Exam Tip 2

Summarise, using key words

Summarising reduces the amount of material you have to remember while helping you to learn

• Once you've studied a section, reduce the main ideas to key words that can be memorised.
• Start by deciding on the main (most important) idea in each paragraph.
  Tip: ask yourself: 'What is this paragraph/section about?'
• Rewrite the main idea in your own words; then reduce it so you're left with a short sentence.
• Then write a few key words (the supporting details) under each main idea.
• You can also use this technique to help you remember your model answers,

Distillation and re-creation

First 'distil' the material by reducing it to manageable chunks

• Identify the key words.
• Underline or highlight them.

Then re-create the information by

• Re-telling it in a different way (paraphrasing it) and/or
• Summarising it, using your own words.

How to paraphrase and summarise

Reciting aloud

Read key sections aloud – listen to yourself

• Read each section three or four times and listen carefully. Pay attention to what you're saying.
• Hide the page from view.
• Recite the main points from memory.
• Check to see if your recall was accurate.
• Repeat these steps until you can recall the information easily and accurately.
• Try recording what you say and play it back, perhaps in the car while you’re driving to work.

Test yourself

The key here is using your own words

• If you think you know something, but can't put it into you own words, you probably don't know it well enough.
• Being able to explain something in your own words is the only way to be sure that you really understand it and know it well. It's also one of the best ways of preventing exam stress.
• Set a ‘model’ exam and try it under ‘exam’ conditions; practise writing to a time limit and use your own words to answer the questions.   

Post-its

Use Post-its to help you review/remember important facts or key words

• Stick the Post-its up in places where you won’t miss them: next to the bathroom mirror, on the fridge door, next to the coffee mugs, etc.
• Each time you see a Post-it, briefly review the information.
• Move the Post-its around so you don’t become so used to seeing them that you no longer notice them.
• Use different coloured Post-its and coloured pens, symbols, etc. - this helps you to remember.  

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