The GCE Advanced Level Examination is now in progress. Even before the examination started most students would have experienced stress in varying degrees. Psychologists have found many scientifically based strategies that could lessen examination stress.
However, so far, nobody seems to have found a solution to stress caused during the period of revision. An Advanced Level student who is sitting the examination used to listen to her favourite music and have fun while doing her revision. What will be the outcome?
She may be a rare person to do so because most students undergo severe stress during the revision time. They are quite unaware of the dangers of stress during revision. They are putting themselves at risk of getting a nasty cold or similar illness in the middle of the examination.
It is no secret that most students burn the midnight oil drinking many cups of coffee to keep them awake. They think it is a great way to achieve their targets. By breaking their sleep cycle and changing their eating habits, they invariably damage their immune system. An Ohio University study has confirmed that examination stress can destroy the blood stream’s security guards.
Not only for students but also for others changes in sleeping and eating patterns will only produce disasters. Therefore, anyone sitting a public or competitive examination should take care of their immune cells in their blood.
Psychologists have suggested better revision methods. A Washington University study says students should test themselves on what they have just learned without postponing it. You will forget what you learn unless you revise it immediately. Such self-testers will be ready for the examination long before it is held.
You tend to forget much of what you learn in the classroom when you leave it. That is why you should revise what you learn on the same day. It is always fun to recall what you have learned a few hours earlier. Sometimes, you will remember the teacher’s explanations coupled with jokes add deviations. Unfortunately, many students postpone the revision until the last moment.
Therapeutic properties
It has been proved that music has therapeutic properties. In addition, listening to music can improve your academic performance. In one study, university students in the United States scored higher marks after listening to a Mozart piano sonata.
Researchers have found that classical music is ideal for students because it can coordinate the parts of the brain that control rational and creative thinking.
Many students have the practice of going through the same set of notes several times. This is clearly unproductive. The author of ‘Passing Exams’ recommends chunking down your notes by reducing the substance to a few sentences that can be remembered easily. In other words, you have to prepare short notes without depending on readymade ones available for sale.
How long should you study at a time? This can be a difficult question to answer. Some students keep on reading their notes for many hours at a stretch. This again is unproductive. Psychologists suggest the 45 / 15 rule. That means you should study for 45 minutes every hour and take a 15-minute break. If you exceed two hours without taking a break, you will feel tired.
Good night’s sleep
The night before an examination is a crucial time. This is not the time to read new material however important it appears to be. This is the best time to read your short notes and summaries. What is more, do not go on reading your short notes until the wee hours. You need a good night’s sleep to answer questions on the following day.
Top performers in examinations used to daydream about winning the battle. With such positive thoughts, you will be able to sail through the examination quite easily. If possible, entertain positive thoughts and come to the conclusion that you are going to pass the examination. With such positive thoughts, you will feel relaxed and composed in the examination hall. Always imagine that you are on the path of success.
Some students make vows to various gods or wear a charmed talisman. Although there is no proof that gods can help you to pass examinations, carrying a lucky charm may work wonders. Psychologists say such magic decreases examination stress to a certain extent. What is more, there is nothing wrong in using your ‘lucky pen’ to answer the questions!
Clear handwriting
It is obvious that clear handwriting is a major consideration as far as examinations are concerned. If your handwriting is unreadable, you are sure to lose marks. Many examiners complain that a certain percentage of answer scripts they have to mark are incomprehensible.
If you are going to sit a public or competitive examination, pay attention to the following points:
• Study the question very carefully before answering it.
• Except in mathematical questions, it is impossible to score full marks for any question. Even the most satisfied examiner will give you only about 80 percent of the full marks.
• When you are preparing for an examination, remember that it is not the number of hours you spend but how much you learn.
• If you are studying a subject such as Western Classical Culture, you will have to read a great mass of material to learn it. Do not try to tackle the whole lot in one effort. Instead read the text from the beginning to the end or split it into manageable parts and study.
• Frequency is relevant even for revision. The more often you learn something, better you will know it.
• Whenever possible, read back papers. What has been asked in examinations previously may well be asked again.
Every year, thousands of students sit the GCE O/L and A/L Examinations. They will do well if they master the above techniques meaningfully.
