www.phoenixhsc.co.u k Get the most out of your course and revision with Phoenix Health & Safety http://www.phoenixhsc.co.u k Revision and exam techniques
Before you start revising you must know what exams you have: How
Many When Where What Time FormatGet the most out of your course and
revision with
Phoenix Health & Safety
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It will be easier to get all the resources you need to revise well
before you start.
It will be easier if you organise and update your notes throughout
the course.
If you haven't done this, spend one evening organising and ordering
everything you have.
Preparing to Revise
Calm and quiet
Free from distraction (i.e. mobile phone, family, TV, alcohol
etc.)
Large table or desk
Stationary and other study aids course information
Keep hydrated and ensure you drink plenty of fluids.
It is important to work in a comfortable environment.
Preparing to Revise
If you have a revision timetable, fill in your study
Alternatively, make your own timetable, use a diary or wall-chart
that is specific to you.
Some people like to study early in the day, others prefer to study
later on.
Tips for Time Management
Do not intend to study all day.
Schedule breaks in your working day for fun, food, relaxation and
exercise, but not all at once
Too much work can be as unproductive as too little work. A good way
to start is to work for 50 minutes, then have a 10 minute break
every hour.
Try to give each subject equal time, do not concentrate on one
subject at the expense of another.
Do difficult tasks at times when you are at your most
productive.
Be realistic and disciplined - don't plan a schedule you can't
manage.
Be flexible - you never know when an emergency will crop up.
Leave time at the end for reviewing what you have done and what you
must still do.
Reward yourself when you achieve targets or goals.
Preparing to Revise
Revision should be as active as possible.
The best way to do this is to take the information you have and put
it into a different format.
You should also try to use as many different parts of your brain as
possible while revising.
For example, writing something in bright colours gives you a better
chance of remembering something than if you write it in black
because you are stimulating the part of your brain that deals with
colour as well as written information.
Revision Techniques
Mind Mapping
If you didn't already know, a mind map is a kind of advanced spider
diagram that makes good use of pictures, colours and spatial
relations.
Mind maps increase your chances of learning a subject because they
stimulate multiple parts of your brain.
A mind map that is constructed with thought and care will be a much
more effective learning method than a simple page of notes or a
simple spider diagram.
Mind maps are easy to construct.
You should be as imaginative as possible when you are constructing
a mind map.
Revision Techniques
Mnemonics techniques are good methods for remember key
information.
You take the first letter or each word and form another word to
remember.
Revision Techniques
Make some revision notes on small index cards.
You can carry round these prompt cards for revising in short
breaks.
Each card can contain a definition, a short list, a summary.
Don't try to fill the card with information. It will be difficult
to read - and remember..
Integrate different revision methods –remember that your brain will
associate colours, symbols, pictures, music with different
things.
Small prompt cards with key words/dates can be just as useful as a
page of notes, and you can carry them in your pocket
Revision Techniques
Write ideas and facts on cards to use as ‘prompts’
Create memory aids such as diagrams or mnemonics (e.g. SMART).
However, please remember that you can’t use your diagrams as the
sole answer in the exam; you can use it as a basis and expand it
when it comes to writing your answer.
Write key facts on pieces of cards and display them around your
house.
Study with a friend and test each others knowledge
Attend any revision classes that Phoenix HSC might be
holding.
Work through past exam papers – this will test your knowledge and
allow you to become familiar with the exam format. If there’s a
question you can’t answer then you know you need to go back and
revise that subject.
Remember to reward yourself. Use rewards as incentive to do the
revision.
Try and read around the subject that you are revising. You should
try and research aspects outside of what is taught in the classroom
to give you a broader understanding of quality.
It is also suggested that using real life examples will help
illustrate your answers more effectively. Try and think of some
examples that back up your answers in the exam.
Revision Techniques
Visual (spatial). - You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial
understanding.
Aural (auditory-musical). - You prefer using sound and music.
Verbal (linguistic). - You prefer using words, both in speech and
writing.
Physical (kinesthetic). - You prefer using your body, hands and
sense of touch.
Logical (mathematical). - You prefer using logic, reasoning and
systems.
Social (interpersonal). - You prefer to learn in groups or with
other people.
Solitary (intrapersonal). - You prefer to work alone and use
self-study.
You will probably be a combination of learning styles
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Learning Styles
Strategies to be Avoided - They do not work.
"I record the trainer on my dictaphone. If I play them
to myself while I sleep, they'll sink in and I won't
have to do any work while I'm awake.
Am I clever or what?"
"Cramming. Cram cram cram cram cram cram cram
cram cram cram cram cram cram cram cram cram cram cram."
"I work all day every day. There's no time for breaks at exam time.
That's what I've always said."
"I find that if I leave my revision as long as possible, it makes
me panic so badly that I do everything really quickly and save
myself loads of time."
"I just revise a few topics from each subject. I'm a lucky guy,
There's always something I can answer when I do that."
"Revise? I don't have to revise, I remember it all the first time
round, and if I can't remember, then it's not worth knowing."
Revision Techniques
Using Past Papers to Revise
Passing exams is as much about technique as it is about
knowledge.
Understand the style of the questions and scoring criteria
You need to practice your timing as well as your recall of
knowledge.
To start with, compare the notes you have against the questions
asked on your example test questions.
Make sure you have enough material to be able to answer all the
questions.
Exam Techniques
Day before the exam:
Use your revision tools (e.g. diagrams, mnemonics, prompt cards
etc) to check facts
Keep calm – don’t try to learn new topics so close to an
exam.
Don’t stay up all night.
Exam Techniques
Answering Questions
Read through the paper and any instructions carefully – Before
looking at the actual questions, read the instructions and complete
any compulsory information (name, date etc).
Work out the timing – Divide your time according to the number of
questions to be answered. Split it proportionately if you have some
questions (or parts of questions) which attract more marks than
others.
Read the questions carefully. Read through the paper once and then
re-read each question. You might think a topic you've revised
hasn't come up, when it is there but the wording is unusual.
Understand the concept of the question.
Choose your best questions - Mark any questions you might answer,
and then check that you fully understand it. Do you have some
relevant knowledge, ideas and evidence for the ones you choose to
answer?
Decide on question order. Some people like to start with the topic
they know best to give them a good start
Read through your paper and analyse your answers:- filling in gaps,
correct any errors
Exam Techniques
Maximising your marks
Think about what the question is actually asking. What are you
expected to include in your answer? What material will be relevant?
The most common complaint from markers is that the student didn't
answer the question.
Plan before you write – The stress of working under time
constraints in the exam room can make all your good study
intentions disappear. However, this is when it's more important
than ever to get your ideas across clearly and concisely. Take a
few minutes to think and plan:
Underline the key words in the question;
Identify the main topic and discussion areas..
Choose a few points/arguments about which you can write .
Make a mini-plan which puts them in order before you start writing.
You can cross it through afterwards.
Referencing in exams – You should be able to refer by name (spelt
correctly!) legislation in your topic. You are not expected to give
specific sections of the acts/regulations.
What to do if your mind goes blank – most students fear this
happening. If it does – put your pen down, take a deep breath, sit
back and relax for a moment. If you're in the middle of an answer,
read through what you have written so far – what happens next? If
you have to remember formulae, try associating them with pictures
or music while revising. If you really can't progress with this
answer, leave a gap. It will probably come back to you once you are
less anxious.
If you are running out of time – don't panic. Look at the questions
you have left to answer and divide up your remaining time to cover
them all. Be very economical – make one point support it with
evidence and then move on to the next point. If you really can't
finish in time, briefly list the points you wanted to make – they
could pick you up a few marks.
Exam Techniques
Maximising your marks
Presentation - Handwriting and grammar do not lose or gain marks,
however it has to be readable! Remember that the exams are marked
by humans so the easier it is to mark, the easier it is to give
marks for.
Action Verbs - Take note of the “action verb” at the start of each
question. As a general rule, if a question asks you to “Identify”,
“state" or “list” then a simple list will do. If however, the
question asks for “outline”, “describe” or “explain”, then your
answer should be in sentences, preferably with an example to
illustrate.
Keep it Brief - We have already said that you must comply with the
action verb, but do not be tempted to waffle on or give long
introductions to your answer – this is not required. There are no
marks for “star quality” – just answer the question.
“Bankers” - This is important. There are certain answers which will
be relevant time and time again, for example: risk assessment,
training, supervision, PPE etc. Put reproducing this list without
relating it to the specific question will not gain marks
“Outline the precautions to be taken when a minor repair is to be
carried out on a fragile roof”.
Carry out a risk assessment – 0 marks
Carry out an initial risk assessment to identify the hazards from
roof work and decide on the necessary precautions – 1 mark
Provide adequate information, instruction and training – 0
marks
Provide information, instruction and training on the hazards and
associated precautions involved in roof work – 1 mark
Exam Techniques
describe - give a word picture
explain - give a clear account of, or reasons for
give - provide without explanation (used normally with the
instruction to ‘give an example [or examples] of ...’)
identify - select and name
list - provide a list without explanation
outline - give the most important features of (less depth than
either ‘explain’ or ‘describe’, but more depth than ‘list’)
sketch - provide a simple line drawing using labels to identify
specific features
state - a less demanding form of ‘define’, or where there is no
generally recognised definition
Exam Techniques
Start early, the earlier the better.
Be organised, make a timetable.
Revise where you are most comfortable.
Use techniques that are the best for you.
Take regular breaks to digest and process
information