PRESET PACESETTERS INSTITUTE THEME: HOW TO PREPARE FOR EXAMINATION

1. PRESET PACESETTERS INSTITUTETHEME: HOW TO PREPARE FOR EXAMINATION

2. WHAT IS EXAMINATION

3. DEFINITION: • A test designed to assess somebody’s ability or knowledge in a particular subject or field. • Any planned means of evaluating the ability and academic stands of a person – a student, job seeker, promotion seeker, admission seeker etc.

4. TYPES OF EXAMS and other assessments. • Entrance exams. • Terminal exams. • Mock exams. • Final exams (BECE/WASSCE). • Class exercise.

5. Class test. • Home work.

6. FORMS OF EXAMS • Oral (English/French/Interview). • Written. • Practical.

7. BENEFITS OF EXAMS • It shows a student’s level in a particular topic or subject and gives the way forward. • It helps students to graduate from one level of education to another. • It help gain admission into a school. • It helps gain employment. • It help get promotion at work.

8. RESOURCES NEEDED BY A CANDIDATE FOR EXAMS • Get them ready so you don’t need to borrow them in the exams hall. • The resources needed depend on the type of exam one is going to write and so vary from exam to exam but generally, you may need the following:

9. Pens (at least 2). • Pencil (more than 1). • Eraser. • Calculator (for calculating subjects). • Long ruler • Mathematical set.

10. BEFORE EXAMS • Prepare well before the exams. • Get all resources needed for preparation and exam.

11. RESOURCES NEEDED FOR PREPARATION • Relevant text book. • Past questions. • Pen. • Pencil. • Exercise books. • Jotters. • Syllabus. • Time.

12. HOW DO I PREPARE FOR EXAMS

13. Set ‘SMART’ targets with regards to your strength e.g. English - B2 Math - A1 Social Studies - C4 Int. Science - B3 NB: You need to prepare seriously towards it. S - Specific M - Measurable A - Achievable R - Realistic T - Time bound

14. HOW DO I PREPARE TOWARDS MY TARGET

15. KNOW YOURSELF BY: Identifying your strengths and weaknesses and building upon them.

16. HOW DO I ADDRESS MY WEAKNESSES ON A SPECIFIC SUBJECTS:

17. Look for causes of your weaknesses. • Lack or inadequate resources i.e. time, books etc. • Laziness. • Too much playing. • House chores. • Fear and lack of interest in the subject.

18. Alot enough time for the subject • Draw a personal time table. • Get all resources needed if resources are your problem. • If house chores are your problem, talk it over with your parents/guardians let them know its effect on your learning. • Know that EVERY subject is needed before you get admission to most tertiary institutions.

19. Know the relevant topics to be covered. • Revise the topics in note made in class, text book, internet etc. • Join and learn in study groups.

20. HOW DO I REVISE MY LESSONS

21. Practice the SQ3R theory S: Study . Q: Question. R: Read; books, materials from the net. R: Review. R: Regroup; Solve Past questions, questions in text books, questions given in class etc. • By: writing essays, calculating, drawing etc. • Compare your answers to correct ones in books, show your solutions to teachers etc. • Sleep for six(6) hours the night before the day of the exam.

22. ON THE DAY OF THE EXAMS; WHAT SHOULD I DO?

23. Wake up early and prepare if the exam is to be written in the morning • Remember to take all resources needed for that particular paper • Be at the exam centre by 40 minutes before the start of the paper • Check to make sure you do not carry any forbidden material with you to the exam hall

24. DURING THE EXAM: • Pray. • Respect and obey the invigilator. • Read and obey all instructions on the question paper and answer booklet. • Do not attempt to teach or be taught. • Do not ask a friend any question; ask the invigilator. • Try to work within the required time.

25. FORMS OF EXAMINATION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND THEIR EXPECTATION/REQUIREMENT

26. List:Write without explaining. You may not need to number the items. This is the same as itemize. • Enumerate:List and number the items. • Explain: Write an essay type of answer. You need to define, give examples e.g. figures, charts, sketches etc. • How do you understand:This is the same as “explain”. • Tabulate: Display your answer on a table. • What is: Define and give a brief explanation. • Discuss: Talk about all dimensions e.g. advantages and disadvantages of the issue and show your stand.

27. State:- Your response must be at least a sentence. Make the point and give a brief explanation. • Analyze/examine: Name what is to be examined or analyzed, explain-and draw a conclusion. • Differentiate/distinguish between: Give the differences between the item. • Compare and contrast: Talk about the similarities and difference.

28. (13) Define: Write a brief meaning of the term. (14) Outline: Give answers/steps/processes in steps where needed but if not needed write your processes linked with connectives (however, also, furthermore) (15) Give at least: Give a bit more than the number stated. (16) Give at most: Do not exceed the number stated.

29. Apart from writing answers, what else is required of me?

30. Write your name. • Write your class (where needed). • Write the subject name. • Write the date of the exams. • Write the index number (mock & final exams). • Write question numbers at the appropriate places. • Write question numbers in order in which you write them. (mock & final exams). • Fasten all supplementary answer sheets on/in the answer booklet.

31. WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER ALL THESE STEPS?

32. Read over your work and make corrections where and when needed • Make sure rough works in the answer booklet are neatly crossed out • Do not leave the hall until you are asked to do so • Make sure you personally hand over your answer booklet/paper to the invigilator before you leave

33. DO I STILL HAVE ANY TASK TO PERFORM AFTER THE EXAM?

34. Yes, pray for the marker. • Assess yourself (after the entire exam). • Keep question papers securely for future use.

35. SUMMARY OF TIPS AND TRICKS

36. Never fear or hate exams. • Believe in yourself that you can pass. • Prepare a good time table and manage your time well. • Select a proper atmosphere for studying. • Make note while studying. • Sleep at least 6 hours the night before exams. • Write and present well; what you write speaks about you. • Never malpractise in exams hall. • Believe in God; pray before each paper.

37. QUESTION TIME QUESTION TIME