Practice exams and how to do them

[Vermilliona]

So I'm sitting here with a neat pile of practice exams, and I'm not entirely sure how to approach working through them.
Some VCE motivational speaker people have said to do them open-book open-time and not stress about doing the majority of them under exam conditions, but does this approach really work? Or should I just isolate myself for 2 hours and attempt to complete an exam in that time (not that I think I'd be able to do it)? Any advice would be appreciated

[lala1911]

I was told by many people to do as many as you can open book and then towards the end of October start doing closed book.

When you do them open book, you're able to actually learn what is being asked of you, so when you see a similar question in the VCAA 2013 exam you would know how to answer it properly because you've already gone through it.. Doing closed book timed exams doesn't allow you to do this as you really feel pressured for time. Also, I heard that simulating closed book exam conditions at home is beneficial, but it really doesn't exactly simulate real exam conditions. When you're sitting that English exam on October 30th, you'll be full of adrenaline and the whole setting will be different. It is vital to at least do some closed book though so you get an idea on whether you can roughly finish on time.

It is really up to you though and I'm no specialist, but that's how I'm going to be doing practice exams.

[AbominableMowman]

So I'm sitting here with a neat pile of practice exams, and I'm not entirely sure how to approach working through them.
Some VCE motivational speaker people have said to do them open-book open-time and not stress about doing the majority of them under exam conditions, but does this approach really work? Or should I just isolate myself for 2 hours and attempt to complete an exam in that time (not that I think I'd be able to do it)? Any advice would be appreciated

Same, I've heard its good to do a lot of practice exams open book, as you're learning the content as well as doing the questions. You're not influenced by how much time you have left etc, so you think more deeply about the question and the answer. Then when you're comfortable with the content start timing your exams.

[tcstudent]

maybe before doing practice exams open book, Do the actual practice exam without the book as you will most likely remember some area of studies, do them, the ones you cannot remember or get wrong, put them into a seperate book and re try them after you have revised over your notes for that section or question.

[Yacoubb]

Perhaps making sure at this stage you're about 80% familiar with the content, start nice simple questions to build confidence in addition to how you'll express things you want to say in your answers (i.e. Almost like a template).


Good luck!!

[brenden]

I agree with the open book -> closed book thinggo. Perhaps not only a few closed book... I'd do a bit more than a few to really hone exam technique.