The document provides tips for preparing for and taking multiple choice and essay style examinations. It recommends carefully reading exam instructions, planning time usage during reading periods, answering all multiple choice questions even if unsure, showing workings for questions that require it, and using diagrams when helpful. It also stresses the importance of developing strong examination strategies as exams can contribute significantly to overall marks.

1. Academic Teacher Resources PREPARE FOR EXAMINATIONS Student Wall Planner and Study Guide

2. Guidelines to Multiple Choice Tests (1) Circle or underline important words in the item (2) Read all the answer choices before selecting one (3) Cross out answers you are certain are not correct (4) Look for two answer choices that are opposites

3. (5) Look for hints about the correct answer choice in other items on the test (6) Do not change your initial answer unless you are sure another answer choice is correct (7) Choose ‘all the above’ if you are certain all the others are correct Guidelines to Multiple Choice Tests

4. Few Other Ideas If you (8) leave a multiple choice question make sure you leave a space (9) Clearly mark your answers If the (10) requirement is to circle your answer (11) then circle - do not cross If pencil is permitted make sure it is (12) dark and the pencil is (13) sharp

5. Performance Tips and Other Advice (14) Basic errors of grammar and spelling are one of the biggest problems that many student have. (15) Practising Mathematics problems on a regular basis is a good start. For fundamentally weak areas, you need to (16) organise some help from the teacher.

6. Performance Tips and Other Advice Some key equations and formulae will always (17) have to be rote learned and memorised . (18) Write out definitions Talk about the work and explain the scientific ideas (19) to someone else . Maintain (20) effective notes

7. Prior to the Examinations Keep other commitments to a minimum (21) so you can focus on your study . Have a (22) study schedule is always a good idea. Locate past papers and practise (23) practise, practise .

8. Prior to the Examinations Do not guess what the questions will be as this (24) will leave you under-prepared. Review the (25) overview of the structure of the course well in advance. (26) Studying is an action . You can’t hope to study by just sitting and reading. To prepare for the examinations practise sitting at a desk (27) for long stretches of time.

9. Prior to the Examinations Make sure you have all the (28) necessary equipment. Double check the (29) time and location of the examinations. (30) Do not spend the night doing last minute cramming. Arrive a little (31) early but not too early to the examination.

10. Prior to the Examinations Go to the (32) toilet before the examination schedule starting time. Ask your family for support and to give you space. Avoid mixing with others. Set your mind, body and heart

11. During the Examination It is vital that you (33) read the instructions carefully. During the (34) reading time plan decide what sections you will start with.

12. During the Examination (35) Never leave a multiple choice question (36) unanswered (unless there is a penalty for wrong responses.

13. During the Examination It is essential to (37) show your workings. In essay and short answer questions (38) directional words are used. It is often useful to (39) include diagrams in your extended answers.

14. During the Examination People who leave examinations early are either (40) geniuses or fools . If you should finish early you can (41) always check your spelling, tidy up diagrams etc

15. During the Examination Re-reading sections will help you see and (42) correct careless errors . If you come across a question and not sure how to handle it, take (43) few deep breaths.

16. During the Examination It is a good idea to occasionally stretch fingers and hands ( 44) roll your shoulders and stretch your neck.

17. After the Examination Don’t spend time thinking or talking about the paper after the examination. (45) Focus your energy on preparing for the next examination.

18. Remember Examinations are often worth a large percentage of your mark, therefore it is (46) very important to develop your examination strategies .