Andrew Holmes - Pass Your Exams: Study Skills for Success

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Short of outright cheating (risky), or bribing the examiner (expensive), there is no way of ensuring 100% guaranteed success in an exam. What this book does is offer brilliant ideas for putting in your best performance on the day, when it counts. That means making the most of your biggest asset you. What it doesnt mean is doing your job for you. You alone are in the hot seat on the big day. Nobody else not us, not the author, not your mum is responsible for the outcome. We cant sit your exam for you, and no book is going to be a substitute for knowing your stuff. Weve given you weapons-grade advice for passing whatever tests come your way but only the snake oil salesmen will guarantee success. So the best of luck, we have our fingers crossed for you, but dont blame us if it doesnt work out this time.

Copyright The Infinite Ideas Company Limited, 2005

The right of Andrew Holmes to be identified as the author of this book has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

First published in 2005 by
The Infinite Ideas Company Limited
36 St Giles
Oxford
OX1 3LD
United Kingdom
www.infideas.com

All rights reserved. Except for the quotation of small passages for the purposes of criticism or review, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except under the terms of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 or under the terms of a licence issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd, 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 4LP, UK, without the permission in writing of the publisher. Requests to the publisher should be addressed to the Permissions Department, Infinite Ideas Limited, 36 St Giles, Oxford OX1 3LD, UK, or faxed to +44 (0)1865 514777.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 1-904902-29-4

Brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Designed and typeset by Baseline Arts Ltd, Oxford
Printed and bound by TJ International, Cornwall

Brilliant ideas

If youre coming back into the study and exam thing after a few years off (for good behaviour), its a good idea to refresh yourself with what works and what doesnt.

The syllabus serves an important purpose: it tells us what we are meant to learn. Of course, it also tells the teachers what they should be teaching us, which helps.

You cant escape the need to study, whether its for your entry level qualifications, degree, postgraduate or professional exams. To master the art requires discipline and persistence and attitude.

Where do you like to get down to it? Do you prefer a soundtrack or would you rather do it in silence? How you create your perfect study environment is up to you.

When it comes to study, maintaining your motivation is difficult at the best of times. So how do you do it? One thing that seems to work for a lot of people is the use of a study charter.

You have spent up to three years learning your subject, weeks or months revising and a few hours regurgitating all that knowledge in the exam hall. Thats exhausting stuff. So how do you feel about those who are going to mark it? Possibly a little apprehensive.

Some one million books are published every year. Now thats a lot. This means theres plenty of material floating around out there that you can draw on, and what better place to find it all than in a library.

These days there are plenty of study aids available to make your life easier when it comes to study. So why not dig deep and fork out some cash on a few?

Ah, the joy of group projects. Love them or hate them, they are there to test your team working skills and to get your creative juices flowing.

How on earth do you manage all the information, facts, figures, case studies and examples youre expected to remember? Where do you start?

If studying and exams were a game of snakes and ladders, wouldnt you want to have more ladders than snakes? In the world of study, exam briefings are there to be climbed whereas bunking off can only bring you down.

Managing time is a skill which every student has to master. From developing a study timetable to making sure you spend your time effectively in the exam hall, every second counts.

If youre struggling with the amount of revision youve got to do, why not try something completely different? Its time to cut to the chase and get your binoculars out. Yes, its time to go question spotting.

Once youve covered the whole syllabus, you should have done everything you need to be successful, right? Well, yes and no. Certainly, you ought to pass, but to pass well will require a little bit more.

Struggling with what those exam questions are really looking for is one of the perennial problems of the student. But how to sort the inquisitorial wheat from the questionable chaff?

One of the hardest jobs when it comes to studying is distilling your copious notes into a manageable number of words, pictures, key words and bullet points that you can remember. One of the best methods is mind mapping.

When do you feel most productive? Do you deliver the goods when the milkman is delivering his, or do you tuck in when most sane people are tucked up in bed? Whatever your natural preference, thats the time to study.

Your brains ability to remember information is phenomenal and if you train it well you can use single words or phrases to recall all your notes as though they were right in front of you.

If there is one thing you need in spades when it comes to studying and taking exams, its positive thinking.

Schools which are specifically designed to cram students minds full of material are all the rage in the Far East. They have an upside and a downside, and they are coming to a city near you soon.

No matter how good the state system, many people believe that additional support is required if you want to reach for the sky. Tutors are in high demand at every level, from concerned parents to go-getting students.

It can be very lonely studying all by yourself with only the radio for company. Alternatively, group study can be very productive and a lot of fun.

Most people tend to be somewhat passive when it comes to their study, which makes the whole process boring and a turn off. To keep your study both interesting and alive it is a good idea to use active revision techniques.

Focus, focus, focus. Some folks believe that the only way to pass exams and complete their studies is to work, work, work. No time for rest, and certainly no time for play. Is this a good strategy? Psychologists dont think so.

The internet provides a fantastic resource for anyone wishing to augment their study, so its no wonder there are so many opportunities to both study and gain qualifications online.

Feeling prepared for the exam is a good feeling, but if you want to be even more prepared, one of the best ways is to build some model answers. These can be particularly helpful in exams where essays are required.

Youd never believe that a pyramid had much to do with studying, would you? But it does. Just look at its shape.

What do you prefer: a well-formulated plan mapped out well in advance, or waiting until a few days before the exam before knuckling down to study? Many people prefer the latter, but its risky, and not so smart if you want to do well.

Your physiology affects your brain along with the rest of your body. If you feel down, your brain doesnt function at its full capacity; conversely, if you feel great, your brain can tackle seemingly impossible tasks.