‘Academic’ Intelligence: Exam Techniques

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I was initially going to do an article on film noir today but, under the current circumstances, I decided that it would be much more appropriate to do a quick article on some successful exam techniques that I had tested throughout my studies.

The reason for my sudden desire to write on the above topic was sparked by my having an exam in Commercial Law and Intellectual Property today.

Furthermore, I should like to note that I am currently not only London- bound but also library- bound and am, thus, unable to produce the podcast until later on today.

As custom goes, I shall try to sound as academically eloquent and formal as possible, it being a Monday.

Rather than wasting everybody’s time with idle chit- chat, I should like to jump straight to the essence of today’s entry, namely, how to tackle exams successfully.

Study systematically and regularly

A lot of people tend to ignore that because they think that they will be able to prepare for all of their exams in a months’ time.

First of all, it is nearly impossible to read between 1000 and 3000 pages in a month's time.

Moreover, even if you somehow manage to do it, I can assure you that you will not remember much of it at the end.

On the other hand, if you study for two hours a day throughout the year, say five days a week, at the end, you will have accumulated a considerable amount of notes that you can refer to.

Finally, because you have gone through the reading before, you will be able to ‘revise’ and not start from scratch which will give you the boost of confidence you need.

Make notes; then make notes of those notes

As you go on, start making notes of the materials that you go through. At first, start making more detailed notes. Then, when you start revising, start making brief notes of those detailed notes.

In the end, you will end up with about twenty pages’ worth of notes for the whole module.

Not only that but you will have memorised (without even realising it) 70% of the information contained in those.

Do NOT panic

The mainstream reason is that there is simply absolutely no sense in panicking; it will neither help you study in a more timely and efficient manner, nor will it help you focus or relax.

I am fully aware that it is easier said than done; that is why you have to learn to see exams as an opportunity to show the examiner how much you know OR show him how little he has taught you.

Even though it might sound a bit harsh to the examiners, I have found that such an approach to exams really makes a big difference.

Be smart about your revision

Most exams in England have a section A and a section B; you have to do a question from each and a further question of your choice from either.

The best way forward is to look through the past papers (which EVERY university in England provides its students with) and go through the topics that have come up every year.

Often, it is physically impossible to learn everything; sometimes you have to pick and choose.

Please note that the above strategy does not apply to courses such as the Legal Practice Course or the Bar Vocational Course as the subject matter in those is entertwined and (I know that for a fact) every topic covered comes up in the exam.

Avoid talking to classmates before an exam

The temptation to go to a classmate and ask him a couple of things right before the exam is familiar to us all.

You should, however, avoid doing it at all cost because:

1.   The other person might be too negative and try to drag you down with him by constantly repeating how horrible the exam will be
2.   The person might be overly positive and chatty (like me, for instance) and might start talking to you about things that you have chosen not to revise for which will, naturally, make you panic and doubt your abilities

Do at least one timed mock exam

Try to do a whole past paper under exam conditions- timing, atmosphere, etc.

This will give you a feeling of the actual exam as well as a chance to evaluate not only your knowledge but also your ability to apply it under pressure and within the time constraints.

Avoid speaking to classmates AFTER the exam

From a purely logical point of view, there is nothing that you can change and finding out what mistakes you have made and what you have missed to point out will simply ruin your whole day, if not week.

Trust me, it is not worth it.

All in all, you should never be afraid of or worried about exams as they are your chance to shine.

You must never forget that university is neither kindergarten nor high school; your parents have not sent you there on their own accord.

YOU chose to be there, YOU chose what you wanted to study.

And, as with everything else, if you take a logical approach to tackling those, I can promise you that exams will be nothing short of an enjoyable experience.