Examinations

• University of Leeds past examination papers
  Looking at old exam papers from your course can give you some indication of what to expect from your exams. However, courses do change, so it's worth asking whether the format or content is the same.
  
• The Open University: What is revision?
  Advice on various stages of revision, including gathering course materials, finding out about the exam paper, and deciding what to revise.

Making a realistic timetable for your revision is key to exam success. You may want to study as much as possible in the weeks leading up to your exams, but if you try cramming too many study hours in the day you will struggle to maintain focus.

• Planning your revision timetable (video)
  A demonstration of how to create your timetable, taking into account the time you have left and your subject strengths and weaknesses
  
• Blank revision timetable (DOC)
  Use this template to plan your revision
  
• Skills@Library time management page
  Detailed information and advice on various aspects of time management.

Learning styles

Before you decide on your revision strategies, it may be useful to find out what type of learner you are.

1. Visual learners learn through seeing, and may find drawing pictures, diagrams and mind maps helpful for revision.
   
2. Auditory learners learn best through hearing, and may find it useful to engage in discussion with other students, or reading notes aloud.
   
3. Kinesthetic learners learn best by doing, and should use concrete examples and case studies as an aid to revision.

If you're not sure which of these best suits you, take this free VAK learning styles test to find out.

Revision techniques

• Skills@Library note taking page
  Detailed advice and activities on note taking strategies
• Visual techniques for revision
  Including a demo of creating mind maps for your revision
• Memory aids (PDF)
  Flash cards and mnemonics can be useful for remembering facts, and are easy to create
• Rehearsing exam answers
  Advice from the Open University on doing a mock exam as part of your preparation.

Improving your memory

• Tips and tricks to improve your memory
  Tips from the BBC on techniques you can use to improve your memory.

Most people feel nervous before an exam, but it's important not to let anxiety have a negative impact on your performance. This includes avoiding stress during your exam preparation.

• Managing exam anxiety and panic
  Strategies for before and during the exam to help you to manage your anxiety
• Coping with exam stress
  Leeds University Union's advice on how to avoid stress before and during your exams.

The Student Counselling Centre offers numerous services, including workshops and individual and group counselling sessions, to help students at the University of Leeds deal with stress.

They also have online help, including MP3 downloads on various relaxation techniques (see bottom of the page).

Practical considerations

Do you know where the examination room is? Will you be able to take your bags in? What format will the questions take? These are all practical things that you need to know in advance.

• Exam preparation checklist (PDF)
  Many of the items on this list may seem obvious, but ensuring that you've taken care of everything in advance will allow you to arrive at the exam calm and confident.

In the exam

• Skills@Library interpreting the task page
  Detailed advice and activities to help you to ensure that you fully understand what you are being asked to do
• Answering exam questions
  Advice covering timing, planning your answer, selecting questions, and exam formats such as MCQs and open book exams
• Sample exam answer

HAMILTON, D. 1999. Passing exams: a guide for maximum success and minimum stress. London: Cassell.

This is easy to read, with a lot of background information. It isheavy on text so you probably need to read a whole chapter at a time to benefit. It has some practical advice, with an especially good section on deciding what to revise. It also has a good section on relaxation techniques.

EVANS, M. 2004. How to pass exams every time. Oxford: How To Books.

A brief guide and an easy read, this book could be a useful introduction to the subject. It has checklists at the end of each chapter and highlight boxes emphasising key points. The chapter on exam techniques on the day is particularly useful.