Revision and exam techniques

Get the most out of your course

and revision with
Phoenix Health & Safety
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Preparing to Revise
It will be easier to get all the resources you need to revise well before
you start.
It will be easier if you organise and update your notes throughout the
course.
If you haven't done this, spend one evening organising and ordering
everything you 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:

Calm and quiet

Well lit
A good temperature
Full of nice, fresh air to keep you
awake
Free from distraction (i.e. mobile
phone, family, 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.

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

Tips for Time Management

Do not intend to study all day.
Schedule breaks in your working day for fun, food, relaxation and exercise, but not
all at once
Too much work can be as unproductive as too little work. A good way to start is to
work for 50 minutes, then have a 10 minute break every hour.
Try to give each subject equal time, do not concentrate on one subject at the
expense of another.
Do difficult tasks at times when you are at your most productive.
Be realistic and disciplined - don't plan a schedule you can't manage.
Be flexible - you never know when an emergency will crop up.
Leave time at the end for reviewing what you have done and what you must still do.
Reward yourself when you achieve targets or goals.
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Revision Techniques
Revision should be as active as possible.
The best way to do this is to take the
information you have and put it into a
different format.
You should also try to use as many
different parts of your brain as possible
while revising.
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
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.
Mind maps increase your chances of
learning a subject because they
stimulate multiple parts of your brain.
A mind map 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.
Mind maps are easy to construct.
You should be as imaginative as
possible when you are constructing a
mind map.

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

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

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Revision Techniques
Write ideas and facts on cards to use as prompts
Create memory aids such as diagrams or mnemonics (e.g. SMART).
However, please remember that you cant 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.
Write key facts on pieces of cards and display them around your house.
Study with a friend and test each others knowledge
Attend any revision classes that Phoenix HSC might be holding.
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.
Remember to reward yourself. Use rewards as incentive to do the revision.
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.
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 (kinesthetic). - You prefer using your body, hands
and sense of touch.
Logical (mathematical). - You prefer using logic, reasoning and
systems.
Social (interpersonal). - You prefer to learn in groups or with
other people.
Solitary (intrapersonal). - You prefer to work alone and use
self-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 which strategies
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.
"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?"
"Cramming. Cram cram cram cram cram cram cram
cram cram cram cram cram cram cram cram cram cram cram."
"I work all day every day. There's no time for breaks at exam time. That's what
I've always said."
"I find that if I leave my revision as long as possible, it makes me panic so
badly that I do everything really quickly and save myself loads of time."
"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."
"Revise? I don't have to revise, I remember it all the first time round, and if I
can't remember, then it's not worth knowing."

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

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

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Exam Techniques
Answering Questions
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).
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.
Read the questions carefully. Read through the paper 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.
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?
Decide on question order. Some people like to start with the topic they know best to
give them a good start
Read through your paper and analyse your answers:- filling in gaps, correct any
errors
NEBOSH Certificate
suggested timings

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Exam Techniques
Maximising your marks
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 answer the
question.
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;
Identify the main topic and discussion 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't 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
Maximising your marks
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.
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.
Keep it Brief - We have already said that you must comply with the action verb, but do not be 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.
Bankers - This is important. There are certain answers which will be relevant time and time again, for
example: risk assessment, training, supervision, PPE etc. Put reproducing 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.
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
define - provide a generally recognised or accepted
definition
describe - give a word picture
explain - give a clear account of, or reasons for
give - provide without explanation (used normally with
the instruction to give an example [or examples] of ...)
identify - select and name
list - provide a list without explanation
outline - give the most important features of (less depth
than either explain or describe, but more depth than
list)
sketch - provide a simple line drawing using labels to
identify specific features
state - a less demanding form of define, or where
there is no generally recognised definition

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Revision Techniques
The most important points to remember when you revise :

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

And finally. Enjoy !

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