If you’re thinking of procrastinating before your big exam, think again! One of the worst things you can do before an exam is to try to cram everything in at the last minute.
Not only is this stressful, but it seldom results in good grades. While procrastinating may have worked before, it won’t fly once you’re in upper secondary (especially in more challenging subjects like physics).
So whether you’re looking at your O-level exams or any other big tests in your academic career, you must study effectively to do your best. Check out our guide on how to study effectively so that you can ace that exam!
Step 1. Attend tuition.
Yes, it costs money to attend tuition. But the benefits definitely outweigh the costs – especially if you’re struggling in one of the more difficult subjects in upper secondary, like Physics.
When you attend O Level Physics Tuition, your tutor can go through the concepts with you in more detail and answer any of your questions. This is incredibly helpful when you’re trying to understand tough topics.
Plus, if you keep up with attending tuition regularly, you can help alleviate anxiety and stress (Anxiety Among Students: Causes, Effects + How Parents Can Help).
How can attending tuition help with studying for exams?
Students who go to tuition regularly have an advantage over those who don’t. This is because they’re able to get help with their studies regularly, which makes learning and understanding concepts much easier.
When it comes to exam season, students who have attended tuition will find that they don’t need to cram as much because they already have a good understanding of the material.
We recommend at least checking out Learning for Keeps Physics tuition Singapore.
Step 2. Start studying early.
The earlier you start studying for an exam, the better. This gives you more time to understand the concepts and retain the information.
If you start studying at the last minute, you’ll only feel overwhelmed and stressed out. You’re also much more likely to forget everything you’ve crammed in when you’re taking the exam.
So how early should you start studying?
The general rule of thumb is to start studying two months before the exam. But if you can start earlier, even better! Write out a study schedule for yourself and stick to it.
Set aside time each day to study, and make sure you’re taking regular breaks, so you don’t burn out. Remember, pace yourself when studying for an exam.
Step 3. Make use of resources.
Use technology to your advantage! There are plenty of online resources that can help you study more effectively.
For example, if you’re struggling to understand a concept in Physics, you can watch videos or read articles that explain it in simpler terms.
If you’re a visual learner, plenty of infographics and diagrams can help you learn better. Search the internet for helpful resources, and use them to supplement your studies.
Step 4. Find out what kind of learner you are.
If you haven’t already figured out what kind of learner you are, now’s the time to do it. This is important because you’ll be able to study more effectively if you know how you learn best.
What are the types of learners?
There are three main types of learners: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.
- Visual learners learn best when they can see the material. They’re often able to remember information if it’s presented in a visually appealing way, like through charts or diagrams.
- Auditory learners learn best when they can hear the material. They often benefit from listening to audio recordings or lectures.
- Kinesthetic learners learn best when they can physically engage with the material. They might prefer hands-on activities or experiments to help them understand concepts better.
Step 5. Take practice exams.
Most subjects will have past year papers available, so make use of them! Doing practice exams is a great way to find out how well you know the material, and it also helps with time management during the actual exam.
Tips for doing practice exams:
- Ensure you’re working under exam conditions, which means no phones or other distractions.
- Time yourself for each section of the exam, so you can get a feel for how long you have to answer each question.
- Once you’re done, check your answers against the key, and see where you went wrong.
Remember not to give up, and keep on practicing, especially with subjects requiring critical thinking and solving.
Step 6. Get a study guide.
A study guide is a cheat sheet for the exam. It’ll tell you everything you need to know to do well, and it’s an incredibly valuable resource to have.
For example, a study guide for the Physics HSC exam will tell you the key equations you need to memorize, as well as what topics will be covered in the exam.
You can usually find study guides at your local bookstore, or you can order them online. Make sure you get a study guide that’s specific to the exam you’re taking.
Extra Tip:
If you’re struggling to understand the material, consider attending tuition classes. A good tutor will be able to explain the concepts in a way that’s easy for you to understand, and they’ll also be able to answer any questions you have.
Step 7. Prioritize subjects that are worth more marks.
Before you get overwhelmed by the amount of material you have to study, take a step back and assess which subjects are worth more marks.
For example, if you’re taking the O-level exams, English is worth more marks than Maths. Physics is worth more marks than Chemistry.
Once you know which subjects are worth more marks, you can prioritize your studies accordingly.
This way, you can focus on the subjects that will give you the biggest boost in your overall score. Read on How To Prepare for O Level Exams in 5 Steps.
Step 8. Create a study plan.
After you’ve listed the subjects you need to prioritize, it’s time to create a study plan. For every subject, start by listing down the topics you need to cover.
Then, break down each topic into smaller subtopics. For example, if you’re studying Newton’s Laws of Motion, your subtopics might be:
- Inertia
- Mass
- Acceleration
- Friction
- Gravity
Once you have your subtopics, it’s time to start creating your study schedule. Leave some free time in your schedule for breaks and downtime. You don’t want to burn yourself out! After all, a good study plan should be realistic and achievable.
Step 9. Make a timetable and stick to it!
A timetable is a great way to ensure that you’re making progress in your studies. It’s also a good way to track how well you’re doing.
To make a study timetable, start by listing down the days of the week, as well as the time blocks for each day. Then, assign a subject or topic to each time block.
For example, your timetable might look something like this:
Monday
- 9am-10am: English
- 10am-11am: Math
- 11am-12pm: Science
- 12pm-1pm: Lunch break
- 1pm-2pm: History
- 2pm-3pm: Geography
And so on. Once you’ve created your timetable, make sure you stick to it! A study timetable is only effective if you use it.
How soon should you start studying for an exam?
The answer to this question varies depending on the exam. For example, if you’re taking the O-levels, you should start studying at least 3 months in advance.
If you’re taking the A-levels, you should start studying at least 6 months in advance. These are just general guidelines, though. If you’re struggling with the material or have many other commitments (like extracurricular activities), you might need to start studying even earlier.
Conclusion
And that’s it! These are just some tips on how to study effectively for an exam. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution – you’ll need to find what works best for you. But as long as you’re willing to put in the effort, you’ll be able to do well in your exams. Good luck!