Introduction
Physical preparation
Deciding what questions to answer

Most students experience some level of

take adequate exercise and relaxation
anxiety before and during exams. So you are not

build regular breaks into your timetable
alone in this regard! A certain amount of anxiety

get enough sleep
is a good thing in that it pushes us to perform to

eat well
our optimum potential. Anxiety is a normal

go to exam centre in good time
instructions - how long does it last etc

begins to
affect exam performance it has become a

Academic preparation

study

plan a revision timetable

plan clear and specific study tasks
feeling under-prepared

set a start and stop time for each task

thinking about past negative experiences

review material on an on-going basis
or the consequences of failure

practice answering past exam questions
negative self-talk e.g.

talk to the Student Counsellor for more
“ I can’t do this even if I try”
help and advice
“ They are all smarter, more intelligent”
“ I know I’m going to fail”
How to reduce exam anxiety?
Emotional preparation

use positive self-talk e.g.
“I can succeed if I really try”
“I can pass if I plan a revision timetable”

remember exams measure what you have
learned not your worth as a person

learn some relaxation techniques

avoid comparing yourself to others

know that you know what you know!


Answering the questions


what time is allocated for each paper?

how many questions must you answer?

how many questions do you choose
from?

have you to answer questions from
particular sections?

are there any compulsory questions?
plan each answer and list relevant
points you want to include

when writing each answer
- make sure what you write is relevant
by reminding yourself of the question
- write legibly
Knowing your exams in advance

what is the question asking? Look for
key words and underline them
You can also prepare well by:
how many papers do you have to sit?
start with your “best” question and
work down to the least liked one
The Actual Exam

make an overall plan to determine the
order you will answer questions
get an overview of what you need to


calculate how much time you will have
to answer each question
problem.
What causes exam anxiety?
if you have a choice, decide what
questions to answer
response to being alert and preparing for a
challenge. However, when anxiety
read through the exam paper checking
- write in simple short sentences
- don’t run over the time allotted to
each question

spend some time at the end of the exam
checking your answers
Quick
relaxation technique
If you find yourself feeling tense and worried
about the exams and want to relax, try the
following:
1.
Say aloud to yourself “STOP”
(you are demanding your mind to stop
worrying)
2.
Take a deep breath and hold it while slowly
counting to 5; then exhale counting to 5.
3.
As you do so relax your shoulders and
hands
4.
Continue deep breathing and as you do so,
relax your forehead and jaw and any other
muscles that feel tense
5.
Stay quiet for a few moments, then go on
Some Reading
There are many books on Exam Preparation
in the College Library, for example :
How to pass exams
- Dominic O Brien
Getting into exam survival
- John Cadogan
Exam
Preparation
How to pass exams
- Fred Orr
Study! A guide to effective study, revision
and examination techniques
- Robert Barrass
How to pass exams
- W.G. Leader
with what you were doing, hopefully
feeling more calm
Where to find help
A video is also available
- Getting into exam survival
(enquire at library desk)
Student Counselling Service
Room 10C. Left after the yellow stairs on the
ground floor and left again.
Tel: ext 2635 (from outside 4042635).
E-mail: [email protected]
Student Counselling Service
Student Services
Institute of Technology, Tallaght