How I Study for Exams

It's that time of the year again! No, not Christmas time, not yet. Exam Time.

I can't wait for my exams to be over, and to finally be on summer holidays - then it's almost Christmas time! Tomorrow I have my final exam, for music, and today I want to share with you how I study for exams.

14 (or more) days before the exam
1. Gather all the information you have, class notes, sheets, typed notes, powerpoints, activities. Everything.

2. Compile it all. I use Microsoft OneNote to compile all my notes into one document, I scan worksheets, "insert" powerpoints and copy + past class notes. If I don't take my notes on my laptop I will type them again, or scan them in.

10-12 days before the exam
Once you've gathered all your notes.
1. Find a copy of my course outline, and find out if the exam is on the whole semester or only a small section.

2. Write out all the things you were supposed to have covered in the semester (or the headings for what your exam is on)

8-10 days before the exam
1. Start using the notes you compiled to fill in each heading, try and keep it only to the things you have done with your teacher or under their direction so that you don't memorise a whole lot of useless stuff.

7 days before the exam
1. Print out the notes you've made and keep them somewhere safe.

2. using a set of index cards, re-write the notes onto the cards.

3. Revise the cards as often as you can.

4 days before the exam

1. Complete any revision sheets you have been given. 

2. Using your index cards write out a set of questions + answers, copy these onto more index cards so the answer is on the back. 

3. Revise using these cards and the original ones you've made. 

2-3 days before the exam

1. Ask someone to quiz you, and work on what you get wrong. 

Day of the Exam

Go over your note cards before the exam. 

This is an ideal schedule for me, but realistically it often does not work that way. For example, my music exam tomorrow I only got a chance to start studying for on Saturday. But I compress this schedule so that I still get through all the steps. 

Good luck with any of your exams 

xxxPoppy