Revision and exam techniques

Get the most out of your course

and
d revision
i i with
ith
ETA Consultancy

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Preparing to Revise
z It will be easier to get all the resources you need to revise well before
you start.
z It will be easier if you organise and update your notes throughout the
course.
z If you haven't done this, spend one evening organising and ordering
everything you have
have.
Types of study Aids:
Note paper
Course manual
Example exam papers and
practical assignments
Highlighters
Coloured Pens and Pencils

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Preparing to Revise
A Suitable Environment
Your study environment should be:
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z

Calm and quiet

Well lit
Ag
good temperature
p
Full of nice, fresh air to keep you
awake
Free from distraction (i.e. mobile
phone,, family,
p
y, TV,, alcohol etc.))
Large table or desk
A good chair and spacious desk.
Stationary and other study aids course
information
Keep hydrated and ensure you drink
plenty of fluids.
It is important to work in a comfortable
environment
environment.

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Preparing to Revise
R i i Timetable
Revision
Ti t bl
z If you have a revision timetable, fill in your study
z Alternatively, make your own timetable, use a diary or wall-chart that is specific to
y
you.
z Some people like to study early in the day, others prefer to study later on.

Tips for Time Management

z Do not intend to study all day.
day
z Schedule breaks in your working day for fun, food, relaxation and exercise, but not
all at once
z Too much work can be as unproductive as too little work. A good way to start is to
work for 50 minutes,
minutes then have a 10 minute break every hour.
hour
z Try to give each subject equal time, do not concentrate on one subject at the
expense of another.
z Do difficult tasks at times when you are at your most productive.
z Be realistic and disciplined - don't plan a schedule you can't manage.
z Be flexible - you never know when an emergency will crop up.
z Leave time at the end for reviewing what you have done and what you must still do.
z Reward yourself when you achieve targets or goals.
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Revision Techniques
Revision should be as active as possible.
z The best way to do this is to take the
information you have and put it into a
different format.
z You should also try to use as many different
parts of your brain as possible while revising.
z For example, writing something in bright
colours gives you a better chance of
remembering something than if you write it in
black because you are stimulating the part of
your brain that deals with colour as well as
written information.

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Revision Techniques

Mind Mapping

z If you didn't already know, a mind map

is a kind of advanced spider diagram
that makes good use of pictures,
colours and spatial relations.
relations
z Mind maps increase your chances of
learning a subject because they
stimulate multiple parts of your brain.
z A mind map
p that is constructed with
thought and care will be a much more
effective learning method than a simple
page of notes or a simple spider
diagram.
z Mind maps are easy to construct.
construct
z You should be as imaginative as
possible when you are constructing a
mind map.

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Revision Techniques
Mnemonics / Acronyms
Mnemonics techniques
q
are g
good methods for remember key
y information.
You take the first letter or each word and form another word to remember.

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Revision Techniques
Prompt Cards
z M
Make
k some revision
i i notes
t on smallll iindex
d cards.
d
z You can carry round these prompt cards for
revising in short breaks.
z Each card can contain a definition
definition, a short list
list, a
summary.
z Don't try to fill the card with information. It will be
difficult to read - and remember..
z Integrate
I t
t different
diff
t revision
i i methods
th d remember
b
that your brain will associate colours, symbols,
pictures, music with different things.
prompt
p cards with key
y words/dates can
z Small p
be just as useful as a page of notes, and you
can carry them in your pocket

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Revision Techniques
z Write ideas and facts on cards to use as prompts
z Create memory aids such as diagrams or mnemonics (e.g. SMART).
However, please remember that you can
cantt use your diagrams as the sole
answer in the exam; you can use it as a basis and expand it when it comes
to writing your answer.
z Write key facts on pieces of cards and display them around your house.
z Study with a friend and test each others knowledge
z Attend any revision classes that Phoenix HSC might be holding.
z Work through past exam papers this will test your knowledge and allow
you to become familiar with the exam format. If theres a question you cant
answer then you know you need to go back and revise that subject.
subject
z Remember to reward yourself. Use rewards as incentive to do the revision.
z Try and read around the subject that you are revising. You should try and
research aspects outside of what is taught in the classroom to give you a
broader understanding of quality.
quality
z It is also suggested that using real life examples will help illustrate your
answers more effectively. Try and think of some examples that back up your
answers in the exam.

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Learning Styles
Visual (spatial). - You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial
understanding.
Aural (auditory-musical). - You prefer using sound and music.
Verbal (linguistic). - You prefer using words, both in speech and
writing.
Physical (kinaesthetic). - You prefer using your body, hands and
sense of touch.
Logical (mathematical). - You prefer using logic, reasoning and
systems.
systems
Social (interpersonal). - You prefer to learn in groups or with
other people.
Solitary
S
lit
(intrapersonal).
(i t
l) - You
Y prefer
f to
t workk alone
l
and
d use selflf
study.

You will probably be a combination of learning styles

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Learning Styles

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Learning Styles
KNOWING HOW TO LEARN,
and knowing
g which strategies
g
work best, are valuable skills that
will assist you to perform well at
your exams.

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Revision Techniques
Strategies to be Avoided - They do not work.
z "I record the trainer on my dictaphone. If I play them
to myself while I sleep, they'll sink in and I won't
have to do any work while I'm awake.
Am I clever or what?"
z "Cramming
Cramming. Cram cram cram cram cram cram cram
cram cram cram cram cram cram cram cram cram cram cram."
z "I work all day every day. There's no time for breaks at exam time. That's what
I've always said."
z "I find that if I leave my revision as long as possible
possible, it makes me panic so
badly that I do everything really quickly and save myself loads of time."
z "I just revise a few topics from each subject. I'm a lucky guy, There's always
something I can answer when I do that."
z "Revise?
"Re ise? I don't have
ha e to revise,
re ise I remember it all the first time ro
round,
nd and if I
can't remember, then it's not worth knowing."

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Exam Techniques
Using Past Papers to Revise
z Passing exams is as much about technique as it
is about knowledge.
z Understand the style
y of the q
questions and scoring
g
criteria
z You need to practice your timing as well as your
recall of knowledge.
z To start with, compare the notes you have against
the questions asked on your example test
questions.
z Make
M k sure you have
h
enough
h material
t i l to
t be
b able
bl to
t
answer all the questions.

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Exam Techniques
Day before the exam:
z Use your revision tools (e.g. diagrams, mnemonics,
prompt cards etc) to check facts
z Keep calm don
dontt try to learn new topics so close to
an exam.
z Dont stay up all night.

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Exam Techniques
Answering Questions
z Read through the paper and any instructions carefully Before looking at the actual
questions, read the instructions and complete any compulsory information (name, date
etc).
etc)
z Work out the timing Divide your time according to the number of questions to be
answered. Split it proportionately if you have some questions (or parts of questions)
which attract more marks than others.
z Read the q
questions carefully.
y Read through
g the p
paper
p once and then re-read each
question. You might think a topic you've revised hasn't come up, when it is there but the
wording is unusual. Understand the concept of the question.
z Choose your best questions - Mark any questions you might answer, and then check
that you fully understand it. Do you have some relevant knowledge, ideas and evidence
for the ones you choose to answer?
z Decide on question order. Some people like to start with the topic they know best to
give them a good start
z Read through your paper and analyse your answers:- filling in gaps, correct any
errors
NEBOSH IGC
suggested timings

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Exam Techniques
Maximising your marks
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z

Think about what the question is actually asking. What are you expected to include in your answer?
What material will be relevant? The most common complaint from markers is that the student didn't
ans er the question.
answer
q estion
Plan before you write The stress of working under time constraints in the exam room can make all your
good study intentions disappear. However, this is when it's more important than ever to get your ideas
across clearly and concisely. Take a few minutes to think and plan:
Underline the key words in the question;
Id tif the
Identify
th main
i topic
t i and
d discussion
di
i areas..
Choose a few points/arguments about which you can write .
Make a mini-plan which puts them in order before you start writing. You can cross it through afterwards.
Referencing in exams You should be able to refer by name (spelt correctly!) legislation in your topic.
You are not expected to give specific sections of the acts/regulations.
What to do if your mind goes blank most students fear this happening. If it does put your pen down,
take a deep breath, sit back and relax for a moment. If you're in the middle of an answer, read through
what you have written so far what happens next? If you have to remember formulae, try associating
them with pictures or music while revising. If you really can't progress with this answer, leave a gap. It will
probably come back to you once you are less anxious.
If you are running out of time don
don'tt panic.
panic Look at the questions you have left to answer and divide up
your remaining time to cover them all. Be very economical make one point support it with evidence and
then move on to the next point. If you really can't finish in time, briefly list the points you wanted to make
they could pick you up a few marks.

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Exam Techniques
M i i i
Maximising
your marks
k
z Presentation - Handwriting and grammar do not lose or gain marks, however it has to be
readable! Remember that the exams are marked by humans so the easier it is to mark, the
easier it is to give marks for.
for
z Action Verbs - Take note of the action verb at the start of each question. As a general rule,
if a question asks you to Identify, state" or list then a simple list will do. If however, the
question asks for outline, describe or explain, then your answer should be in sentences,
preferably with an example to illustrate.
z Keep
K
it Brief
B i f - We
W have
h
already
l d said
id that
th t you mustt comply
l with
ith the
th action
ti verb,
b but
b t do
d nott be
b
tempted to waffle on or give long introductions to your answer this is not required. There are
no marks for star quality just answer the question.
z Bankers - This is important. There are certain answers which will be relevant time and time
again,
g
for example:
p risk assessment, training,
g supervision,
p
PPE etc. Put reproducing
p
g this list
without relating it to the specific question will not gain marks
Outline the precautions to be taken when a minor repair is to be carried out on a fragile
roof..
roof
z
z
z
z

Carry out a risk assessment 0 marks

Carry out an initial risk assessment to identify the hazards from roof work and decide on the necessary
precautions 1 mark
Provide adequate information, instruction and training 0 marks
Provide information, instruction and training on the hazards and associated precautions involved in roof
work 1 mark

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Exam Techniques
Action verb meaning
z Define - provide a generally recognised or accepted
d fi iti
definition
z Describe - give a word picture
z Explain - give a clear account of, or reasons for
z Give - provide without explanation (used normally with the
instruction to give an example [or examples] of ...)
z Identify - select and name
z List - provide a list without explanation
z Outline - give the most important features of (less depth
than either explain or describe, but more depth than list)
z Sk
Sketch
t h - provide
id a simple
i l line
li
d
drawing
i
using
i
l b l to
labels
t
identify specific features
z State - a less demanding form of define, or where there is
generally
y recognised
g
definition
no g
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Revision Techniques
The most important points to remember when you revise :
z
z
z
z
z

Start early, the earlier the better.

Be organised, make a timetable.
Revise where you are most comfortable.
Use techniques that are the best for you.
Take regular breaks to digest and process
information

A d fi
And
finally.
ll
E
Enjoy
j !

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