When it comes to preparing for your end-of-unit assessments and exams, sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin. Here are some simple strategies to make sure you’re ready to perform your best.

Assessments

• Write down important assessment information and key dates in your diary so you can see your assessment timeline at a glance. Block out time leading up to the due dates specifically for revision, and stagger your revision according to the order of your due dates.
• It’s always best to keep up with course content from Week 1 of the study period, but if you’ve fallen behind, go through the course materials methodically over the course of a couple of weekends and write your own summaries.
• Now is the time to look back at the feedback you’ve received on prior assessments or reach out to your unit chair to get some new feedback. You can also chat to our Study Support team to get advice on how you can improve your work from looking at past assessments.

Exams

• Familiarise yourself with Deakin’s exam rules and procedures and double check your exam times and locations. All the important information can be found on our exams webpage.
• Complete past practice exams. The more sample questions you attempt, the less chance that you will be surprised on the day. You can access past exams through the Library.
• Flashcards, posters, audio notes and mind maps are some other ways you can revise effectively. This article has more tips for preparing for your exams.
• Spend the evening before the exam reading your notes, planning your schedule for exam day, doing some exercise and getting a good night’s sleep. Don’t cram – it can result in you being tired for your exam and you may not retain the required information.
• Anxiety in the lead-up to an exam is common. Some anxiety can actually be beneficial in an exam: it can improve alertness and provide the burst of energy needed to get through a demanding situation. Breathing exercises, positive thinking and practising mindfulness are techniques you can use in the exam to help you avoid becoming overwhelmed.

And don’t forget to reward yourself with something special after you’ve completed everything!