Exam tips

Good study methods

Write model answers

First find out what sort of questions to expect in the exam

• You may find information about this in the course material and/or on the course page.
• If you're not sure about the type of questions to expect in the exams (e.g. essays, paragraphs, short answers, or multiple choice), call your lecturer/tutor on 0508 650 200 and ask.

Once you know what sort of questions to expect, try to predict possible questions

• Read through all the course/learning materials and mark possible questions.
• Read the information on the course page - are there any pointers there?
• Read all emails and posts from the lecturer/tutor - are there any hints or tips there?
• Work through old exam papers to see what sort of questions were asked in the past. But - remember to check if the course has been revised or the format of the exam has changed before relying too much on old exams papers.
• Make a list of all the possible questions that you have identified.

Work out model answers to your questions

• Start with brainstorming (perhaps use a mindmap for this).
• Sort out/order your ideas.
• Decide on an outline and write it down.
• Then fill in the gaps.

Practise writing your answers

• As most of us don’t spend a huge amount of time writing any more, sitting down and writing non-stop for a few hours (as you have to during an exam), can be very tiring.
• To prepare, simulate exam conditions and practise writing as fast as you can.
• Time yourself. Are you writing fast enough to finish the exam in the allotted time?
• Remember, not all pens are equal. Try out a number of different pens and spend some time writing fast with them. You’ll find some pens are far more comfortable to hold than others. Once you've found one or two types of pen that are right for you, buy a few so you don’t run out at a crucial time. If you find your hand gets very tired and sore, try swapping pens – this might help.

Homestay for foreign students in singapore