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Exams

Exam Preparation Checklist
 

Practical preparations
• check time and venue of the exam and work out how to get there in good time
• have the necessary equipment ready (watch, pens etc.).
• make sure you have your LSE ID card
• either don't take your phone or make sure it's switched off in your bag!

Emotional preparations
• mentally rehearse how you will tackle the exam as a whole, and how you will deal with anxiety
• consider what might additionally help - e.g. staying away from crowds gathering outside the exam hall or arranging to have a friend distract you on the journey.
• if you require special exam arrangements please contact the Student Services Centre about these.

Memory considerations
• Review revision notes and cue cards systematically the night before the exam
• Don't attempt to learn complex new material at the last moment
• If you need to, capitalize on short-term memory by glancing at your "difficult" cue cards, just before entering the exam hall, and reproducing them immediately when you're allowed to start

In the Exam
 

 
1) Read the exam paper carefully, underlining key words and instructions. Don't panic. Many students will feel unable to answer any of the questions at this stage, due to the surge of anxiety.
 
2) Note how many questions you are required to answer; if any are compulsory or need to come out of specific sections - the format may have changed since last year.
 
3) Tick questions you intend to answer.
 
4) Make a time plan, allocating the same time to equally weighted questions and leaving time for planning and checking
 
5) Think about what order to answer the questions - easiest, favourite, and difficult to avoid getting demoralized for example.
 
6) Analyse carefully the precise wording of the questions - it is easy otherwise to end up answering a question that was not asked. Jot down the key words in the question to help you do this.
 
7) Don't rely on your memory more than you have to - jot down key ideas and use them when planning answers.
 
8) The last 5-10 minutes are, ideally, for putting finishing touches - crossing out unwanted script; ensuring that questions are clearly numbered ; and that all answer books display your identification number

What if you get stuck?

1) Don't panic! See methods to deal with panic and anxiety. Remember that if you are finding it difficult, probably so is everyone else.
 
2) With essay-type questions, take about four minutes to remember or puzzle out the answer. If that doesn't work, move on to the next question. In the meantime, if ideas for dealing with the problem question emerge, jot them down before you forget them.
 
3) With mathematical questions, it pays to stick with the problem a bit longer, say ten minutes. Sometimes it helps to think back to first principles or to represent the problem diagrammatically or more concretely; or even to think laterally, about related issues.
 
4) Remember to adjust your timetable accordingly, and to still attempt all the required questions.

After the Exam
 

1) Don't indulge in post-mortems and comparisons with others. Review what went well in your overall approach, before and during the exam including the way you handled anxiety. Aim to improve upon that in the next exam.
 
2) Take a break! It's important to have time away from revision and exams and reward yourself for working hard so you can start working hard for your next exam.

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