How to Do Well on Your End Of Year Examination

Co-authored by Nathan Fox, JD

Last Updated: October 11, 2021

Do you have an end of year examination that you're nervous about? If so, don't let it make you feel anxious and read this article.

Method 1

Method 1 of 14:
Know when the exam is.

1
Surely, the most simple thing. You need to know what's coming in order to know how to react to it. Knowing when it is will help you set your pace and even save a lot of panic!

Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 14:
Collect your notes.

1
Collect all the notes you need (or think you need) and organise them neatly, according to subject and maybe even by topic. This will save you a lot of time and trouble. No excuses to run around looking for missing notes. Get them ready before the next step. This can also reduce a large amount of stress when it comes closer to the exam as you know where everything is.

Method 3

Method 3 of 14:
Set a target.

1
Know your exam schedule well. Study first the subjects that you're not very good at, take a lot of time, or are nearing. This also depends on how much time you have. If time is on your side, great. Pace yourself and conquer subject by subject. But if time is not on your side, go through the important parts and think summary!

Advertisement

Method 4

Method 4 of 14:
Study for it.

1
Sit down on a chair. Make sure you have good lighting. Fluorescent light flickers, although you don't notice it: it makes your eyes tired faster. Have a good table light by your side. Occasionally, get up and stretch, have a glass of water and take a toilet break.
- Your body has an optimum hour. For some, it's in the morning, afternoon or even night. Whatever it is, make use of the time to absorb as much as you can.^{[1]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Nathan Fox, JD
  Academic Tutor
  Expert Interview. 15 November 2019.}

Method 5

Method 5 of 14:
Make a mind map.

1
Sometimes people find that mind mapping helps them have a clearer view of the topic they are studying. However if you find this a hassle, you can take notes. Post-it notes can be useful in highlighting certain sections of an article you find useful or important.

Advertisement

Method 6

Method 6 of 14:
Take a walk.

1
It does work. Take in some fresh air but don't spend an eternity outside! Your mind needs a break as well. Pushing in too much won't work either.
- Remember—you have to take care of yourself, even if you have a big test coming up.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Nathan Fox, JD
  Academic Tutor
  Expert Interview. 15 November 2019.}

Method 7

Method 7 of 14:
Rest well.

1
Although your optimum study time might be at night, it won't work if you're up till the early hours of the morning studying as well.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Nathan Fox, JD
Academic Tutor
Expert Interview. 15 November 2019.} Set a time and tell yourself that after a certain hour, you need to go to bed. Don't overdo things. Make sure you finish what you're supposed to finish e.g. homework in the afternoon before you study.

Advertisement

Method 8

Method 8 of 14:
Take breaks.

1
For example, for every hour take ten minutes. After your break, make sure you study and don't slack off as the momentum has to keep going.

Method 9

Method 9 of 14:
Do some past papers.

1
Work through old exam papers and then repeat them as most exams only change the words but the answers are very similar, so you may have a glimpse of what is coming in the exam and you don't need to panic if you see a difficult question - you've already done it before!
- If your school does not provide these exam papers, you can try printing them online, or you can buy assessment books from a bookshop.
Advertisement

Method 10

Method 10 of 14:
Don't be afraid to ask for help.

1
If you're still having trouble ask someone you trust, or you think is clever to help you. They must be willing and able. You can ask teachers, parents or a school counselor, as long as they are willing to help. Ask your teachers for advice if you need help with something. Always ask because the information that the teachers give you will definitely help you.

Method 11

Method 11 of 14:
Read through each section of your textbooks.

1
Every day, study a new section of it and write summaries at the end.

Advertisement

Method 12

Method 12 of 14:
Create flashcards.

1
If you don't want to write them out, you can always use flashcards on different websites. www.dictionary.com has flashcards on different topics and you can also make your own. Cue cards may also help for last-minute revision.

Method 13

Method 13 of 14:
Pay attention in class.

1
If you don't, then you will not know what the teacher is talking about and you can't study/revise when you go home. Some teachers will give extra information that might be in your examination, and if you miss it, you might not earn a good grade in the exams.

Advertisement

Method 14

Method 14 of 14:
Put any distractions away!

1
Leave your phone or any devices away from you to avoid distractions like text messages, email, etc.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I study for different subjects at the same time?

Community Answer

You don't. You need to focus on one subject at a time. You can set aside a designated amount of time to study each subject, then move on to the next.
Question

I keep procrastinating on my studies because my exam isn't for a couple of months. How can I budget my time?

Community Answer

Remind yourself that a little but of studying every day is much easier and more manageable than a ton of studying crammed into a few weeks. If you start studying now, even for just 30 minutes or so a day, you'll find the process to be much less stressful.
Question

How do I study for mathematics?

Community Answer

Ask your teacher for a revision list so you know what to revise for. Then, highlight the parts on that list that you think you might struggle with: algebra, for instance. Work on the highlighted subtopics more.
Question

How long should I review each day if the exam is a month away?

Community Answer

You should study about an hour per subject each day, taking a ten minute break in between subjects.
Question

How many days should I spend reviewing before the exam?

Community Answer

About 10 days seems to work for many people. Plan on studying a new topic everyday, but don't start a new one until you understand the previous one.
Question

How can I make flash cards?

Community Answer

Get a bunch of index cards, or cut a sheet of paper into smaller squares. Write the question on one side, and the answer on the other. If you are quizzing yourself on vocabulary, you can write the word on one side, and the definition on the other.
Question

How do I study if I only have my notebooks and not the textbooks?

Community Answer

Study your notes and then go online to see if you can find any videos on the topic. While you are watching the videos, take notes so that you can review them later.
Question

How many hours should I study for my exam if I have a week or two left before it?

Community Answer

Do the usual one hour a day, but be sure to leave gaps in between. Pay attention and ask for your teacher to explain if you don't understand.
Question

How do I create a mind map?

Community Answer

Draw a circle or box in the center of a page and then draw lines coming out of it. Write down the main idea in the circle of box, and the key facts/ideas at the ends of the lines.
Question

How many hours should I study before the day of exams?

Community Answer

It really depends on how well you know the material, and how many exams you have. Study until you feel confident in your knowledge of the material. Start with the hardest subjects or the ones you are most behind on.

Warnings

No matter how well you studied, always review! Even if you're sure, you may miss something.

Thanks!
Helpful 47 Not Helpful 5
Do not hold off studying until a week or two before the exam. Be prepared.

Thanks!
Helpful 45 Not Helpful 9