Today our topic of discussion is- Preparing for Tests and Exams – 1
Preparing for Tests and Exams – 1
You usually sit for a test for final evaluation at the end of every course. As a student, it is very useful for you to know how to get ready for the examination. Lessons 5.5 and 5.6 will discuss how you can be well-prepared for the examinations.
Objectives:
After you complete this lesson you will be able to tell the importance of revision to get prepared for examinations
Situation :
From lesson 5.2 you have learnt about the importance of “Revision”. In fact revision could be a regular process throughout the course. How can you plan your revision session? Well your revision should be an important part of your study time table. You can plan regular revision session in the following way.
- Start each study session with a review of the last session.
- End each week with a review of the week.
- End each month with a review of the month.
- End each term (or semester) with a review of that term or semester.
- End the year’s course with a review of the course.
In the way mentioned above each topic comes up for review for at least five times. This allows you to reinforce your ability to recall the materials and to draw relationship between the current study material and other topics.
Each revision session takes one back past learning and increases the rate of retention of learning. Your workload will never be a load if you are in the revision process on a regular basis.
Methods of revising:
Although revising largely involves going over previously prepared notes it does not mean just passively reading through. To make your revision interesting and effective you may:
- Test yourself at regular intervals
- Try some problems which you haven’t tried before
- Practise listening skills
- Practise Speaking skills – think of different situation and practice accordingly
- Use active recall, reciting, reading, or just verbal recall of your notes\
- Discuss your subject with someone
- Check your understanding of your notes
- Ask yourself questions on your learning
Preparation for exams:
In the real examination you will always have to work to time. So practise answering many as papers as possible under strict examination conditions. Try to get copies of previous examination papers and practise on them. This will make you feel comfortable when you will go for the actual examination.
You must allow yourself only the normal exam time. Imagine yourself to be in the examination hall and take only those materials which you are allowed to take in the hall. Without interruption or break finish this exam. Then assess yourself.
This will show you how much you can actually get done in the time and help you to plan your allocation of time within the examination itself. It will also provide you information whether you’ve mastered your course and if further revision practice is needed. Practice examination is very important in preparation for real exam. So go for this sort of pre-tests frequently.
The real examination :
For most students preparation for the real examination starts the day before. You must keep ready everything you will be requiring. For example, your ID card, pen, pencil, sharpener, eraser, ruler and whatever else you might need for your particular examination.
Be sure of the place of examination where it is and how to get there. Take enough time to reach the spot in time. Arriving late for an exam can ruin your chances of success. If you are late, the time for answering is also shortened.
Once the examination actually begins and you see the qestions paper, take your time. Follow each and every instruction carefully. Don’t rush at the paper. Read the instructions carefully to see how many questions you are expected to answer.
In case of options, look through the paper carefully. You can put a mark at the side of those you can definitely answer. Begin with answering the easiest questions first, leaving the doubtful ones until later. For listening tests, you might not have time to look back. Listen to the question and keep on answering.
If you miss something/some word, just leave it like that and don’t waste your time on that. You might miss the next one if you do so. Just continue your task and don’t lose track.
Remember, each question should take no longer than the time allowed but sometimes candidates take longer because of an extended answer.
So, if a question is taking more than its allotted time, re-read the question and you may not be answering it. Attempt the next one. Try to answer as many questions as possible. Make best use of your time.
Despite the best preparation, you may make silly slips. So do leave time to look over all your answers to correct such mistakes. You may also include points you forget to mention earlier. So, revise your answer sheet before you leave the examination hall.
Review Questions: Answer the following questions.
1. Should revision take place the just week before the tests?
2. How could you plan a regular revision session?
3. Why should one revise?
4. How can you make revision interesting and effective?
5. How would you examine your exam?
6.How could you prepare for the exam?
7. Why would you take practice examination?
8.What might you have to take to the examination?
9. Why is it important to know the place of examination?
10.Why should one listen to/read the instruction carefully?
11.Why keeping pace with time is so important specially in the listening test?
12. Why is revision of the answer sheet important?
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