Tag Archives: examinations

November is closer than you think…

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Kia orana kotou, when you are planning your revision for external exams it helps to know exactly when each exam is, how much time you will have between exams and whether or not exams are in the morning or afternoon.

The NCEA examination timetable for 2013 can be found here:

http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/qualifications/ncea/ncea-exams-and-portfolios/external/national-secondary-examinations-timetable/

You can also check it out on your smartphone by going to:

timetable.nzqa.govt.nz

 

Key study tip #4 – 1 week and counting!

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Now that NCEA is drawing ever closer your revision planning should include more and more practice of what you will be asked to do in your exams.  That means answering questions with less and less reliance on your notes to help you.  The conditions under which you study should also mimic the conditions of the exam room – sustained quiet while you work, maintaining concentration for longer and longer sessions – up to 3 hours at a time!  You can’t nibble on treats during exams or keep stopping to check your facebook page, cell phone or watch TV so practise the art of ‘going without’ as well.

Treat yourself like an athlete before the big day.  Prepare yourself:

  • mentally – revise your notes and practise exam questions
  • physically – get plenty of sleep, eat healthy food and drink water regularly every day.  A bit of exercise each day is a good idea too and keep to your usual routines.
  • emotionally –  don’t panic or  give up.  Ask for help and support if you need it from teachers, parents, knowledgeable friends.

Key Study Tip #2 five weeks out from NCEA exams

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If you haven’t already done so, NOW is the time to organise the place where you can do your best work revising for exams. You should already have a plan in place of what you intend to revise and when (Tip #1), but WHERE is also important.  You need somewhere free from distraction.  In front of the TV or Youtube doesn’t cut it!  AND if you are someone who likes to shut out the world by playing music while you revise, then pick the slowest and most melodic songs from your playlist.  In fact classical music is the best option for supporting your genius thinking but I know this may not be a realistic option.  Your own quiet space with all the things you need to study is best and let the rest of your family know (politely) when to respect your need to focus on “learning stuff off by heart”.  Of course this does lack some credibility if it is a last minute panic the night before an exam!

NOTE: In terms of all the things you need to study, NOW is also the time to ensure you have all the notes you should have.  If there are gaps then it is up to you to fix this by begging from a reliable friend or your teacher.

So, to recap, by now you know

  • WHAT you are going to study and
  • WHEN as well as
  • WHERE you will be doing this to maximise the results of your efforts.

The road to NCEA

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Key study tip 6 weeks out from NCEA exams: 

Make a plan!! I know it sounds kind of obvious but get a calendar you can edit; either old school pen and paper or online digital version. (there are heaps you can find online)

  1. Focus on October and November – either print or save these 2 months.  (I suggest print so you can put it on a wall and see it often!)
  2. Write in dates of deadlines you already know, activities that you are already committed to, NCEA exams and times.
  3. Work backwards from your last exam to plan the revision you will do in the time that is left; what will you study on which days.
  4.  Break up revision into topics or individual standards rather than whole subject areas – it will look more manageable and give you a realistic picture of the time you have left to revise for each standard.
  5. You may also break your days up into blocks for different topics.

2012 NCEA Examination Timetable

A great place to find resources and information to help you with English (AND Maths!) is Studyit .  Click on the link to take you to this site specially designed to help New Zealand students as they prepare for NCEA.