Mistakes to NEVER make in EXAMS that will RUIN your results.

Summary

This script offers five crucial strategies to excel in exams: pre-planning answers using past papers for insight, connecting ideas through active revision, managing time effectively during exams, bullet pointing key points for quick recall, and practicing past papers for a focused revision. It emphasizes the importance of understanding exam patterns and avoiding common mistakes to boost confidence and performance.

Takeaways

• 📚 Pre-planning answers is crucial for exams. By doing past papers and understanding common question types, you can prepare model answers and improve your exam performance.
• 🧠 It's important to connect ideas while studying. Simply memorizing blocks of information is not effective; instead, use techniques like mind mapping or teaching others to consolidate your knowledge.
• ⏱ Time management during exams is key. Practice with timed exams to understand the pacing required for different question types and to avoid running out of time or making rushed mistakes.
• 🎯 Bullet pointing during exams helps to structure your answers and ensures you don't forget key points. It also allows you to quickly identify questions that may need more time or attention.
• 📝 Doing past papers while revising is essential. It helps identify areas of strength and weakness, allowing for more targeted study and practice on areas where you're likely to lose marks.
• 🤝 Collaborative learning, like teaching concepts to others, can reinforce your own understanding and help you connect ideas more effectively.
• 🏃‍♂️ Practice exams are like training runs for a race; they help you understand the pacing and strategy needed to perform well under exam conditions.
• 🔍 Active revision, such as writing mini-essays or summarizing content, is more effective than passive reading or note-taking. It engages you with the material and aids in recall.
• 📈 The analogy of physical fitness to exam preparation highlights the importance of focusing on the areas that are most tested and weighted heavily in exams.
• 📉 Avoid the common mistake of only reviewing content at the end of your study period. Instead, start with past papers to identify weaknesses early and focus your study time effectively.

Q & A

What is the first mistake students often make in exams according to the script?

The first mistake is not pre-planning answers. The speaker suggests that students should do past papers to understand the types of questions that come up and prepare template answers for them.

How can students predict what questions might appear on their exams?

Students can predict exam questions by doing past papers and analyzing the types of questions that frequently appear, as well as by following guidance from their teachers who might provide model answers or structures.

What is the analogy used to describe the importance of pre-planning answers in exams?

The analogy used is that of 'Physical 100', a Netflix show where the most physically fit person is determined not by having all-round physical attributes but by excelling in specific areas, like endurance. Similarly, exams might test certain areas more heavily, and past papers help identify these.

What is the second mistake students make while studying for exams?

The second mistake is not connecting ideas while studying. The speaker emphasizes the importance of linking information and concepts, suggesting methods like mind mapping, teaching someone else, or summarizing notes to aid in understanding and recall.

How can students consolidate their knowledge and make it more exam-oriented?

Students can consolidate their knowledge by summarizing content, writing mini-essays, or creating mind maps, which also serves as active revision and helps in forming arguments and understanding the material better.

Why is it important for students to set their time well during exams?

Setting time well is crucial because it helps students manage their pace, avoid rushing or falling behind, and reduces the likelihood of making silly mistakes under time pressure. The speaker suggests practicing with past papers to understand the timing for different sections of the exam.

What is the strategy the speaker recommends for efficient exam taking?

The speaker recommends starting with past papers to identify strengths and weaknesses, then focusing on reviewing and learning the topics that are prone to losing marks. This strategy saves time and is more efficient than learning all content and then testing at the end.

What is the 'bullet point' strategy suggested for exams?

The 'bullet point' strategy involves quickly going through the exam paper at the start, noting down key points and formulas for each question. This helps in offloading information from memory to paper, reducing the chance of forgetting and providing a structured approach to answering questions.

Why should students leave time to check their answers at the end of an exam?

Leaving time to check answers is crucial because it allows students to catch mistakes they might have made, such as misreading questions or making calculation errors. The speaker refers to this as an 'overpowered' strategy used by top students.

What is the final mistake students make according to the script when revising for exams?

The final mistake is not doing past papers while revising. The speaker advises starting with past papers to identify areas of strength and weakness, which then guides focused learning and reviewing, making the study process more efficient.

What is the 'Student Accelerator Program' mentioned in the script?

The 'Student Accelerator Program' is a program where the speaker and experts help students improve their study skills, learn to study in less time, and achieve better grades. It includes a free Master Class for interested students.