Top Tips for Acing Your School Exams – All Information

Exams are a big part of school life. It may seem as though teachers are constantly on the hunt to find ways to make a student’s life more difficult, but rest assured, this is most definitely not the case. As unpleasant as a test can be to prepare for and take, they are the best way to show your teacher where you stand in your academic journey, as well as help you learn. Research has shown that students who are tested on a regular basis, are able to retain information longer than those who haven’t. It is also one of the most effective ways of reducing test anxiety! 

Making the most of in class learning hours, understanding your learning style and having a balanced lifestyle are some of the few ways you can help yourself prepare. Here are some top tips on acing your school exams, as advised by this sixth form college in Hertfordshire. 

Make the most out of your learning hours at school

If you are wanting to get your head down and take exam preparation seriously, the first thing to do is to make sure you attend every single lesson. The content taught in lessons may seem like common knowledge at times, but missing one day alone could put a gap in your revision later on. Be sure to pay close attention to what is being taught and take down notes.

The goal at this stage is to understand what is being taught, so that later on your notes don’t confuse you. If something doesn’t make sense, raise your hand and ask for assistance. There is nothing wrong with not understanding it the first time, that’s what teachers are there for, to help! 

Understand your learning style

This is something that parents and teachers should help you figure out as early as possible. If you still haven’t figured out your learning style yet, that’s okay. Here is a quick rundown. There are four types of learning styles: visual, auditory, kinaesthetic and reading. Visual learners prefer the use of maps and images to help them retain information.

Auditory learners best understand when they listen to new content using podcasts or group discussions. Kinaesthetic learners prefer hands on learning experiences such as completing lab experiments. Finally, those who have a strong preference for reading as well as writing, learn best through words. These students are avid note takers. By knowing what your learning style is, you can use it to implement better practices that help you study and retain knowledge better. 

Stay organised

In order to keep on top of heavy loads of work, you need to make sure you have scheduled them all in correctly. At first, it may seem overwhelming seeing the pages of content you need to study before your exams. However, creating a realistic schedule that incorporates when you will attend lessons, go to study sessions, complete homework and have time off, will help decrease some of the stress.

Keep a planner on hand to mark down dates, times and deadlines so that you don’t forget anything important. If you need extra help, communicate with your teachers and ask them if they can provide further support. 

Focus on your lifestyle

In order to ace school exams, you need to work hard. However, it doesn’t mean to forget about your health. You need to take regular breaks to give your brain and body the chance to rest and refresh. Through long study sessions, take small breaks as they are more effective. Ensure your meals are nutritious and aren’t full of high sugars and carbs that only give you short bursts of energy.

Sleep makes a big difference too. Maintain a good schedule throughout your revision period as this will make sure you are alert every single day. Best of luck!