Exam Preparation

Exam Tips

Make sure you know the products, instruments and techniques covered in the syllabus
Whenever possible, read round the subject - particularly current press coverage - to broaden your understanding
Don't just read, think about the issues and use your own practical experiences
If possible, study with others and discuss the issues as this can help identify and fill any gaps in your knowledge
Test yourself by answering questions in the study packs
If examiner’s reports are published, read them carefully as you could learn from the mistakes of others
Make sure you are familiar with the calculator for your exam
Check that you know where and when your exam takes place
Make sure you read the exam day information
Make sure your watch is working
Make sure you have a good night's sleep
Allow extra journey time: arriving in good time will make you feel less stressful
Wear comfortable clothes, layers if possible, so that you can adjust your clothing to the temperature in the exam room

During the Exam

Listen to the invigilators’ announcements
If you are given an answer book, make sure you complete the personal details as instructed
If you need to attract the attention of an invigilator, raise your hand
Plan how much time to spend on each question. You can always come back to a question if you have time at the end. In multiple-choice exams, you normally have just over a minute per question. In narrative exams, the maximum points are given for each question and this is a good guide to how much time you should spend before moving on
Read each question carefully and think before you answer! It is easy to overlook or misread a word and consequently make a silly mistake
Write clearly. While you will not be judged on your handwriting, if the examiner can’t read your answer, you can't be awarded marks
Computer Based Testing exam tips and techniques
Narrative exam tips and techniques

At the End of the Exam

Allow some time before the end of the exam to read through your answers and correct any mistakes you spot
Make sure you have completed all the necessary details on the answer book and that all your work has your candidate number so that it may be identified
Hand all your papers to the invigilator. If you take papers away with you when you shouldn't have, you will be disqualified