How to Master Examination Techniques: A Guide for Students
Dear students,
Examination is a technique, and you should master this technique for the best results. I have often observed with great sorrow that many hard-working students fail to secure good marks despite “burning the midnight oil.” What is important is not simply how much you study (time) but also how you study (method).
Learning how to study for exams effectively is a vital skill for every student at Wisdom International School.
I want to share some Do’s and Don’ts for your success:
- Offer five-time regular prayer: Always ask for help from Allah Almighty. Read the Quran with meaning and worship Allah alone.
- Be regular in class: You might have to study for hours to learn what you can grasp in just 45 minutes in the classroom.
- Daily Revision: Devote a couple of hours daily to revise what has been taught. This moves the topic into your subconscious mind. Students who try to rote-learn the entire course in just two months seldom fare well.
- Prepare Brief Notes: While studying, jot down key points and focus on conceptual clarity. Review the last ten years of question papers to understand the nature of the exam.
- The Day Before: Read your brief notes only. Avoid starting new books at this stage to prevent “examination fever.”
- Read Carefully: Select questions based on the examiner’s instructions. Analyze each question before writing.
- Answer Structure:
- If the question says DESCRIBE, give the meaning and nature.
- If it says DISCUSS or EXPLAIN, provide arguments for and against.
- Divide answers into suitable, even paragraphs.
- In the first paragraph, show you understand the question without “beating about the bush.”
- Logical Time Management: Divide your time equally among questions. Do not spend too much time on one at the cost of others.
- Tone: Use third-person narration (e.g., “It may be said in conclusion”) rather than the first person.
- Final Check: Verify your Roll No. and glance through your answers before submitting.
- Move On: After the exam, forget about the paper you just finished and focus entirely on the next one.
Compiled by: Amir Amin, Principal WISDOM INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
