Exam Basics: Using reading time effectively
Usually before an exam begins you are given 10-15 minutes to read through the exam. This is valuable time in which to:
- get an overview of the entire exam;
- plan how much time to spend on each part of the exam;
- pay particular attention to the instructions. They will tell you: what you have to do, which questions are compulsory, which are optional, how many questions you have to answer and the mark allocations;
- select the questions that you will do and the order in which you will complete them. Mark any compulsory questions;
- consider doing multi-choice questions first as they often remind you of ideas;
- starting with an easier essay question can be a good way to “get into the exam” and to increase your confidence.
