How to Prepare for Exams

Just when you think the day will be calm and easy, your teacher unexpectedly announces a test at the least convenient moment. Although we all dislike exams, they are an unavoidable part of school life. While everyone may hate them, you can improve your exam skills to avoid being caught off guard when the time comes.

Review your study material. Find out when the exams are scheduled and how much they contribute to your overall grade. Mark these dates on your calendar or planner so you're not taken by surprise when the exam period arrives!

• Plan study sessions starting at least one week before each exam. It's better to have smaller, regular review sessions than trying to cram everything into a single, last-minute session.

Pay attention during class. It might seem simple, but focusing during class lectures can be incredibly helpful when exam season comes around. Don’t just think of yourself as someone who is passively "absorbing" information; be an active learner.

• Listen carefully, as teachers often give hints like, "The most important part of this topic is..." or emphasize specific words or concepts. This is the key to performing well on exams. The more you grasp information early on, the less you will need to study later.

Take effective notes. It’s easier said than done, but learning to take good notes will be a huge help when it's time to review. Write down everything your teacher presents on the board or via projector. Try to record as much as possible of what the teacher says, but don’t let note-taking distract you from actually listening.

• Review your notes daily, right after class. This will help reinforce the knowledge you just learned.

Make studying a part of your daily routine. Often, it’s tempting to treat revision as something you only need to do at the last minute, cramming everything in just before the exam. Instead, dedicate some time each day to review. Schedule it like a regular class or meeting, and you’ll be more likely to stick with it and enjoy the process.

Ask about the exam format. Inquire with your teacher about the exam format, grading criteria, and whether there are opportunities for bonus points. If they are willing to share, make sure to highlight the key topics in your notes that are most likely to be tested.

Study in a clean, quiet, and organized room. Keep all distractions well away from your study space. Checking your phone for messages or frequently browsing social media should be avoided at all costs while preparing for exams.

Turn on the lights! Studying in a dark room is not recommended. In the evening, make sure to turn on extra lights, and during the day, open the curtains (or even crack the window open). We tend to study and focus better in a well-lit, well-ventilated room with minimal noise.

Turn off the TV. Many students think they can multitask well, like studying while watching TV or chatting with friends online, but studies show that this is not true for most people. To improve your study results, eliminate distractions such as TV and loud music. Switching your focus too quickly between books and the TV makes it hard for your brain to decide which information should be prioritized first.

Decide whether to play music or not. The effect of music on memory varies from person to person. Some studies have found that music helps improve memory in people with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), but can hinder memory in those without this condition. To boost your study effectiveness, classical music seems to be the most beneficial. You need to decide if listening to music is helpful for you. If you like listening to music while studying, make sure you are genuinely focusing on the material and not just getting lost in the catchy tunes.

• If you absolutely need music to study, opt for instrumental tracks to avoid the distraction of lyrics.
• Listening to natural background sounds can keep your brain engaged and prevent distractions from other noises. There are many free background noise generators available online.
• Listening to Mozart or classical music in general will not make you smarter or help you remember longer, but it makes it easier for your brain to absorb information.

Focus on your study goals. What do you intend to accomplish in this session? Setting specific study goals can be quite helpful. Planning your study time is also a good idea. If three out of five topics are easy and you can finish them quickly, tackle them first so that you can devote most of your time to the more challenging topics without worrying too much.

Create your own study guide. Review all your notes and rewrite the most important information. This not only helps you focus better while studying, but it’s also a form of revision! Just don’t spend too much time writing the guide—you’ll need time to actually review it too.

Revise your notes in a new format. Rewriting your notes is a great method if you’re an active learner. Mind mapping is one of the most effective ways to do this. Additionally, as you rewrite, reflect on what you’re writing: what it’s about and why you’re jotting it down. Most importantly, it helps refresh your memory. If you find notes you wrote a month ago and realize they’re related to your upcoming exam, rewriting them will help you recall the information when you need it during the test.

• Don’t just copy your notes over and over. This will help you remember the exact wording, but not the underlying concepts. Instead, read through your notes, think about examples, and rephrase the information in your own words.

Ask yourself questions about your material. This method helps you assess whether you still remember what you just studied. Instead of trying to recall exactly what’s in your notes when answering questions, it’s much more useful to synthesize that information into your own answers.

• Answer the questions out loud as if you’re explaining them to someone else—this is also a great strategy.

Review previous tests and assignments. If you missed any questions, now is the time to look up the answers and understand why you couldn’t answer them before. This approach is especially useful if your upcoming exam is a comprehensive one that includes material you’ve learned earlier in the course.

Find a suitable time frame. Don’t study when you’re already exhausted. Getting a good night’s sleep after a bit of studying is better than pushing through until 2 AM. You won’t retain much, and you’ll likely perform worse the next day.

Start as early as possible. Avoid cramming. Cramming the night before an exam has been shown to be ineffective. When you overload your brain with too much information at once, it’s impossible to remember everything—and it’s even harder to recall anything at all. Revising over time and repeatedly going over the material is truly the best way to study. This is especially true for subjects like history and theory-heavy courses.

• Make it a habit to review whenever you get a chance, even if it’s just for 15-20 minutes. These short sessions will help you memorize material quickly!
• Break your study time into 25-minute sessions using the Pomodoro technique. After each session, take a 5-minute break. Repeat this process three times, then take a longer break of 30-45 minutes.

Study according to your learning style. If you’re a visual learner, incorporate images into your study routine. Auditory learners should read their notes aloud and record them, then rephrase them in their own words. If you prefer kinesthetic learning, try teaching the material to yourself out loud—using hand gestures or moving around to help with memorization.

Adapt your revision strategy to the subject. Subjects like mathematics require regular practice with problem sets to become familiar with necessary solving techniques. Social science subjects, such as history and literature, may require synthesizing information and memorizing facts like dates or events.

• Whatever you do, don’t just reread your notes over and over. To truly learn, you need to take an active role in "creating" knowledge and reviewing information. Try to find the "big picture" from your notes or reorganize them by themes or dates.

Think about your teacher. Ask yourself: What will the teacher most likely focus on in the exam? What materials should I prioritize to ensure I grasp what I need to know? Are there any tricky or challenging questions the teacher might ask that could catch me off guard? This strategy helps you focus on the key information, rather than getting stuck on things that may not be as important.

Seek help when needed. If you need assistance, reach out to those who excel in the subject. Friends, family, tutors, and teachers are all good resources. If you don't understand something the instructor is teaching, don’t hesitate to ask for further clarification.

• Ask your teacher for help to better understand the study material, which will be beneficial not only for exams but also for your future learning. Always remember to ask if you don't understand something or need more information. Teachers will be happy to help.
• Schools often provide resources to help you manage academic pressure, address learning challenges, offer study advice, and provide additional support. Check with your teacher or visit your school’s website to learn how to access these resources.

Take breaks. You need time to relax, and studying when you’re feeling refreshed will be much more effective than pushing through when you’re exhausted. Plan your study and break periods carefully. A common and effective approach is to study for 20-30 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break.

• If you’re struggling to concentrate, try splitting your study time into 20-minute intervals with a 10-minute break after each.
• Be sure to structure your study time effectively to avoid interruptions that can disrupt the memorization of concepts, as this may make it harder to recall everything later.

Think positively, but work hard. Confidence is key. Worrying about only having studied a little or fearing you’ll perform poorly will distract you from your goal of achieving great results. However, this doesn’t mean you should stop studying diligently. You still need to put in the effort, even if you’re feeling confident. Confidence simply helps you overcome obstacles on your way to success.

Study together. Arrange study sessions at the library with your friends to compare your notes or explain concepts that others may find confusing. Working with others helps fill in your knowledge gaps and enhances retention, as you might need to explain or discuss the material with your peers.

• If you're asking for help, stay focused and avoid distractions.

Take the initiative to ask for help. If you're struggling with a subject, don't hesitate to reach out to your friends for assistance. If they can't help, consider asking a tutor.

• If there's time before the exam and you still don't understand the material, ask if your teacher can explain it again.

Get plenty of rest the night before the exam. On average, elementary school children need 10-11 hours of sleep to perform at their best. For teens, you should aim for at least 10 hours of sleep. Lack of sleep has been shown to accumulate over time (known as "sleep deprivation"). To make up for prolonged poor sleep habits, you may need weeks of good sleep to restore your body to optimal performance.

• Avoid caffeine or any stimulants 5-6 hours before bedtime. (However, if a doctor has prescribed a stimulant for you at a specific time, follow the instructions even if you're not sleepy, and consult your doctor before making any changes.) These substances reduce the quality of your sleep, meaning that even if you get enough sleep, you won't feel refreshed upon waking.

Eat a light and healthy meal. Have a balanced breakfast with protein, such as lean meats, vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. For example, a breakfast might include scrambled eggs with spinach, smoked salmon, whole-grain toast, and a banana.

Bring snacks with you. If your exam is long, bring along some snacks, if allowed. Items containing complex carbohydrates and protein, such as whole-grain peanut butter sandwiches or even a granola bar, can help improve focus when needed.

Enter the exam room early. Give yourself at least 5 to 10 minutes to settle in and gather your thoughts before you begin. This will help you calm your mind and take a brief break before the exam starts.

Start with the easy questions. If you get stuck on a question, move on to the next one and come back to it later. Struggling and focusing on a question you don't know the answer to could waste precious time and cost you valuable points.

Create flashcards. If you have a grammar or English test, making flashcards to memorize word meanings is a great way to study. You can take them to school and quickly review them before the exam starts.

• If you planned to begin studying at a specific time, say 12 PM, but you realize it's already 12:10, don’t wait until 1 PM to start. It’s still not too late to get going!
• Rewrite a few important notes in bullet points. It’s much easier to review than reading through an entire paragraph.
• If you have an idea of what questions may appear on the exam but find it hard to remember the answers, write the question on one side of a flashcard and the answer on the other. It’s helpful to connect the question to the answer as it can aid in remembering.
• Take breaks between study sessions to give your brain time to rest and absorb the information you’ve learned.
• Stick to a study schedule.
• Avoid studying while lying in bed, as it’s easy to fall asleep.
• Turn off your phone, social media, and TV when you’re studying.
• Ensure you get enough sleep and have a healthy breakfast.
• Review each chapter thoroughly rather than cramming everything at once.
• Don’t eat too much before studying as it can make you feel sluggish or lazy.
• Exercise (running, biking, etc.) before studying can help you focus and think more clearly about the material.
• Keep your study space organized, as a clean environment can help you mentally sort through what you’ve learned.

• Don’t wait until the night before the exam to cram. Instead, study little by little every day when you get home from school. Cramming everything at once is futile.
• If possible, avoid stress from others. A negative and stifling atmosphere while studying will only make you want to avoid studying altogether.
• Cheating won’t help you pass exams. Sooner or later, you’ll get caught. There are severe penalties for cheating, such as marks on your record or even expulsion.