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Click on this to get an A* (not clickbait!)

Well, I seem to have gained your attention. Yes, I know what you’re thinking: this is going to be another boring “exam success 101” article like every other year. But wait, before you unclick the clickbait, I’m here to give you a different take on doing well in exams, and believe me, I speak from experience.

How do I do well?

At the end of the day, what you write on that exam is what you write, which is what determines your grade. Revising for 6 months doesn’t mean you’ll do well if you can’t answer the question. Yes, revision is important, but there is no point highlighting the whole book and then forgetting everything in the exam and writing, well, nonsense! Remember, you aren’t being examined on highlighting (if only!). Furthermore, I know that you feel as if the teachers give the same advice year after year but you MUST take it to heart; talking to them is like speaking to the exam itself – they know exactly what topics you will be asked about.

Did someone say revision?

Ah, yes, revision; possibly the most misunderstood concept on this planet after politics.

Revision is looking back over previous work and remembering topics, but the key to remembrance is to never forget. Consequently, to do well, you must:

 

  1. Revise frequently. Don’t pull an “all-nighter” the day before the exam and write about how you forgot to sleep in that Literature essay!

 

  1. Start studying early (although it’ll be a tad bit late to say this once the article’s published).   

 

  1. Get organised, keep your old sheets and arrange them by topic – it helps.

 

  1. Talk to your teachers, ask them what you must study and about any areas you aren’t sure of.

 

  1. Keep track of your revision; make a checklist.

 

  1. Organise a study group if you have to. This works for some people.
  1. Remember, we aren’t robots…Don’t sacrifice sleep for studying otherwise you’ll perform badly.

 

  1. Get finished with content at least a week before the exam, and then…

 

  1. PAST PAPERS (I saved the best for last).

 

Reflecting

To be frank, it’s December; IGCSEs, A-levels and even SATS are sat in May or June. These exams are very important and will require your utmost dedication but you can only do your best. If you know you have worked hard (and smart) and that you have done what you can then you have, by definition, exceeded. Midyear exams are for reflection, they aren’t going to ruin your life. So whatever happens, learn from it. If you get those A*s then you know you’re on the right track.

In conclusion:

The next couple of weeks are going to be hard work. You will have to study. You will have to spend time. But you will be rewarded if you do (just remember to think in the exam). And, hey, you have the Winter break to look forward to – no exams in January! To all those“revisers”, good luck from the Print!

 

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