Passing exams

My future

There is no magic recipe for passing exams, apart from studying... and following these rules!

Preparing for an exam

  • The best study technique is to start studying for an exam on the first day of class, in order to understand all of the relevant material before the exam.

  • Keep a positive attitude, focusing on what you know instead of worrying about what you don't know.

  • Summarize your course notes and prepare an outline containing all the important elements.

  • Use well-known memorization techniques, such as repetition, idea association or acrostics (using the first letters of a series of items to be memorized to build a word).

  • The evening before the exam, relax and, most important, get a good night's sleep.

  • On the morning of the exam, get up early and have a good, light breakfast. Avoid coffee, especially if you are tired and stressed.

  • On the morning of the exam, it is too late to study! Just read over and review your notes and outlines.
During the exam
  • To avoid extra stress, arrive at the exam room no more than five or ten minutes in advance.

  • Before starting the exam, take the time to read all the instructions.

  • Take the time to read each question all the way through before you start answering. Underline the key words that will guide your answer (describe, list, explain, demonstrate, criticize, compare, analyze, etc.).

  • Start by answering the questions to which you know the answer, and then move on to the others.

  • Don't panic. If you draw a blank or don't know the answer to a given question, move on to the next one.

  • If the time allotted for answering seems too short to you, pay more attention to those questions that are worth more points. Avoid at all costs spending a lot of time on a question that is worth only 2% of the total mark, while neglecting another that counts for more than 20%.

  • Take a few minutes to review your answers before handing them in. At this point, don't change your answer unless you are absolutely certain about it. When in doubt, leave your original answer.

Bear in mind that exams measure your knowledge about a given subject at a given point in time, not your personal value as an individual!