge, taking regular breaks really helps.
Everyone’s different, so develop a study routine that works for you. If you study better in the morning, start early before taking a break at lunchtime. Or if you’re more productive at nighttime, take a larger break earlier on so you’re ready to settle down come evening.
- Snack on ‘brain food’
Keep away from junk food! You may feel like you deserve a treat, or that you don’t have time to cook, but what you eat can really have an impact on energy levels and focus. Keep your body and brain well-fuelled by choosing nutritious foods that have been proven to aid concentration and memory, such as fish, nuts, seeds, yogurt and blueberries.
The same applies on exam day – eat a good meal before the test, based on foods that will provide a slow release of energy throughout. Sugar may seem appealing, but it won’t help when your energy levels crash an hour or so later.
- Plan the D-day
Make sure you get everything ready well in advance of the exam – don’t leave it to the day before to suddenly realize you don’t know the way, or what you’re supposed to bring. Check all the rules and requirements, and plan your route and journey time. If possible, do a test run of the trip; if not, write down clear directions.
Work out how long it will take to get there – then add on some extra time. You really don’t want to arrive having had to run halfway or feeling frazzled from losing your way. You could also make plans to travel to the exam with friends or classmates, as long as you know they’re likely to be punctual!
