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Archive - Exams: Preparing and Revising |
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Open book
Purpose
Open book exams are designed to test how well you organise, find and apply information to solve problems. They are designed to test your ability to understand, analyse and think critically rather than your memory skills.
Prepare
Revision should be focused on preparing concise notes on the ideas and concepts being tested. Prepare pointers to locate references in the texts you plan to have with you. Apply key concepts and topics to your own examples or scenarios. Compile topic summaries from your revision notes.
Become very familiar with the materials to be taken into the exam. Create an index organised around the themes of the course. Flag relevant pages with colour coded post-it notes. Place more emphasis on speedy location of information than on memorisation of information.
Practise previous exam papers under exam conditions. Practise the planning of answers and finding the necessary information quickly and accurately. After you have finished your mock exam, return to your summaries and notes and check that your answer includes all the requested information, answers the question, and is legibly written.
Exam
Check what material your can take into the exam and have all your materials organised.
Only take materials that you need into the exam. Remember you have a limited time to answer questions. Avoid overwhelming yourself and losing time by having more reference material than you need.
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