Plan

The first step is to figure out how much time and effort you must dedicate to studying for the exam by asking the following questions:

• How much material do you need to cover?
• How difficult is the material?
• How much time is available?
• Do you have any other priorities during the study period?
• What is the format of the exam?
• How important is the exam?
• What is your performance target for the exam?

Map out all of the material that has to be covered and make a schedule showing what, when and how much you will study each day. Studying will involve revision of the material that you have already covered. If you are behind in the course, you will have to finish the readings and other uncompleted work before starting the revision. However, if there isn't enough time to go over everything, you must decide what is most important for the exam.

Here are some tips to follow in preparing your study plan:

• Budget for your time realistically. Don't make the study sessions too long; break your study time into several manageable sessions. Divide the course material into small segments and assign them to the study sessions. Set clear and specific goals for the study sessions
• Prioritize to ensure that material weighted more heavily in the exam gets sufficient study time
• Take into account your familiarity with the material and the difficulty level
• Study sessions should have enough variety in terms of topics and activities to prevent boredom and loss of effectiveness
• Avoid cramming before the exam; and don’t forget to include regular breaks.

Notes

Make a condensed version of your readings and class notes by creating summary notes. Understand the key terms and concepts. Pay attention to the teacher emphasized in your classes, textbooks and course syllabus. A topic that is given a lot of time in the classroom is more likely to be on the exam and you should have a good understanding of it.

The process of making summary notes can help you to retain more information. By writing the information thoughtfully you can develop a greater perception of the material.

Memorizing

"Index cards" are a good memorization tool. Write the notes on a card for each topic in:

• bullet points
• Keywords
• Lists
• Formulas, or
• Diagrams

The items on the cards act as memory triggers. By memorizing the cards you can strengthen your ability to recall larger bits of information. You can carry the cards with you and review them even when you have only short of time to revise. You may recite the summary notes aloud.

Practice

Understanding the topic you are studying is not enough.  You also need to be able to communicate the answers effectively under exam conditions. Practice using sample questions in the same format as the exam and answer them.

The sample questions can be sourced from old exams and assignments, which are often similar from year to year with small changes. Even though you are only practicing, it is better to write full answers to the questions so that you can work through the entire thought process.

The practice session should serve for feedback. Check the answers to the practice questions to diagnose your strengths and weaknesses. If you are weak in an area, go back and study it further to address any gaps.

Techniques

You can work with others or join a study group if you find it helpful, but be careful to keep it from turning into an inefficient use of your time. Some proven study tools and techniques are listed below - people respond to different learning styles, so use what works for you.

For many people, exam time is the most stressful part of the school year. With so many topics to cover, there can be a high degree of pressure to perform well.

Make sure all of your course material is well organized so you can find and fill any gaps. If you miss any classes, get the notes from your friends right away instead of scrambling at the last minute. Proper organization will help you to get a better picture of the material that has to be covered and improve the flow of the study process.

Here are some exam preparation tips to help you excel in school. You can only use these methods to get top marks a day or two before the examination.

Revision

• At the time that you schedule for study, go to any room you wish, but the room should be neat and quiet without any disturbances. Since you don't have that much time, focus is key areas. To prevent from dozing off, don't study on a couch or bed.
• It is not recommended to study at the last day, but if you didn't have time to study the days before, and have to study at the last day, study for an hour, then take a thirty minute break, and study again for an hour.
• Concentrate solely and heavily on the topic that you are revising. Understand as much and as fast as you can. Be patient. You'll understand the material you are studying eventually.
• Read your notes again after studying going through the topic. Try repeating the information you read by yourself without looking at the notes or book.
• When working your study group the next day, compare notes with your friends. Find out what your friends have studied. Share with the key ideas in the topics you studied. Ask for help if you have doubts and let others learn from you as well.

Answering questions

• Relax. Calm yourself before the exam. Keep your mind focused.
• Read the question once and think about what it is asking you before you start writing. Don't cheat or copy answer from others.
• Try to arrange time for lingering after the exam. You could calm yourself and discuss the exam's answers and their points with your friends.

Food

• Drink a big glass of water first thing in the morning. Your body dehydrates during the night. Have water to drink throughout the day.
• Eat before the exam to build your energy, but avoid heavy foods that can make you drowsy. If you can eat fruits and any kind of dark green leafy vegetable such as sukumawiki (kale), and others.
• You need heavy breakfast to fuel your day. It’s better to eat breakfast and lunch; skip dinner if you're going to skip something because to get adequate rest, you shouldn't have anything in your stomach.
• Processed sugar is harmful to your liver; it is empty food and starves your brain! Instead, eat good oils: hemp, flax, or olive oil. These feed your brain, and insulate your nerves. If available eat GOOD FATS, which are UNSATURATED, which include almonds, sunflower seeds, avocados, fish oils - these insulate your nerves.
• Avoid coffee. Caffeine in coffee goes right to your adrenal glands and causes them to secrete cortisol: your flight or fight response hormone. After an extended period of this, your adrenals can actually become permanently damaged. So in the long run, coffee doesn't give you energy, and it defeats your body's own way of generating energy.

Health

As the exam nears, you will need to create a plan to help you study effectively and minimize stress. Take care of yourself during the exam preparation. It is very important to be in good mental and physical condition for the exam. Too much mental or physical strain can affect your performance.

After you finish studying, take some time to relax. Don't stay up too late if you can help it and try to get a good night's sleep. Get 8 – 10 hours of sleep each night.

Keep a positive attitude about the exam. Think of it as a way to demonstrate your knowledge and not as some imposing challenge. Go to the exam focused and relaxed - you have done the work, now it's time to reap the rewards.

Stretch your body and take some deep breathe before you do anything else. Take a moment to stop and take a deep breath during your study.

Trust yourself and all the work that you've already done. Be cool and relax yourself by playing outside.