What to do before/between exams?

[dekoyl]

What should one do in the days leading up to exam 1 (say 2 days) and on the weekend prior to exam 2?
Do you keep doing past exams? Or just review your mistakes and relax?

I think I've began to get into the relax phase. I've done one Exam 1 from Friday until now, Sunday night.

[Toothpaste]

Everyone's different but here's how I roll(ed).

Before-
Read notes: light reading  -  not cramming new information into my brain that my foramen magnum moves to the back of my skull. I like being bipedal tyvm.
Get adequete sleep everyday
I'd personally look over any mistakes I've made in practice exams, just to make sure I've got them covered.
(CALCULATOR BATTERIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <emphasis>)

Right before-
Wear suitable clothing for examinations  -  comfortable, don't wear stuff that makes you paranoid: OHSHITISMYBUTTSHOWINGTHROUGHTHISFISHNETSKIRT
Drink fluids, go to the toilet and empty the waste out, make sure you won't bust your bladder in the exam
Don't arrive late else you'll be really anxious/regretful

Oh and get a massage. LOL, stress DOWN

methods is fun, enjoy it

[transgression]

don't change your routine!

[kurrymuncher]

This is from a revision book i have:

1. be physically and mentally prepared ie. make sure you have adequate sleep, relaxtion, exercise and a blanced diet/
Know when to give yourself a break and when to stop. To be able to maintain your efficiency, you must take regular breaks in your study routine

2.Develop a positive attitude about your abilities- your marks will reflect the amount of work and preparation you put in to enhance your potential.

3.Be methodical in your preparation. Plan a revision timetable, Go through your chapter summaries, complete exercises on each topic and other topics that link to that topic.

4.Do trial exams. These will show you the questions to expect and how to write your answers. Make the trial exam as realistic as you can( conditions, time, materials etc). Dont overdo it, this can cause burnout.

5.Use trial papers, SACs and comments from your teacher to pinpoint weaknesses, and to improve these areas.

[Toothpaste]

don't change your routine!

Unless it involves heavy drinking 4AM in the morning!

[danieltennis]

This is from a revision book i have:

1. be physically and mentally prepared ie. make sure you have adequate sleep, relaxtion, exercise and a blanced diet/
Know when to give yourself a break and when to stop. To be able to maintain your efficiency, you must take regular breaks in your study routine

2.Develop a positive attitude about your abilities- your marks will reflect the amount of work and preparation you put in to enhance your potential.

3.Be methodical in your preparation. Plan a revision timetable, Go through your chapter summaries, complete exercises on each topic and other topics that link to that topic.

4.Do trial exams. These will show you the questions to expect and how to write your answers. Make the trial exam as realistic as you can( conditions, time, materials etc). Dont overdo it, this can cause burnout.

5.Use trial papers, SACs and comments from your teacher to pinpoint weaknesses, and to improve these areas.

A+ Methods Notes

[kurrymuncher]

This is from a revision book i have:

1. be physically and mentally prepared ie. make sure you have adequate sleep, relaxtion, exercise and a blanced diet/
Know when to give yourself a break and when to stop. To be able to maintain your efficiency, you must take regular breaks in your study routine

2.Develop a positive attitude about your abilities- your marks will reflect the amount of work and preparation you put in to enhance your potential.

3.Be methodical in your preparation. Plan a revision timetable, Go through your chapter summaries, complete exercises on each topic and other topics that link to that topic.

4.Do trial exams. These will show you the questions to expect and how to write your answers. Make the trial exam as realistic as you can( conditions, time, materials etc). Dont overdo it, this can cause burnout.

5.Use trial papers, SACs and comments from your teacher to pinpoint weaknesses, and to improve these areas.

A+ Methods Notes

Yeah, thats the one. Its really helpful

[Glockmeister]

The weeks and days before the exams

For Exam 1

• Buying stationery that you will need for the exams and which you do not have. (You should be bringing two of everything you intend to go to the exam with e.g. two pens, two pencils/one pacer with spare lead)
• Going though your notes and maybe do some questions on topics which you are still not 100% ready for.
• Make sure you are familar with the formula sheet and what is on it... after all you would need to remember what's not on it.
• Make sure you are familar with how many questions will be on the exam.

For Exam 2
Everything from exam 1 plus

• Buying batteries for your calculator (very important)
• Organising what you will use for your notes that you can take into the exam

The Day Before the Exam

• DO NOT do any work. If you get a shit score in that trial you are going to do, it's not going to be good for the ego, and you need your ego to be in tiptop condition
• Organise everything. But not just I know where everything is, but have it in one pile on a table.
• Organise a drink bottle (Remember VCAA examination rules stipulate that any labels must be remove so make sure you do so)
• Have a good night's rest. Teenages require 10 hours of sleep on average, so make sure you try to get that.
• If you find yourself the subject of exam insomina, try thinking about something pleasurable. This may include anything from chath's happytime moments to thinking about getting into that career you wanted. Anything you want really.
• Remember: You are only going to do as well as your ability allows you to. Don't try comparing your mathematical brillance with Mao, dcc, coblin
   et. al if you know you are not of their level (if you are then fire away). Especially when you get into the exam hall.
  

On the day

• Those breakfast cereal ads weren't lying about needing breakfast. Make sure you have some
• It is ill-adviced to have coffee today as the caffine boost may wear off mid-exam leaving you a tired wreak. If you normally have coffee, try eschewing it today.
• When you get to the exam room, relax a bit but not too much. Remember you have been wanting this day to come and go for 12 months now
• If you are in Year 12, then you should have already graduated. This means you do not need to wear your school uniform. However, the exam room is not a fashion show. Wear comfortable clothes and avoid materials that will make you either itch or warm up.
  
• If you are in Year 11, chances are you will have to wear uniform. Bad Luck.

EDIT: God, my grammar is atrocious at times.

[dekoyl]

Thanks. Great tips so far. I hope others can find these fine points useful too.

This question, and a serious one, applies for other exams too but...
What if you need to do POOP? Like nervous poop? I understand some people may have upset stomachs when they get nervous/anxious.

My teacher said that it's just bad luck and every second you spend in the toilet is every second of the exam time wasted.

[Toothpaste]

Thanks. Great tips so far. I hope others can find these fine points useful too.

This question, and a serious one, applies for other exams too but...
What if you need to do POOP? Like nervous poop? I understand some people may have upset stomachs when they get nervous/anxious.

My teacher said that it's just bad luck and every second you spend in the toilet is every second wasted.

Nappy, just in case.

Bad luck if you do though

[Mao]

The weeks and days before the exams

For Exam 1

• Buying stationery that you will need for the exams and which you do not have. (You should be bringing two of everything you intend to go to the exam with e.g. two pens, two pencils/one pacer with spare lead)
• Going though your notes and maybe do some questions on topics which you are still not 100% ready for.
• Make sure you are familar with the formula sheet and what is on it... after all you would need to remember what's not on it.
• Make sure you are familar with how many questions will be on the exam.

For Exam 2
Everything from exam 1 plus

• Buying batteries for your calculator (very important)
• Organising what you will use for your notes that you can take into the exam

The Day Before the Exam

• DO NOT do any work. If you get a shit score in that trial you are going to do, it's not going to be good for the ego, and you need your ego to be in tiptop condition
• Organise everything. But not just I know everything is, but have it in one pile on a table.
• Organise a drink bottle (Remember VCAA examination rules stipulate that any labels must be remove so make sure you do so)
• Have a good night's rest. Teenages require 10 hours of sleep on average, so make sure you try to get that.
• If you find yourself the subject of exam insomina, try thinking about something pleasurable. This may include anything from chath's happytime moments to thinking about getting into that career you wanted. Anything you want really.
• Remember: You are only going to do as well as your ability allows you do. Don't try comparing your mathematical brillance with Mao, dcc, coblin
   et. al if you know you are not of their level (if you are then fire away). Especially if you get into the exam hall.
  

great advice there, kudos.

though I'd like to point out:
"try thinking about something pleasurable. This may include anything from chath's happytime moments to thinking about getting into that career you wanted."
the intersection of those two sets may or may not be a money spinner.


Try to stay cheerful, be a twat and stay good humoured. It's relaxing

[shinny]

Try to stay cheerful, be a twat and stay good humoured. It's relaxing

i.e. Spamming the VN forums the entire day :] (...or /b/)

[Glockmeister]

Thanks. Great tips so far. I hope others can find these fine points useful too.

This question, and a serious one, applies for other exams too but...
What if you need to do POOP? Like nervous poop? I understand some people may have upset stomachs when they get nervous/anxious.

My teacher said that it's just bad luck and every second you spend in the toilet is every second of the exam time wasted.

If you have to go then go. There's no way you can concentrate on differentiating an equation if your body is telling you to run to the toilet or it will shit right here in the exam room for everybody to see (and presumely smell, which reminds me of an incident at my primary school involving me). But we are here to avoid that right.

Make sure you go to the toilet before you go the exam room.

[Glockmeister]

the intersection of those two sets may or may not be a money spinner.

Depends on the desired industry I suppose. I mean, if you are in the business of selling yourself then doing it could be a major money spinner (shows experience you see).

[Flaming_Arrow]

The weeks and days before the exams

For Exam 1

• Buying stationery that you will need for the exams and which you do not have. (You should be bringing two of everything you intend to go to the exam with e.g. two pens, two pencils/one pacer with spare lead)
• Going though your notes and maybe do some questions on topics which you are still not 100% ready for.
• Make sure you are familar with the formula sheet and what is on it... after all you would need to remember what's not on it.
• Make sure you are familar with how many questions will be on the exam.

For Exam 2
Everything from exam 1 plus

• Buying batteries for your calculator (very important)
• Organising what you will use for your notes that you can take into the exam

The Day Before the Exam

• DO NOT do any work. If you get a shit score in that trial you are going to do, it's not going to be good for the ego, and you need your ego to be in tiptop condition
• Organise everything. But not just I know everything is, but have it in one pile on a table.
• Organise a drink bottle (Remember VCAA examination rules stipulate that any labels must be remove so make sure you do so)
• Have a good night's rest. Teenages require 10 hours of sleep on average, so make sure you try to get that.
• If you find yourself the subject of exam insomina, try thinking about something pleasurable. This may include anything from chath's happytime moments to thinking about getting into that career you wanted. Anything you want really.
• Remember: You are only going to do as well as your ability allows you do. Don't try comparing your mathematical brillance with Mao, dcc, coblin
   et. al if you know you are not of their level (if you are then fire away). Especially if you get into the exam hall.
  

great advice there, kudos.

though I'd like to point out:
"try thinking about something pleasurable. This may include anything from chath's happytime moments to thinking about getting into that career you wanted."
the intersection of those two sets may or may not be a money spinner.


Try to stay cheerful, be a twat and stay good humoured. It's relaxing

Ooo Happytime