Exam Tips

Listed below are some helpful exam tips to assist you to prepare for your exams and to succeed in your first semester at University…

General Preparation:

Sleep, eat a good meal and avoid alcohol

Make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before your exam. Rather than staying up all night cramming before the exam, it is better to get up early in the morning to revise your notes.

Eat a proper meal before your exam, so that your brain can function properly. Eat nutritious foods with a combination of carbohydrates, vegetables and proteins.

It may seem obvious, but avoid alcohol while you study. You need all of the brain cells you can get!

Check the time twice

Make sure you have doubled checked the time and location of the exam. You aren’t eligible for a supplementary exam if you missed the exam because you misread the timetable.

Stay healthy

Try not to over do it! Making sure you are leading a balanced lifestyle in terms of diet and workload is essential in the lead up to the exam period. If you aren’t eating properly and are stressed about the amount of study you need to do before the exam, you are more susceptible to becoming sick.

Keep perspective

Don't worry yourself to the point where your knowledge and skills are compromised by the stress.

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On the day:

Wear warm clothes

It is a good idea to where layers to an exam, including a jumper and jacket. The hub can be very cold in winter and extremely hot in summer. It is a good idea to be prepared for all seasons.

Take your student card

You must produce your student identification card, driver's licence or passport as you enter an exam venue. If you are not able to show one of these forms of identification you will be asked to go to Student Central in Building 17 to have a new student ID card produced for you, at a cost of $10, before you will be admitted to the exam venue.

No extra time will be allocated to you if you miss the beginning of the exam, so it is in your best interests to make sure that you have correct identification before you go to your exam.

Always take water

Stay hydrated and focussed during exams.

Medication

If you are prone to headaches or any other ailments take your medication with you! This may save you from having to sit a supplementary exam a few weeks later.

Allow plenty of time to get there

Minimise stress by allowing plenty of time to get to the exam, park your car (if you drive) and find the location of your exam.

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When you are there:

Getting prepared once inside

When you arrive, get what you need out of your bag, and then leave it in the designated room. You cannot access your bag once the exam has started, so make sure that you put everything you need on your desk. Make sure your pens and stationary are in a clear pencil case or snap lock bag.

Start with the easy questions

Do the easy questions that you know first and come back to the difficult ones afterwards. Jot down notes and ideas that you have about the difficult questions and come back to them after you have done the parts that you know. As you work through your exam, the answers may become clearer.

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After the exam:

Reward yourself and relax

After an exam, take some time to relax and de-stress. This is especially important if you have more exams to follow. Take your mind off of exams by hanging out with friends or seeing a movie and you will be less likely to burn out.

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What if you missed your exam?

I can’t take the exam on the scheduled day

The Special Consideration policy provides that students may apply for special consideration in advance of the exam if they find themselves unable to take an exam as a result of an illness, or for religious reasons, or if they have validated conflicts between the exam and other commitments such as their carer’s duties, court appearances or participation in sporting or cultural activities at a national or international level. In this situation you should ensure that you have supporting documentation, and apply for special consideration via SOLS as soon as you become aware of the conflict.

I couldn’t go to my exam because I was sick

You should visit a medical practitioner as soon as possible after the exam and subsequently submit an application for special consideration. Applications should be submitted within seven days of the exam, and documentation should be submitted within three days of submitting the application. Your subject coordinator will consider a request for a supplementary exam, if appropriate, and you will be advised by email of the decision.

For more information about sitting your exams and your exam timetable please visit Exams and Results