7 tips to pass exams

1.       No limiting belief please

-          Remove the limiting belief that you can’t pass.

-          If you believe you can pass or you believe you cannot pass, you are right.

-          I have seen students under the impression that examiner is their enemy. Please don’t think so. Pass percentage might be low, but students do pass their exams. So, don’t think that you will be in a failure category ever.

2.       Understand the structure of paper

-          First of all, understand the structure of paper – is there any marks allocation for a particular topic?

-          Secondly, if there is marks allocation, is examiner following it? The best thing to do is to review the past five papers.

-          What is the key topic i.e. examiner’s favorite? Is there any article by examiner in the Students’ Accountant or any other relevant student magazine? Study that topic and prepare for it, even if you don’t like it!

3.       Taking notes

-          Prepare for exams by way of ‘notes’ which you can recall quickly at the time of taking exam. This will help in two manner. First, when you write, you are in better picture of giving your mind instruction through written letters. Secondly, you can revise from your notes instead of opening the book when exam day is near. Here is my strategy for taking notes:

-          Take a paper and turn it in landscape format.

-          Put three columns in landscape form.

-          Once done, take synopsis of a chapter in smaller fonts and the language which you can easily understand.

-          Write bullet points, important concepts and key ideas which you need to remember.

-          These notes should be used at the time when paper is on head and you need to revise whole subject in two to three hours.

4.       Remembering / memorizing key ideas and formulae

-          One of the key ideas to memorize ideas e.g. formulae, is to write them in small charts and hang it in front of your bed.

-          See those formulae daily before going to bed and rising up.

-          Use different colours and markers.

-          Believe me, in my statistics paper, I was recalling the formulae in the exact colours which I wrote on charts.

5.       Exam practice

-          Practice mock exam – be your own examiner.

-          Take any past paper and solve it as a mock exam.

-          Solve past paper in the time allocated in exam. Think you are in exam hall and solve the paper accordingly.

-          Check your paper and give yourself marks.

-          See how are you performing in mock exam and be sincere to yourself.

6.       Time your paper

- Here is technique to time your paper: Take total marks and total time. Subtract 10 minutes from the total minutes. Divide the remainder with the marks and you get time per marks

- example: If there are 100 marks for a paper and you have 180 minutes. Subtract 10 minutes. This means you have 170 minutes altogether or 1.7 minutes per mark.

- make sure that you don’t spend more that 1.7 minutes per mark e.g. if a question is of 10 marks, maximum time you should spend should be 17 minutes.

- It happens that students try to focus on one particular question and if they are unable to solve it, they get confused. Don’t panic. Start next question. If student has time, he / she can take up that particular question later on.

- Try to allocate 10 minutes at the end of exam to review the paper thoroughly.

7.       Don’t annoy examiner

See for spelling errors and writing style. Writing needs to be legible and understandable. As a teacher to many students, I have noticed that spelling errors and the way students write, at times, is not understandable. Examiner has very less time to check paper. If your paper is examiner friendly, you are going to attract good marks.

22 Science-Backed Study Tips to Ace a Test

Remember Your Stuff

1. Study when sleepy.
Bedtime stories are for wimps. Instead of reading The Berenstein Bears, try studying for a few minutes right before hitting the hay. During sleep, the brain strengthens new memories, so there’s a good chance we’ll remember whatever we review right before dozing off . (Just try not to bring work into the actual bed, since it can make it harder to get a good night’s sleep.) And though bedtime is primo study time, it might also help to crack open the books after cracking open those eyes in the A.M.—in the morning, the brain still has lots of room to absorb new information.

2. Space it out.
A relatively new learning technique called “spaced repetition” involves breaking up information into small chunks and reviewing them consistently over a long period of time. So don’t try to memorize the entire periodic table in one sitting—instead, learn a few rows every day and review each lesson before starting anything new. 

3. Tell a tale.
Turning the details you need to remember into a crazy story helps make the information more meaningful. For example, remember the order of mathematic operations PEMDAS this way: Philip (P) wanted to eat (E) his friend Mary (M) but he died (D) from arsenic (AS) poisoning.

4. Move your butt.
Research suggests studying the same stuff in a different place every day makes us less likely to forgetthat information. That’s because, every time we move around (from the library to the coffee shop, or the coffee shop to the toilet seat), we force the brain to form new associations with the same material so it becomes a stronger memory.

5. Switch it up.
Don’t stick to one topic; instead, study a bunch of different material in one sitting. This technique helps prepare us to use the right strategy for finding the solution to a problem. For example, doing a bunch of division problems in a row means every time we approach a problem, we know it’ll require some division. But doing a series of problems that require multiplication, division, or addition means we have to stop and think about which strategy is best.

6. Put yourself to the test.
Quizzing ourselves may be one of the best ways to prepare for the real deal. And don’t worry about breaking a sweat while trying to remember the name of the 37th U.S. president (fyi, it’s Nixon): The harder it is to remember a piece of information in practice mode, the more likely we are to remember it in the future.

7. Write it out.
Put those third-grade penmanship lessons to good use. Research suggests we store information more securely when we write it out by hand than when we type it. Start by recopying the most important notes from the semester onto a new sheet of paper.

8. Make me wanna shout.
Reading information out loud means mentally storing it in two ways: seeing it and hearing it . We just can’t guarantee you won’t get thrown out of the library.

Stay Focused 

9. Come together (right now).
Group work doesn’t fly with everyone, but for those who benefit from a little team effort, a study group’sthe way to go. Pick a few studious pals and get together every few days to review the material. Put one person in charge of delegating tasks (snack duty, music selection) and keeping the group on target with its goals. 

10. Treat yo’ self! A healthy holiday cookie, a walk around the block, five minutes of tweet-time: whatever floats your boat. Knowing there’s a little reward waiting for us at the end of just a few pages makes it easier to beat procrastination while slogging through a semester’s worth of notes.

11. Drink up.
Sorry, not that kind of drink. Instead, hit the local coffee shop for something caffeine-filled; there’s lots of research suggesting coffee (and tea) keeps us alert, especially when nothing seems more exciting than the shiny gum wrapper on the library floor .

12. Take a time out.
Taking time to plan is one of the most important skills a student can have. Don’t just start the week with the vague goal of studying for a history exam—instead, break up that goal into smaller tasks. Pencil it in on the calendar like a regular class: For example, allot every day from 1 to 3 p.m. to review 50 years’ worth of info.

13. Gimme a break.
The KitKat guys said it, and so does science: Taking regular breaks can boost productivity and improve our ability to focus on a single task . For a real productivity boost, step away from the screen and break a sweat during a midday gym sesh.

14. Work it out.
Get stronger and brainier at the same time. Research has found just half an hour of aerobic exercise canimprove our brain-processing speed and other important cognitive abilities. Jog a few laps around the block and see if you don’t come back with a few more IQ points.

15. Daaaance to the music.
As anyone who’s ever relied on Rihanna to make it through an all-night study session knows, music can help beat stress. And while everyone’s got a different tune preference, classical music in particular has been shown to reduce anxiety and tension. So give those biology notes a soundtrack and feel at least some of the stress slide away.

16. Nix the ’net.
We’ve all been there, facing the siren call of a friend’s Facebook wall on the eve of a giant exam. If a computer’s necessary for studying, try an app (such as this one) that blocks the Internet for a short period of time and see how much more you get done.

17. Say om.
Just before staring at a piece of paper for three hours, stare at a wall for three minutes. Research suggests meditation can reduce anxiety and boost attention span. While those studies focus mostly on regular meditation, there’s no harm in trying it out for a few minutes to calm pre-test jitters .

18. Doze off.
When there’s a textbook full of equations to memorize, it can be tempting to stay up all night committing them to memory (or trying to). But all-nighters rarely lead to an automatic A—in fact, they’ve been linked to impaired cognitive performance and greater sensitivity to stress . In the days leading up to a big exam, aim to get those seven to nine hours a night so sleep deprivation doesn’t undo all the hard work you’ve put in. 

19. Own the Omegas.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in certain fish, nuts, and olive oil, are known for their brain-boosting potential. One study found that eating a combination of Omega-3-and Omega-6 fatty acids before an exam actually reduced test anxiety .

20. Feel free to inhale.
Dusty old library again… or spa day? Research has found that catching a whiff of essential oils (like rosemary or lavender) can help calm students down before a big exam . Skip the frantic last-minute review and try a few minutes of aromatherapy instead.

21. Practice your brain pose.
Hardcore yogis tend to have better cognitive abilities—especially attention span—than folks less familiar with Down Dog . A few daily sun salutations may be all it takes to keep centered during finals period.

22. Learn what works.
Some people are early birds; some are night owls; some prefer to study with a pal; others need complete and total silence. Experiment to find what’s most effective for you, and then stick with it! 

How to Improve Your Study Skills

Strong study skills are essential to succeed in school and in life. It isn't enough to just sit inside a classroom and hope to soak up the knowledge an instructor is presenting. You must put effort into learning, understanding, and applying the material. The earlier you can develop these skills, the greater your chance of academic success.

There is no magic bullet when it comes to developing good study habits. Not everyone learns the same way. So, not everyone will study the same way. Some people need absolute silence to review textbooks, lecture notes, and handouts to prepare for an exam. Others study better in a group bouncing ideas off one another. The study skills you develop will be based heavily on your learning style.

What's Your Learning Style?

Studying does not have to be a difficult process. The biggest mistake people make is developing a study plan that is different from the way they learn best. Not only are they trying to learn new information, but they are trying to adapt to a new way to learn that information too! Make it easy on yourself. Ask yourself a simple question: Are you a visual (see), auditory (hear), or kinesthetic (hands-on) learner?

What if you aren't sure what category of learning you fall into? Well, think back to all those classes you have taken throughout your academic career. There were forms of learning that came much easier to you than other forms. There's your learning style. Develop study skills that are tailored to your unique style of learning to achieve more productive results.

How to Successfully Study

It does not matter whether you are writing an English literature paper, reviewing algebra problems, or finishing up a chemistry lab report. There are a few key elements every successful student needs to include in a study plan.

• Time-Management - It is not the amount of time you spend studying that matters. It's what you can accomplish during that time. Spending 40 hours to prepare for an exam and only earning a C clearly was a waste of your time. Develop a study plan and learn how to manage your time effectively to maximize your results.
• Motivation - If you are not motivated and have a poor attitude, your study session will not be very productive. You have just one opportunity to pass that Geometry exam or ace the term paper. Pick a time of day where you can get motivated to prepare for tests, write essays, and solve problems.
• Concentration - The ability to concentrate is one of the more important study skills you need to develop. You won't always be able to study in absolute silence or be able to spend as much time as you would like on a particular project. Learn how to overcome distractions so you can focus all your attention on your studies.
• When in doubt, ask - If you aren't sure about a particular topic, don't be shy. Ask your instructor, family, or friends for help. It is important to address the problem area as soon as possible. Otherwise, you will end up having to spend even more time studying to catch up.

Studying for Standardized Exams

Standardized exams are not just a requirement for college anymore. A variety of professions now have their own standardized exams for licensing or certification purposes. The study skills you developed throughout school will be extremely beneficial as you prepare for these important exams. Hours and hours will be spent reviewing flashcards, reading study guides, and answering practice questions. Your skills will help you prepare, concentrate, and become motivated to earn the best scores possible.

The articles featured on this website are designed to help you improve your study skills. Use these articles to help you prepare more effectively for exams, learn strategies to make your study time more productive, and discover ways to make your classroom experience even richer.

On this site, you will find over 75 articles spanning over 23,000 words all geared to one goal: helping you study more effectively.

Math Exams

Taking math examinations can be made easier by keeping up with your homework. Do the problems as they are assigned. Math usually builds from one problem or chapter to the next. If you understand the first step, you can start to understand the next one. Be sure to pay attention in class. Not paying attention will lead to much more time spent studying.

Try to get into a study group with several other students. By talking about the problems, you can find out how well you know them. Have an idea of what to expect from your teacher. Either find old tests or talk to others who have had the professor. Time yourself while doing your homework to see if you are ready for a test situation.

When you get your test, look over the entire document. Get an idea of what is being asked so you can set priorities as to which problems need the most attention.

Make sure that you read the instructions. Not doing what is asked is one of the most common ways to miss test questions. If you write out your work on one paper then copy it on the test, recheck it to make sure that you have written out each step correctly. Make sure that you do not skip a step in solving a problem. When using a calculator, be sure to go back and redo the numbers. You can easily punch in a wrong number, but the odds that you will do it twice are not as high.

When taking your test, if you get to a problem or an area of problems that give you trouble, go on to the next section. You can always go back to the problem after you have completed the others. Never turn in a test paper without going over your work again.

Algebraic Problems

Algebraic problems become easy to solve if a simple system is used and followed. In order to solve the algebraic problem, you need to process functions in a certain order to arrive at the right answer. The functions that need to be in order are addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

A simple acronym has been developed to help students solve algebraic problems. The acronym is as follows: P.E.M.D.A.S. This stands for the following: Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, and Subtraction.

The first function to perform in an algebraic problem is to solve the operations listed in the parenthesis. Next settle the exponents. The next process is multiplication and division. You need to work from left to right. The last function is addition and subtraction. You need to work from left to right with these functions also. Always be sure to work from left to right.

Remember that you are working to get one answer on one side of an equal sign. All of the functions work toward this point. Derivative word problems are easily solved by going through the text and extracting the relevant numeric information. The purpose of finding the derivative in a word problem is so you will know the slope of the line on a graph, the point of inflection or the rate of change of the graph. Isolate out the equation in a word problem to get the derivative.

Revising and Proofreading Assignments

Before turning in your writing assignments, you always need to revise and to proofread. These two processes are separate. Revising focuses on content while proofreading focuses on mechanics.

Do not revise immediately after writing the paper. Wait. It is a good idea to read the paper out loud. Read it line by line to see how it flows. Check to make certain the title and subheadings accurately reflect the content. Make sure you get the reader's interest in the first paragraph. Check each succeeding paragraph to be sure they build on each other. Read the conclusion and see if the paper supports it.

Check your sentences and vocabulary to make sure they stay consistent throughout the paper. Make sure that you do not use slang terms or popular sayings in a formal assignment.

When it is time to proofread, it is helpful to get somebody else to read your paper. You know what you wanted to say so often you will see what you meant to say, not what is actually on the paper. Another set of eyes may spot grammar errors as well as inconsistencies in logic or fact.

Be aware of errors that you may make. Go ahead and use the spell and grammar check on the computer. Don't forget that you can mistype a word and that word will still pass the spell checker. For instance, you can type "do" for "due" and change the meaning of the sentence, but the spell check won't catch it because the word is spelled correctly. It may help to read out loud when proofreading. When doing so, read quite slowly so your mind will be able to focus on each word.

Important factor of Study

Goal Setting

Goal setting is important for academic success. To successfully set and plan a goal, you must state the goal as an outcome, specify actions and measurement. The clearer and more specific the goal, the more likely your chances of achieving it.

To do well in the classroom, goals must be set in many areas. It may helpful to divide your goals into segments- daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly (or semester), annually. Dividing goals this way lets you know that you have overall goals and shorter, more easily met goals. It gives you an opportunity to accomplish some goals while keeping the larger picture in mind. Remember that if you set a goal in one segment of your life, it may affect another segment. In other words, if you decide to study three hours a day, you may have to visit with your friends one hour less. If you decide to change jobs, it may affect your times to study. Keep the big picture in mind when setting goals.

Many people label goals as long, medium or short range. Decide what goals fit which category then look at the time you have available. Set priorities with the goals. Decide which are the most important. Make sure that the time you give each goal meets the priority of the goal. Don't give a few minutes to the highest prioritized goal and several hours to one of the low priority goals. If necessary, change your time commitments to meet the goals.

Sometimes, you have to go back and change your goals. Many unforeseen circumstances can contribute to this change. Your class or work schedule can change. A family member or you can have an illness. You may not have to change the goal, simply postpone it.

Setting goals give you a road map as to where you want to be. It is important to remain flexible with long range goals in case your circumstances change. Always congratulate yourself when you achieve a goal and mark it off your list. You can look back to that achievement while starting to work on the next goal.