How to Create a Good Study Habit for Exams

• Buy an extra notebook for each subject at the beginning of the year so that as you finish a chapter in class, you immediately write notes and summaries in that book. The classwork will still be fresh in your mind so at exam time you merely have to take the notebook home from school. Write down the key points you learned from each lesson onto a cue card. This helps your mind to retain the day's important facts. On the weekends look over the cue cards. Get your parents or friends to quiz you on them.
• Learn how to make mind maps or other memory aids. Mind maps are graphical illustrations of a subject and a great memory tool to use, especially during exams.
• As soon as you finish a topic take out other books about the same topic and read more information about the subject. Take notes to refer back to them before and at test time.
• Make a timetable for exam days by marking the dates on a calendar, so you can be prepared by the time the test comes around.
• Make a list of the topics covered in class. As you study a topic, mark it in a way that is meaningful to you, to remind you which topics have already been studied.
• Set aside a study time each day when you are not too tired, or too hungry. If you are going to study for a long time, remember to take a break in between.
• Set up a study group. Study groups share notes, thoughts and ideas or how to solve or understand a particular problem.
• Plan out 'trial' exams for yourself. All you have to do is redo one of your past tests or quizzes within a time limit. Get into the exam mode by clearing your work desk of everything except your paper and pen.
• Get enough sleep at night. It's harder to concentrate when you got less than six hours of sleep the night before.
• When choosing individual subjects to study, start with the least enjoyable or the most difficult subject. Master it, and you'll end up loving it. At the very least, you won't have to worry about putting it off until it's too late because you don't like it
  
  Tips
• Don't panic on test day. On the night before the exam, and in the morning of exam, read through your notes a few times, then put them away.
• Don't panic if you have not studied well. Just think over the question and you might remember something the teacher taught you. After all, you are studying things that men have discovered before without previous knowledge.
• Eat a healthy breakfast that day, so you feel energized, but don't eat so much that you feel full. Something to consider is a study that says males do better on tests if they are slightly hungry, and females do better on tests if they are slightly full. Again, don't overdo it.
• You gain less by studying for exams at the last minute. One way to think about it is to start studying for the next exam as soon as you get the material, don't wait until a week before the test to start.
• If you suffer from exam stress then take a calming antidote, perhaps an herbal tea. Just don't overdose because it'll make you drowsy.
• Don't stress out, it makes your mind work slower.
• Have a balance in life, exams are simply a quick and lazy way to assess people. Don't panic, just study.
• Develop a positive attitude towards exams. If you are well prepared you'll walk into the exam room thinking "WOW! I can't wait to prove myself to these examiners, I'm gonna Ace this test, just to show them." Negative attitude: " Oooh, I'm so nervous. I hate exams; what's the point? I really don't feel up to this."
• Ever heard this? "Good luck with your exam!" This is false hope, you shouldn't need a pint of luck to help you succeed,and if you DO need good luck, then you obviously haven't prepared enough.
• While some can be, most exams aren't really this big. Exams are really just large quizzes with a time limit. No big deal.
• Do a work out during your breaks it helps you concentrate and focus you Mind.
  
  Warnings
• If you have not prepared yourself for the test, during the term, and before the test, do not expect a high mark!
• Too much study can be as bad as not enough study because the mind shuts down when too much information is crammed into it.
• Mind blanks are possibly the most frightening things to occur in an exam. They can happen in any subject, but you can overcome them. The only way to overcome mind blanks is to relax the brain from its hysterical state. In the exam room, close your eyes, breathe in for 5 seconds and let it release through the mouth automatically. Repeat this until you can feel the facts crawling back into your memory.
• Don't try to learn a new chapter a day before the exam; instead, revise what you already know.

All the best for your coming SA 2 examinations!

Tackling Oral Examinations

Section 1: Reading Aloud (10 marks)
What the testers will be observing...

PRONUNCIATION
- A way in which words are pronounced in reference to the correct manner

ARTICULATION
- An ability to express fluently and coherently (in speech)
- Ensure separate sounds and words are clear

RHYTHM
- Measure flow of words; well paced

FLUENCY
- Quick... easy... and flowing expression; not to fast and not too slow

EXPRESSIVENESS
- Expressing words and phrases with quality intonation of voice
- Ability to use appropriate pitch to convey ideas and feelings


Section 2: Picture Discussion ( 10 marks )
What the testers will be observing...

ABILITY TO TALK ON A GIVEN PICTURE
- Giving an introduction. E.g. This picture shows a... OR This picture depicts a scene from a restaurant, a mall, a library, a canteen (etc)
- Try to talk about the picture, from a sweeping glance from left to right. E.g. On my left... there are two cyclists cycling along the path... Behind them are two children on tricycles...
- Proper use of prepositions follows on throughout the picture discussion. E.g. Beside the girl or above them or in between the trees (etc)
- DO NOT point to the pictures.
- ALWAYS USE present tense.
- AVOID using "I see..." (some testers may deduct marks for this...)
- Give opinions


Section 3: Conversation ( 10 marks )
What the testers will be observing...

ENGAGEMENT IN CONVERSATION
- Ability to interact with the tester with personal responses to a given topic.
- Almost (usually) the topic will be similar to the one in Section 2
- Not really so much of right or wrong context here but more to be able to handle a meaningful and nonchalant conversation with the tester on the picture given.

ALL THE BEST!

SA2 Schedule

23/9(Wed) - EL Oral
25/9(Fri) - MT Oral
12/10(Mon) - Health Education & Social Studies SA2
13/10(Tue) - EL & MT Paper 1
27/10(Tue) - EL Paper 2 & Listening Comprehension SA2
28/10(Wed) - Mathematics SA2
29/10(Thu) - MT Paper 2 & Listening Comprehension SA2
30/10(Fri) - Science SA2

Time Management

Goals of Time Management
- To be able to have control over your life.
- Manage your time, don't let it manage you!
- To be healthier and happier with less stress.

Seven Suggestions for Effectively Managing Your Time

1. Be Organized
- Use time saving tools: appointment calendars, "to do" lists, etc.
- Have an organized workplace, don't waste time looking for things.
- Use your appointment calendar for everything.
- Use "to do" lists for both long and short term tasks.

2. Plan Ahead (Schedule it and it will happen!)
- Determine how long your tasks will take
- Consider whether any activities can be combined.
- Determine if big tasks can be broken down into smaller ones

3. Prioritize Your Tasks
- Use an A-B-C rating system for "to do" lists
- Set goals for both the short term and long term goals.
- Look at "to do"s to gauge the time and resources needed
- Don't postpone the small tasks

4. Avoid Overload
- Include time for rest, relaxation, sleep, eating and exercise.
- Take short breaks during study periods.
- Don't put everything off until the last minute.

5. Practice Effective Study Techniques
- Have an appropriate study environment.
- Split large tasks into more manageable tasks.
- Read for comprehension, rather than just to get to the end of the chapter.
- Be prepared to ask questions as they come up during study.
- Don't wait until just before an exam to ask questions.
- Do the most difficult work first, doing some easier tasks first.
- Be a model student, be attentive and participative in class.
- Be prepared and eager to learn.

6. Be Able to be Flexible
- If the unexpected happens(sickness), you need to be able to reschedule.
- Know how to rearrange your schedule when necessary.
- Know who to ask for help when needed.

7. Have a Vision (why are you doing all of this?)
- Don't forget the "big picture"
- why are you doing the task
- Is it important to your long-term personal goals?
- Have and follow a personal mission statement.
- Know what is important to you.
- Have a positive attitude!