How to study for exam success

Consider these best practices for deciding what material to study for your exam:

• Pay particular attention to the learning objectives for each study. They will help you consolidate the information presented in each study. The examination questions are based on the learning objectives.
• Use the study aids available to you, including the practice questions and other online resources.
• Aim to have a good general understanding of the material in all the studies and the learning objectives as the national exam will include questions from each study. Refer to the course-specific blueprint to help you focus your study.

Scheduling time for studying is an important component in increasing the chances of a successful exam result. When planning your study schedule, consider these practices:

• Create a study plan. Include a list of what you intend to study in order of importance. When your plan is made, stick to it! This means committing to your specific time or task. For instance, if you are going to review Study 3, do not stop halfway through.
• Pace yourself. Think about how much time you will need to study and schedule your time accordingly. If you need more time to study, then plan to start well ahead of the exam so that you are not feeling frustrated and anxious when the exam comes. Reserve the last week before the exam to review the material you have already learned.
• Make use of spare time. Take the time during lunch or on public transit to study or review course material.

Make study notes. Many students find they help to personalize the course material by putting in their own words. Study notes also allow you to break the course material into separate points that relate to the study objectives.

• Use all the resources that are available to you. The textbook and the full range of online resources can help you absorb the course content. The more you use these materials, the more likely you are to learn the content.
• Develop your own questions. This will allow you to examine the objectives in the course text as well as provide you additional opportunities to use the course material.
• Aim to form a good understanding of the material. Many of the exam questions do not use the same words from the textbook. They are written to assess your understanding of the content and not how well you can memorize.

Having the right strategy on exam day can make a big difference:

• Watch your time. Answer the questions you find easiest first. With these questions complete, you will have more time to concentrate on the more difficult questions.
• Aim for content, not volume. Present your answer in point form with short sentences. Pay attention to the total number of marks on the question as a cue for the number of points required to adequately answer that question. Answer using key concepts, terms, and definitions to demonstrate your understanding of the question asked. If the question is providing a scenario, make sure your answer is applicable to the scenario. Answer the question to the best of your ability using our own words.