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Final Preparations

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Making the best possible use of the remaining days before the start of the examinations is of crucial importance. If you are feeling stressed or anxious reassure yourself that you have covered a lot and that you still have valuable time left for last-minute revision which can make a great difference. Noting the following points should help you manage the examination in an effective manner:
  • Have a positive attitude. Believe in yourself and in your ability to do well.
  • Stick up the exam timetable in a prominent place in your study area, with dates, subjects and times highlighted in three different colours. Before and during the course of the exam you will need to consult it several times. It is also a good idea to stick one up in the kitchen for the rest of the family.
  • Base your last-minute revision plan on your exam timetable, when making out your plan take into account the order in which you are sitting your subjects. If you are taking subjects like Classical Studies and Economics that are timetabled towards the end of the examination you will more than likely have free days for last minute revision of these subjects. Give priority to the earlier subjects like English, Irish and Maths.
  • Keep your revision materials - cards, loose pages, copies, files etc. for each subject well organised, accessible and well separated from each other. A lot of time can be wasted looking for items and panic can set in if you have to search for what you need. Remember to put them back in order each time you finish with them.
  • Now is also the time to concentrate on your weakest subject since it could be the one that will pull down your points. It is advisable to spend some time each day working on it.
  • For each subject make a list of the topics that you still need to revise. Make a timetable for that revision and tick off each item as you have dealt with it.
  • Continue to familiarize yourself with past examination papers. Continue to do questions from these papers and time yourself on each one.
  • Attempt a full examination paper in each subject at least once. This will give you valuable experience, increase your confidence, help you manage your time in the actual examination and highlight areas that need your immediate attention.
  • Ask your family to keep noise and distraction to a minimum. Study in silence - research has shown that background music interferes with one's ability to remember material studied.
  • During these final days do not hesitate to ask for help. Ask your teachers about areas and concepts, which you find difficult. Ask your family and friends for help with these also.
  • Manage the run up to the exam in the way you feel is best for you. You may like to work for short stints and take frequent breaks or you may prefer to do long sessions with few breaks. Whatever your preference try to get some fresh air and exercise during the breaks as this helps to maintain your stamina and concentration.
  • Though you may want to throw yourself wholeheartedly into revision right up to the last moment it is essential to get adequate sleep the night before each exam. Have a warm bath. Add three to five drops (maximum) of essential oil of lavender to a full bath of warm water and stir it round before you get in. Play some soothing music while you soak. This should help you relax, sleep soundly and wake up refreshed ready to tackle any exam.
  • Before retiring each night make arrangements about who is to call you and have your own alarm set as a back up. If you arrive late you will not be allowed into the exam hall.
  • Arrive on time at the exam centre. The night before, note the starting time of each exam as it can vary from day to day. Work out how long it takes to get from home to the exam centre in both morning and afternoon and allow for varying traffic patterns. If possible walk to the centre. If you must be driven try to travel with someone who is relaxed. It is important not to allow other people's anxiety to affect you.
  • The night before check that you have the necessary equipment for the particular subject/s. Pens, pencils, ruler, eraser, pencil sharpener, mathematical instruments etc. should be kept in a case or box and put in your bag the night before. A mad search for these in the morning will not help your composure for the day.
  • When you enter the exam hall and find your place, sit down, look around and "make yourself at home" in that place.
  • Wear comfortable clothing. If you are wearing your school uniform make sure you can adapt it to changes in room temperature.
  • Have a drink on your desk - as well as quenching your thirst it can help your energy levels and soothe frayed nerves.
  • The night before each exam check the layout of the previous year's examination paper and be completely familiar with its layout. This familiarity will be of great assistance to you when you get your actual paper.
  • Be aware which questions are optional and which are compulsory; note sub-sections in questions and be on your guard for "either or" questions.
  • It is a good idea to make out in advance a rough plan of the sections and questions you intend answering. You will of course have to be flexible depending on what comes up.
  • When you have completed your rough plan look at the overall time allowed for the paper and work out the time you can allow per question. Allocate time per question in proportion to the marks per question. Write the times on to your plan and internalize them. Do your best questions first and work progressively to your weakest.
  • Do not go over time on questions about which you know a great deal. You can only get the maximum marks allocated to that question despite how much you write.
  • Have a reliable watch on your desk or on your wrist so that you can see the time at a glance.
  • When you get your exam paper do not rush into writing; instead take time to select your questions carefully.
  • If the paper is very different from what you had expected there can be a tendency to panic. Never panic. Pause for a few moments, take some deep breaths and then read the paper again. It will appear much more manageable after the second reading. Never think you know nothing about a topic, after two years of studying a course you know a great deal. Allow time for your knowledge to seep back into your consciousness.
  • Use your rough work to the full, particularly when you are struggling with a question. When you jot down a point it very often helps another to follow. Gradually you can build up quite a good answer by organising your points and eliminating those that are irrelevant. Always make the most of what you know and present it well.
  • Answer the question you are asked. Read the question a number of times to establish what you are being asked. Underline key words in the question as that will help you structure your answer.
  • Never leave the examination hall early. Use all the time available to you and always leave time at the end for checking back on your work.
  • As you finish each exam and chat to your friends about it after coming out of the exam hall, forget it and move on to the next exam. Dwelling on regrets achieves nothing.
  • Finally, if you are thinking of using the change of mind form to alter your CAO course choices leave it until the exam is over. You will still have time to give it some thought and get it back to Galway before July 1st.
Go n-éirigh an t-ádh libh go léir!

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