Creating an exam study plan
Exams of all types are just around the corner and to do well, you will need to be organized. Here’s how to do that.
Getting ready to sit exams is stressful but important, and whilst the anxiety around them can be high, if you have a good plan that you stick to it becomes much easier to manage this and to secure the results that you want (and hopefully deserve!). Here is some information on how to prepare for exam season like a pro.
Work out what exams you’ll sit and when.
The first step is to understand which exams you’re going to sit and exactly when that will happen. With a long exam period you might sit some papers up to 6 or 7 weeks before your last ones so naturally you’ll want to spend a bit more time early on getting ready for those. Think about how this schedule will affect what you need to study and when.
Decide how much time each one needs.
Not every exam is equal. Some papers are smaller than others and some you will find comparatively easier. Equally, some exams will be more important to you than others and it’s important to prioritise your time effectively. If Maths is the most important subject for your future studies or career, it makes sense to spend more time working on it. Before you start to build a schedule, set a fixed amount of time you’ll need to revise for each paper.
Split your time up with plenty of detail.
When you know how much time you need to study for each paper it’s time to get scheduling. Set aside blocks of time in regular slots to make it easier to plan and try to rotate subjects. For example, studying biology every day for a week is likely to get repetitive, so try and study a different subject each day, or even a couple of different subjects each day if that helps you to focus.
When you have allocated time to a subject, try and be more detailed with what you’re going to study. You can’t afford to slip behind so if you have budgeted 1 day for each topic for a paper you need to make sure you stick to that.
Mix learning and revision with exam practice.
Whilst you’re working you want to try and stay as fresh as possible. This means mixing up your subjects but also mixing up how you work on them. Some days you’ll want to revise your past notes, others create mind maps and also consider how and when you do past questions and whole past papers. These are all important tools.
Give yourself breaks and treats… but stick to them.
During your revision, you’ll need breaks. Little breaks each day, and even some full days off from studying. Plan these into your schedule and look forward to them… you’ll have earned it. When you have a break, try and get away from your desk or your computer for a proper reset, and be sure to finish your break on time.