How to Prepare For Any Big Test/Exam

When it comes to study and revision, everybody has a learning method that works best for them. I'm a visual learner which means I find it easiest to process things through charts and diagrams however you may prefer learning through listening or reading. Even though we all absorb information differently, there are still certain study habits that will benefit everyone no matter what their learning style is. My end of year exams are coming up so I know that compiling this list of tips and tricks will be a good way for me to mentally prepare myself for the upcoming months. If you know you'll be undergoing a test anytime soon, hopefully you'll be able to take something useful away from this post!

Start With The Tricky Stuff

Always study the harder content first. This should get top priority over the things you find least challenging. Make sure you've wrapped your head around the trickier stuff before reviewing the easier topics. Most of the time, the more complicated it is, the more points it offers so even if you aren't perfect at the basics, you'll still have a very good chance at achieving a high grade. 

Try a Practice Test

Find a past paper or test and try to complete it under exam conditions. To make it as official as possible, set yourself the same amount of time you'll have for the actual thing and make sure all devices are turned off or switched to silent. Aim to have just your test paper and stationery in front of you. After all, this is all you'll have on the day. Once you've completed your practice test, you should have a better idea of the exam format and how you're going to manage your time when it comes to the real thing. 

Keep Your Notes Tidy

Make sure you have notes that are both legible and easy to follow. There's no point in having a book of class notes if you can't read a single word of it. If you're really struggling to make sense of what you've written, ask to borrow a friend's book and review the content by writing all the information out again. After you've finished, you'll have both tidier notes and a better understanding of the things you re-wrote.  

Teach Others

When you explain something to a fellow classmate, not only are you helping a person in need but you're also strengthening your understanding of the information being taught. Sharing your knowledge and strategies is a great way to see how well you get the content. By teaching someone, you're testing your ability to process information. If you can teach it effectively, then you can execute it with ease however if you struggle to phrase your ideas then you may not have a complete grasp of the concept just yet. 

Communicate With Your Teachers

If you're ever unsure about anything exam-related, talk to you teachers. They know the content and test material better than anyone. They'll also be able to point you in the right direction in terms of what to study and how to best prepare for the questions. Your teachers are there to help you so so don't be afraid to contact them if you're feeling a bit stuck. 

Thanks for reading! What's the best piece of study advice you've ever been given? Let me know down below!