Tips for calm and productive exams

THE Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has provided tips to help you plan better and study better for your Matric examinations or assessments.

This means even studying on weekends and during the holidays, as well as working out a study plan and strategy so as to avoid panic and being unprepared.

WCED spokesperson Kerry Mauchline said children should by now be making a study timetable.

“Draw up a special study schedule. Fifty-minute study blocks and 10-minute breaks work well.

“Select fixed study-times for every day, including a time slot over weekends. Use the school holidays wisely.

Study for at least 3 hours a day in the holidays.

“Study skills and strategies become study habits only if they are practised regularly. Break up topics into manageable sections. Estimate the time needed, and then double it.

“Decide when you work best, e.g. early morning, afternoons, evenings. Where do you like to work? Home? Library? School? Where can you work undisturbed? Set up a place for your studying – table, chair, uncluttered workspace, good lighting.

“Do you work well with others? Do you have a friend who could be your study buddy?

“How do you best remember information? Seeing? Hearing? Through action? People have different preferred learning styles, but use them all. Make your studying active by using study methods, writing, drawing, summarising. chanting or teaching your study buddy. Concentrate fully and try not to allow your mind to wander. This improves with practice.

“Avoid last-minute cramming. Arrive early and ready to begin. Read and understand the instructions. Preview the question paper and allocate your writing time appropriately. Tackle each question systematically. Write down something for every question. Set out your answers clearly.

“If you feel you are unable to answer a question, don’t panic and allow anxiety to affect how you are going to fare in the exam. Review and make corrections. Stay until the end.”

Follow this link if you need more assistance: https://wcedeportal.co.za/ resources-to-support-grade-12-learning-and-teaching

| CHRIS COLLINGRIDGE THE WCED has provided guidelines on how to study for exams.