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exam study tips
Regardless of whether you are sitting examinations with us, here at arc exams or elsewhere, we very much want you to achieve the grade(s) you are striving for. Be they to access Further/Higher Education, enhancing employment prospects or simply the joy of studying and acquiring more knowledge, we all want to attain the highest grade we possibly can.
To help you prepare for your exams we have come up with some useful study tips, simple tried and tested techniques. Whilst many of them may appear obvious, itโs easy to overlook those that can significantly impact on study i.e. getting enough sleep, ensuring you incorporate โdowntimeโ to recharge mentally etc.
Make a study schedule
Plan ahead and allocate sufficient time to study each topic, ensuring you have enough time to revise before the exam. Set realistic goals for each study session.
Use active learning techniques
Instead of just reading through notes or textbooks, actively engage with the material by using techniques like summarising, making flashcards, or creating mind maps.
Practice past exam papers
One of the best ways to prepare for an exam is to practice answering questions from past exam papers. This will give you a good idea of the types of questions that may be asked and help you identify areas where you need to improve. All Awarding Organisations have past exam papers, for all subjects, on their websites. Access them easily using the links provided in our Fees List by clicking on the required Specification Code.
Get enough sleep
Sleep is essential for memory consolidation and retention. Make sure you get enough sleep in the days leading up to each exam
Stay organised
Keep your notes and study materials organised, and, where possible, create a study space that is conducive to learning.
Take breaks
It is so important to take regular breaks during your study sessions to avoid burnout and maintain focus. Aim for a 10-minute break every hour or so.
Stay motivated
Find ways to stay motivated, such as rewarding yourself after each study session or setting a goal for your exam score.
...And finally
remember that we all have our own learning style and what works for one person may not necessarily work for another. Experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you.