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Exam times can be very stressful because students go through a lot of pressure to perform well. Best exam preparation tips help us gain insights on where to start. However, there are some things you may do to prepare better for your examinations.
For most exams, it is important to finish your curriculum, but it is also important to make good use of your time. It’s a myth that students should study 12 to 14 hours daily to get high grades, which doesn’t always hold true.
During this time, it’s more important to think about how much you’ve learned than how long you’ve been studying. In this article, we’ll talk about smart ways to study for exams to help you do better in school.
Here are the 23 Best exam preparation tips you can follow:
Best Exam Preparation Tips
1. Start Your Preparation Early
Starting your preparation early for exams will give you plenty of time to review everything you’ve already learned. So, don’t leave anything for the last moment, and make sure you understand the subject properly. This will greatly simplify revision.
You can also create a timetable to manage your time better. First, make a list of how many tests you have and when you have to take them. Then, plan your study time accordingly.
Remember that you may want to devote more preparation time to some subjects than others, so strike a balance that works for you. Let’s jump on to the remaining best exam preparation tips.
2. Set Study Goals
Set a goal for each time you study to keep track of what you are learning or going over. You can write down your goals for studying at the start of your session or at the end of the session. Here are some examples of goals for studying:
- I’ll solve at least five equations.
- I’ll go over and summarise Chapters 5 and 6.
- I will grasp and learn the important ideas covered in the week 2 to 4 lectures.
3. Organise your Space for Study
Make sure everything is organized before you sit down to study for your exams. You should have sufficient space around you to organize your notes and books. Also, make sure your chair is comfortable, your room has enough light, and there’s nothing around you, like video games, that could be distracting.
When preparing for exams, you need to be as comfortable as possible and eliminate any distractions so you can study more. Also, before you start preparing, you must organize your study materials.
So, organize your notes, make sure you have all the handouts, summarise each chapter of your textbook, and make an outline of the topic so you can use it as a last-minute reference.
One of the most important things to ponder while studying is to keep everything in order. It will give you a comfortable workplace and help you stay on task while preparing.
4. Review and Practice Old Exam Papers
One of the best and proven ways to learn how to study for exams is to go over and practice old exam papers. It helps you learn how the question paper is set up and organized.
If you can, try timing yourself when you review past exam papers. It will help you track down how long you spend on each part.
You can get past year exam papers from your teacher or the library at your university, or you can search online. Proceed to the remaining best exam preparation tips.
5. Gather your friends for study sessions
Setting up study sessions with your friends is one of the most important tips for college students studying for exams. This way, everyone can help each other find answers to their questions. But you should make sure not to waste time and keep your mind on learning how important it is to study for exams.
You can also push yourself and keep moving toward your goal by studying with friends or other students.
6. Make Use of Diagrams and Flowcharts
Visual aids can be very helpful when studying or getting ready for an exam. So, first, try to write down everything you know about a topic, and then, when exams are coming up, but those notes into a diagram that fits on one page.
Having your ideas converted into diagrams and flow charts will make it easier to remember everything you need to know for the exam.
7. Study to Suit your Learning Style
Your way of learning will help you figure out how to study best for an exam. For instance, if you learn best by listening (auditory learner), you might find it helpful to record your notes and listen to them later. You can also listen to recordings of lectures.
On the other hand, pictures and diagrams can help you remember if you learn best by observing (Visual learner). So, find out how you learn best so you can remember important facts and understand interesting concepts.
8. Describe your Answers to Others
Parents and siblings don’t have to be annoying all the time, especially when it’s time for exams. To prevent them from disturbing you, use them to your advantage by telling them the answers you have prepared. This will help you retain your learned topic and determine where you need more work.
9. Take Regular Intervals
Even though it might seem like studying more hours would make you more productive, this isn’t the case. It might just make you too tired to study and remember anything. So it’s important to take breaks often so you can remember things for longer and clear your mind.
Everyone is different in their ways, so what works for you might not work for others. Think about the best times for you to study when making a study schedule. For example, if you study better at night, take your break earlier. And if you work better in the morning, start studying first and then take a break for lunch.
10. Do Not Cram
You’ll feel more anxious and stressed if you stay up all night and cram. So instead of trying to learn everything the day before the test, it’s better to go over what you’ve already learned and get to bed early.
This will help you stay alert for your exam. The night before your test, the most important things you should do to get ready are:
- Get all of your study materials together
- Look over your notes
- Try to remember the core concepts.
- Set your alarm
11. Plan your Exam Day and Sleep Well
Ensure you have everything prepared long before your exam, and don’t leave anything for the last day. Check that all your requirements are met and make any other arrangements that need to be made.
Also, figure out which route you will take on the day of the exam and how long it will take to reach the center. This will help you get to the test center on time and keep you from being late.
If you think the route is too far, you can plan to travel with your friends or classmates as long as you know they will be on time.
Also, don’t forget to get at least 7 hours of sleep the night before the exam. Remember that exams are meant to test how well you can think. So, if you don’t get enough sleep, you might not be able to finish your exam on time or describe your answers well.
12. Ask for Help
If you have trouble understanding a certain idea or topic, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Before it’s too late, talk to your mentor, teacher, tutor, or friend who understands the concept well. Getting help from someone rather than memorizing or cramming can help you understand the concept for a longer time.
Your family can also help you by asking you questions about your topic to see if you understand the concept or not.
13. Do Not Evaluate Post Examination
It could make you feel anxious if you finish your exam and realize you gave the wrong answer to one of the questions.
So don’t look over your question paper because you won’t be able to change your answer or your score after that. Instead, keep your mind on your studies and prepare for the next exam so you don’t make the same mistake again.
14. Choose Eating Nutritious Foods
Eating junk food while studying might be tempting, which can make you tired. Therefore, avoid junk food and make sure you eat healthy, well-balanced meals that are good for your memory and concentration, like seeds, nuts, fish, blueberries, yogurt, and beans.
Also, think about eating a healthy meal the day before the exam that will give you slow-release energy all day. Keep in mind that even though you might want something sweet, it will make you feel tired an hour later.
15. Drink Lots of Water
One of the essential things to consider on exam day is to stay hydrated. This will keep you in a good mood and help your brain work at its best.
Make sure you drink enough water while studying for exams and even while taking them.
16. Learn by Teaching Others
Explaining concepts to a classmate is a great approach to ensure that you fully understand the material—and to assist them in learning as well.
When you come up with new methods to describe an idea, you are mastering it by digesting it for others.
17. Test Your Knowledge
Once you know how the exam is set up, make a practice test based on what you think might be on the real test. This will help you understand the material better and give you ideas about what to study. Then, you can quiz yourself and your study group with your practice test.
18. Create Flashcards
One of the best methods for college students to study is to write key facts, ideas, and definitions over and over on flashcards. You can also test yourself on your own with flash cards. Study apps and Digital flashcards are another way to organize and review the material.
19. Switch It Up
If you spend more time on one subject, you might lose your attention. One of the most important things to remember when studying for college exams is to switch subjects every 30 minutes to avoid getting tired of learning. After giving your brain a break, go back to tough topics.
20. Focus on Understanding
Finding ways to remember and repeat facts is what it means to memorize them. When you understand something, you know it deeper, can use it in different situations, and see how it fits in with other ideas. Exams in college often test more than just what you can remember.
21. Stay Focused
Getting your mind back on track can be as easy as putting down your phone and stepping away from your friends. To help you study, put on some instrumental music or noise-canceling headphones and put your phone on “airplane mode.”
22. Take the Right Approach
Different approaches to studying are helpful for different kinds of college exams. Multiple choice means that you have to pay attention to definitions and ideas. On essay tests, you must show that you understand the ideas behind the material. Ask your teacher how the exam will be set up, so you know how to study.
23. Reward Yourself
Developing good study habits takes work. Give yourself breaks and small treats to help you keep going. You can stay motivated with healthy snacks, nice walks outside, or even an episode of your favorite TV show.
You need to know how you learn best to do well in college. It will also help you with projects and presentations at work after you graduate. Finding the Best exam preparation tips will save you time and energy and help you do your best.
Final words:
You should consider the above best exam preparation tips for students to do well on your exam day. But you might find that other things work better for you, so try everything and ask your friends how they study for their exams. Some of their final exam study tips might also help you.
FAQs On Best Exam Preparation Tips
1. How can I improve my brain before an exam?
Organize these things the night before your exam, so you can go to sleep easily and wake up with peace of mind.
- Collect your materials.
- Get enough sleep.
- Set your alarms.
- Lay out your outfit.
- Map out your route the night before.
- Listen to music.
- Repeat positive affirmations.
- Calm yourself with focused breathing.
2. How does Topper study?
Limit what you eat, but ensure it’s healthy, and try not to think negatively. Avoid sleeping late at night, and do not disturb your sleep pattern. Do breathing exercises and meditation to improve your ability to focus. It is probably the most important habit of toppers!
3. How can I focus on studying?
How to Stay Focused While Studying
- Create a suitable study environment.
- Set specific, clear goals.
- Make a plan for studying.
- Along with a “ritual” for studying.
- Tell your family and close ones about your study plan.
- Don’t let anything else get in the way.
- Use the Pomodoro Method.
4. How can I remember what I study in 15 minutes?
- Schedule a 15-minute cumulative review each day.
- Set a regular time for it to help it become a habit.
- Look at your notes from the previous lessons during your cumulative review.
- Taking good notes is the key to quickly going over this review, and you should always try to improve your notes.
5. What foods to avoid while studying?
- Trans-fats.
- Sugar.
- Caffeine.
- Fried food.
6. What is the best study time?
Several studies show that your analytical and critical thinking skills are at their best between 2 and 5 p.m. During this period, your brain can be very good at putting all the new information you’ve learned together and making sense of it. The afternoon is also a great time to learn creative things.
7. What are the brain foods for exams?
- Berries.
- Citrus fruits.
- Dark chocolate
- Nuts.
- Eggs.
- Avocados.
- Fish.
- Beets.
8. How can I control my exam nerves?
Other than the given best exam preparation tips, you can keep these points in mind to reduce anxiety:
- Find out how to study well.
- Study early and in the same place.
- Set up a consistent routine to do before a test.
- Talk with your Teacher.
- Learn relaxation techniques.
- Don’t forget to eat and drink.
- Get some exercise.
- Get a lot of rest.
These were some of the best exam preparation tips.
