EXAM SKILLS Workshop. How to be better prepared & do well in exams.

Transcription

1 EXAM SKILLS Workshop How to be better prepared & do well in exams. 1

2 Welcome to the workshop Speaker: Jonny Wells HELPS Centre 2

3 Presentation can download from HELPS website UTS HELPS Daily workshops > RESOURCES FOR DAILY WORKSHOPS Download: 3

4 Today s program Discussion / Ice breaker Effective exam preparation Effective revision tips & skills Time Management & study management How to remember & memorise material How to achieve your best 4

5 Discussion Questions Ask your partner these questions How many exams do you have this semester? What type of exams are they, multiple choice, essay writing/ case studies etc. What are you most worried about regarding these exams? 5

6 Do what works for you Everyone studies differently Everyone learns differently Everyone revises differently Find techniques that WORK for you! There s no magic solution! 6

7 Today will give you: General strategies that can be applied to most exams Won t be going into specific exams of individual subjects Bear In Mind 7

8 Requires 2 things TIME & EFFORT Input usually determines output the more you put in the more you get out Doing well in exams 8

9 Recognise what is significant and what s MUST KNOW information Be able condense the whole subject into relevant information/parts Be able to identify links & connections between the different aspects of the subject Subject Knowledge 9

10 Best ways- is to practice under similar conditions: Mock exams (in class & at home) Timed conditions Focusing on questions/ getting to the meaning Knowing what you know and what you don t Learning efficient time management skills Exam Practice 10

11 What good tips & pieces of exam advice do you have to share? Group Question 11

12 Answers the question precisely Has a clear argument /perspective Is critical and analytical Is well structured into clear paragraphs Evaluates different perspectives Refers to key theory and concepts Has references Written clearly & in legible handwriting Has been proofread before submission Characteristics of good exam 12 papers/essays by students

13 Answers the set question Has a clear calculations Is well structured & comprehensible Demonstrates how you arrived at this final figure/calculation Refers to key theory and concepts & applies them Show deduction & investigation to the problem Written clearly & legible figures/answers Calculations & figures have been checked before submission Characteristics of good exam papers/financial 13

14 Scan paper first Read each question carefully Work quickly If not sure, leave it & come back to it Use a process of elimination if not sure of answer Leave time at the end to fully double check your answers Tips for Multiple Choice Exams 14

15 As a general rule Organise your case study well / use headings Ensure you fully understand the case & what s at stake Don t try to over-simplify the problems & solutions Perhaps offer a few alternative solutions? Keep to report style in presentation Write neatly & clearly throughout Tie in theory and academic concepts to support any recommendations you re making Tips for Case Study Exams 15

16 Tips for Short Answer Questions Scan paper first Read each question carefully Note marks awarded If not sure of an answer, leave it & come back to it Give enough detail without being over wordy Leave time at the end to fully double check your answers 16

17 Work on developing good time management skills in exam settings Divide your time within the exam Time Management 17

18 GETTING STARTED 18

19 Draw up a revision timetable Have some revision methods in place Getting Started 19

20 Question Discuss What revision methods work well for you? 20

21 Plan a revision timetable Start at least 3-4 weeks in advance for each subject 21

22 Time management for revision Set yourself goal/target of what you want to revise/ read or review Study in 50 minute focused blocks Give yourself a break Repeat if necessary Try different time of the day/night see what works best Effective Study revision techniques 22

23 Needs to include: Draw up a plan of what you intend to revise Organise your notes so you find what you need Organise your study area/environment Revise using the focused 50 min blocks (monitor how this works for you) Start revising the less challenging/accessible things first Read through your subject outline 12 weeks Your Revision Plan 23

24 Also read around your subject to build knowledge Talk to your lecturer to get full information about the exam and what it covers (questions to ask your lecturer(s): What do we need to revise? What do we have to know? What will the exam cover? What type of questions will be asked? Your revision plan (cont) 24

25 Stop worry kicking in Be strategic Note down the worries as and when they arise then note next to them a solution for how to fix it. Stopping the Worry 25

26 Stop the worry 26

27 How are your confidence levels? Do you know the main concepts/topics/ themes in your field? Are you aware of the main points of view/ calculations/ theories? Can you apply these to practical exam question examples / text book questions? How much revision is enough? 27

28 Cover the answers Set yourself a quiz Get friends/family to test you Review on bus/train This will let you know your strengths & weaknesses Self Test your knowledge 28

29 Use cue cards 29

30 Revise the easy stuff first Build your confidence and power of recall Self teach new concepts theories and information Go back to the more challenging info and try to learn/memorise this Try to find easier versions of this if still too difficult Keep testing yourself Get friends/ family to test you also. Revision Strategies 30

31 Access Past Exam papers 31

32 Rote learning (learning off by heart) Frequent Exposure -Read-cover-repeat Make lists learn them Use Mnemonics (neh-mon-ik) e.g Never Eat Shredded Wheat (NESW) Spring forward, Fall back Righty Tighty, Lefty loosey Make more complex & appropriate ones for your information! Memorisation Techniques 32

33 Group Ideas together SWOT / 6p s (marketing theory) Record Key & difficult to remember information on MP3/ sound recorder. Very effective tool to help retention. Play before bed, first thing in morning & during the day Memorisation 33

34 Practical Example This Marketing Theory want you to remember the headings 34 Source: UTS, 2010

35 Is developed over time Needs frequent self-testing Needs to keep reviewing info -1 hr later, 5 hrs later & 24hrs later Question, self test, reflect. Mix memory techniques to help you remember Memory 35

36 Memory Test: 1. Which way do you untighten a screw? 2. What in Marketing Theory are the 5 Psychological variables of Buyer Behaviour? 36

37 Common Mistakes & Ensuring Success 37

38 Leaving revision to the last minute Putting it off Revising ONLY by yourself Not testing yourself to see HOW MUCH you know & remember Revising too little Not being able to recall key information Common Mistakes 38

39 Start revising early READ WIDELY about your subject and use other sources to help build knowledge. Find easier versions of more challenging concepts/ideas/calculations Plan & practice the more obvious questions Know what the examiners are looking for Build breadth & currency of knowledge Practise, Practise, Practise Get help and support from lecturers, subject coordinators & support staff early on How to increase your chances of success 39

40 Exam Technique 40

41 Exam Q: 41

42 Exam answers generally gain strength from considering other alternative viewpoints. Using the word however or in contrast is an ideal way to develop differing opinions and become CRITICAL in your exam paper. The Importance of However 42

43 Visualisation walk yourself through the exam day Deep Breathing 4 sec breaths in & out Exercise raise your heart rate brisk walk / jogging /swim / climb the stairs 3-4 times Talk to yourself/build confidence I can do it!! Calming Nerves 43

44 Visit the room/place of exam beforehand so you re prepared and can help visualise sitting there. Avoid people who are taking your confidence away those who are super confident, negative or panicky types. Advance Preparation 44

45 The Day Before The Exam 45

46 Briefly review your notes Sleep well Do some exercise which raises your heart rate (brisk walking, star jumps, jogging) Visualise techniques walk through the exam in your mind Prepare materials needed for the exam jacket, calculator, pens, snacks, water, student card etc. Ensure you eat well before an exam this is the energy for your brain! The day before 46

47 Help & Support Services 47

48 Maths Support Centre Tower Building The Mathematics Study Centre is located on both UTS City Campus, in room 1615, level 16, building 1 (tower) and in room 520 and 523, building 2, UTS Kuring-Gai Campus Help & Support Services 48 learningsupport@uts.edu.au

49 Counselling Unit 49

50 Access Past Papers / Library 50

51 HELPS Centre Develop your writing skills / speaking skills / critical thinking skills Study Support 51

52 In the Exam 52

53 Calm yourself Use your breathing techniques to clear your mind Set watch in front of you/divide your time Open the paper & scan questions Notice marks awarded to each section Divide your time accordingly When sit down in the exam... 53

54 If mind goes blank close eyes BREATHE refocus Ask yourself questions Who? When? What? Where? How? Move on come back to difficult questions later Build confidence with the easy stuff first and gain max marks Try to answer ALL questions If all else fails make an estimated guess Problems? 54

55 Work that shows. Evidence of background learning and research Understanding of the key theories and concepts Meets the set exam criteria & answers the question Develops a logical and structured argument & draws conclusions Organises relevant info into a structure Gives and shows relevant and supporting arguments Correct deduction of calculations /financial analysis Shows thought and reflection Is well presented at university standard. What gets better marks in exams? 55

56 Lecturer/ Faculty staff HELPS Centre Internet Books / Bookshop Co-Op/Abbeys/Bridge Library Exam papers Your Classmates/Friends/Peers Further resources / help 56

57 Published by Palgrave Macmillan Approx $40 Useful Further Resources 57

58 Any questions? Do you have any questions about today s workshop? 58

59 Thanks for your time Good luck with your exams this semester! 59