Studying for exams: tips, techniques and strategies

Here are a number of different ways to study for the exams. You're sure to find some methods below that will suit your way of studying and help you pass.

Good study methods

Write model answers

First find out what sort of questions to expect in the exam

• You may find information about this in the course material and/or on the course page.
• If you're not sure about the type of questions to expect in the exams (e.g. essays, paragraphs, short answers, or multiple choice), call your lecturer/tutor on 0508 650 200 and ask.

Once you know what sort of questions to expect, try to predict possible questions

• Read through all the course/learning materials and mark possible questions.
• Read the information on the course page - are there any pointers there?
• Read all emails and posts from the lecturer/tutor - are there any hints or tips there?
• Work through old exam papers to see what sort of questions were asked in the past. But - remember to check if the course has been revised or the format of the exam has changed before relying too much on old exams papers.
• Make a list of all the possible questions that you have identified.

Work out model answers to your questions

• Start with brainstorming (perhaps use a mindmap for this).
• Sort out/order your ideas.
• Decide on an outline and write it down.
• Then fill in the gaps.

Practise writing your answers

• As most of us don’t spend a huge amount of time writing any more, sitting down and writing non-stop for a few hours (as you have to during an exam), can be very tiring.
• To prepare, simulate exam conditions and practise writing as fast as you can.
• Time yourself. Are you writing fast enough to finish the exam in the allotted time?
• Remember, not all pens are equal. Try out a number of different pens and spend some time writing fast with them. You’ll find some pens are far more comfortable to hold than others. Once you've found one or two types of pen that are right for you, buy a few so you don’t run out at a crucial time. If you find your hand gets very tired and sore, try swapping pens – this might help.

Summarise, using key words

Summarising reduces the amount of material you have to remember while helping you to learn

• Once you've studied a section, reduce the main ideas to key words that can be memorised.
• Start by deciding on the main (most important) idea in each paragraph.
  Tip: ask yourself: 'What is this paragraph/section about?'
• Rewrite the main idea in your own words; then reduce it so you're left with a short sentence.
• Then write a few key words (the supporting details) under each main idea.
• You can also use this technique to help you remember your model answers,

Distillation and re-creation

First 'distil' the material by reducing it to manageable chunks

• Identify the key words.
• Underline or highlight them.

Then re-create the information by

• Re-telling it in a different way (paraphrasing it) and/or
• Summarising it, using your own words.

How to paraphrase and summarise

Reciting aloud

Read key sections aloud – listen to yourself

• Read each section three or four times and listen carefully. Pay attention to what you're saying.
• Hide the page from view.
• Recite the main points from memory.
• Check to see if your recall was accurate.
• Repeat these steps until you can recall the information easily and accurately.
• Try recording what you say and play it back, perhaps in the car while you’re driving to work.

Test yourself

The key here is using your own words

• If you think you know something, but can't put it into you own words, you probably don't know it well enough.
• Being able to explain something in your own words is the only way to be sure that you really understand it and know it well. It's also one of the best ways of preventing exam stress.
• Set a ‘model’ exam and try it under ‘exam’ conditions; practise writing to a time limit and use your own words to answer the questions.   

Post-its

Use Post-its to help you review/remember important facts or key words

• Stick the Post-its up in places where you won’t miss them: next to the bathroom mirror, on the fridge door, next to the coffee mugs, etc.
• Each time you see a Post-it, briefly review the information.
• Move the Post-its around so you don’t become so used to seeing them that you no longer notice them.
• Use different coloured Post-its and coloured pens, symbols, etc. - this helps you to remember.  

Flashcards

Studying with flashcards is a form of active learning.
Using flashcards to revise forces you to think about the material and do something with it rather than just reading it. And this definitely helps you remember what you are studying.

How to use flashcards for studying

• As you're working through your learning material or reviewing your notes, identify and note any questions you could be asked.
  Tip: You could try imagining you're teaching the course: what questions would you ask in the exam?
• Note any terms, concepts or formulas, etc., that you need to learn.
• Write each question, term, concept and/or formula on a separate flashcard.
• Write the answer or explanation on the other side of the card.
• Use your own words whenever possible.
• Shuffle the index cards so you can't figure out any answers based on their location in the deck.
• Look at the card on the top of the deck: Try to answer the question or explain the term.
• If you know it, great! Put the card at the bottom of the deck.
• If you don't know the answer, look at it, and put the card a few down in the deck (so it'll soon come up again).
• Keep working through the deck of cards until you know all the answers.

Use your 'spare time'

• Carry your cards with you everywhere you go so that you can take advantage of any spare time you may have - test yourself while you're waiting in a queue, on the bus or train, getting dressed in the morning, or any odd moment you can think of.
• You’ll be amazed at how much ‘extra’ study time you have and how much more you remember!

Study with a friend

Teaming up with a friend, fellow student or study group (face-to-face or online) has many advantages

• Try bouncing ideas off one another.
• Help one another with difficult concepts.
• Motivate one another.
• Study buddies can also quiz one another – each one draws up a list of questions to ask their study buddy.
• Try ‘teaching’ one another – teaching is a great way to learn. It’s also a good way make sure that you can explain something in your own words.
• If you don’t have a study buddy, try ‘teaching’ a family member or a friend, or perhaps ‘man’s best friend’ (or even the family cat).The very act of talking about the work will clarify your thinking/knowledge and will reveal any gaps or weaknesses that require your attention.