How to prepare for an exam
This interactive online tutorial will help you learn how to prepare for an exam.
How to survive an exam
This interactive online tutorial will help you learn what to do in an exam.
Be prepared
Whether you're taking an exam online using special software, at home under timed conditions, open book or in an exam room on campus, you need to prepare. Before your exam or test, find out:
- how long you have to complete your exam or tests
- how many marks the exam is worth
- what sort of questions you will be asked.
Once you know what to expect, you can create a timetable and organise your study resources and lecture notes.
Your exam may be based on past exam papers. Look at previous exam papers in the library to get a sense of the types of questions you will be asked and topics that will be covered.
Online exam technical requirements
Tell everyone in your household about the exam and ask them for dedicated quiet time during your exam. If you have a poor internet connection, ask them not to use the internet during the exam.
Check the tablet, laptop or computer you're using for the exam is functioning, fully charged and plugged in. If possible, prepare a backup device just in case.
Make sure you know the exam time, how to submit the assessment online and how to begin and finish the exam. Find out what resources, course materials, books and software you can use during the exam. Prepare them in advance.
If you're using any special software for the exam, make sure it is correctly installed and practice using the software. If you're unsure, check with your course coordinator.
Ask your lecturer any exam-related questions before the exam. Find out who you can contact and what to do if you encounter any technical issues during your exam.
Rules for exams
Know the rules you need to follow if you're sitting exams at Massey.
Online exam checklist
Some exams at Massey are online. Learn what to expect, how to prepare and where to get information about online exams.
Extra assistance & alternative arrangements
Apply to get extra assistance if you're eligible, like extra time, a writer or reader or other exam help.
Answering questions in the exam
Organising yourself and your time in an exam is critical to successfully completing the exam. We strongly recommended that you follow these steps in your exam.
Check the exam question or exam paper
If you have any problems or if your examination paper is incomplete, inform the exam officials as soon as possible.
Online exam
- Check the course number to confirm you have the right exam.
- Check the number of questions you should have to confirm that it is complete.
- If any additional software or materials are required, make sure you have them.
Physical exam
- Check the paper number at the top of the page to confirm you have the right exam.
- Check the number of pages you should have. Count the pages you have to confirm that you have everything.
- If any additional materials are required, make sure you have them. For example, formula sheets, maths tables or extra paper.
Read the instructions at least twice
- Check which questions or sections are compulsory.
- Check for words that indicate you have options, such as 'either,' 'and' or 'Choose Two (2)'. Do not waste time and marks completing both essays if you had the choice of 2.
- Check for specific instructions, such as 'All working for calculations must be shown'.
Allocate your time for each question
Allocate your time for each question depending on how much it is worth, the type of question and whether the section is compulsory.
- If a section is worth 60 marks out of 100, allocate 60% of your time to completing it.
- If that 60-mark section is divided into 3 questions, spend 20% of your time on each question.
- Multi-choice questions can be done quicker than essay questions – allocate more time to long-answer questions.
- Calculate a timeline for completing questions and stick to it. If you spend too much time on a difficult question, you may not have enough time for easier questions later.
Example exam time management worksheet
- Convert the number of hours into minutes (1 hour = 60 minutes)
- Take off 10 to 20 minutes for planning at the beginning of the exam. Take off 10 minutes for reviewing at the end of the exam.
- Divide the remaining minutes by the total number of marks. This is the total time you have for each mark.
- Work out how much time you have for each question and when you need to move on to the next one.
| Question | Marks |
Time required (=marks x 1.5 min) |
|---|---|---|
| (Planning time) | - | 20 min |
| Section A | 20 | 30 min |
| Section B | 30 | 45 min |
| Section C | 50 | 75 min |
| (Review time) | - | 10 min |
| Total | 100 | 180 min |
Tips for time management
- Planning your time will help you not to panic.
- Write down your time plan before you start planning.
- Cross each time off as it passes.
- Move to the next question on time, even if you haven't finished a section – you can always return to it.
- If you finish a section early, move on to the next one.
Decide what order you are going to complete your questions in
- Answer the questions you feel most confident with first.
- Make sure you complete the compulsory questions.
Write down a memory dump on scrap paper
Before you start answering, write down a 'memory dump' of everything you remember for the questions you've chosen to complete. You can then focus on writing your answer well, based on the information you have noted down. If you remember additional information, you can add it into your answer later.
- Use the memory dump as a reference within the exam.
- Use mind maps as a quick way of getting information down.
This technique does not work well with multi-choice questions.
Start writing
You have limited time to complete the exam and impress your marker, so write as much as possible in the time you have.
Types of exam question
You may be asked to answer several different types of questions in your tests and exams, including:
- essay questions
- short answer questions
- multi-choice questions
- problem or computational questions
- case-study or scenario questions
- oral questions.
