Understanding
leads to outstanding. Until you understand a thing, you might not thoroughly
enjoy the benefits of that thing. Examination is a discourse that needs to be
truly understood in order to make maximum use of it.
But, WHAT IS EXAMINATION? There are many
definitions of the word, “Examination”. However, Examination is the measurement
of success which is normally done under supervision. Examination measures the
ability of a student. It serves as a feedback to the teacher to ascertain the
extent of his/her input in the lives of
students.
BENEFITS OF EXAMINATIONS
There many
benefits of examinations. Among these are:
Examination
makes valuable contribution to your learning.
It helps you
find the will-power and energy to understand a subject.
It reveals the
level of your total understanding in relation to a subject.
MYTHS ABOUT PASSING EXAMINATIONS
Following the
seemingly stress associated with passing examinations, many myths have erupted
from the subject of passing examination. Among these are:
Examinations are
not the true test of knowledge.
To fail would
ruin your life.
Examination will
expose you as a fool and a fraud.
You have to know
the whole subject in detail.
If you haven’t
understood everything, it is not worth taking the examination.
Examination
questions are impossible to understand.
BUT, HEAR THE TRUTH…
i. Examinations
show up the gaps (weaknesses) in your education.
ii. Examinations are
for people with a good memory.
iii. Examinations are
for quick thinkers and writers.
iv. You have to
revise for an examination till you are exhausted.
And many others.
Nevertheless, Andrew Northedge, in the book, THE GOOD
STUDY GUIDE, (2007:342), writing on this issue stated:
…Exams do bring stress, but they are just another
part of the education process which countless people routinely cope with,
mostly successfully. To experience the least pain and achieve the results you
deserve take a practical approach. Be realistic about yourself and about what
the exam requires of you. Prepare yourself carefully and sensibly to build up
to a ‘peak performance’. Don’t waste your energies dithering about in a panic.
Just think calmly and clearly about the tasks in hand.
Thus, for this
book to be of great help to you, you must understand that failing an
examination is not the end of the world; keep your anxieties in perspective,
apply a systematic approach in your next examination and you will come out a
great success.
PRACTICAL STEPS TO TAKE IN MAKING
STRAIGHT A’s IN ANY EXAMNATIONS
Practical Step One: DECIDE TO MAKE IT IN YOUR EXAMINATION: Decision
is what guarantees distinction. Until you have decided to pass your
examinations, you are not a candidate for excellence in examination. Until you
decide, nothing donates to you. Vacuum only exists in the midst of indecision.
Indecision is the mother of stagnation. And stagnation leads to frustration and
total defeat. You must make up your mind
to pass your exams, to pass it.
Practical Step Two: ASK YOURSELF THESE FOUR BASIC QUESTIONS:
In order to make straight A’s in any examination you take, you must
consistently ask yourself these questions and come up with the required answers
for each:
1.
When Do I Study
2.
Where Do I Study?
3.
What Do I Study?
4.
How Do I Study?
1.
When Do I Study? The knowledge of when to start studying for an
examination is a requirement in the consequent success of an examination. The
discovery of ‘When’ guarantees ‘Where’ and ‘How’. Hear this: The right time to start studying for an
examination is immediately after the end of the previous examinations or at the
beginning of a term or semester. This will give you enough insight and personal
discoveries about the subject or course. Thus, at the commencement of the
teaching or lecturing of the subject or course, it will become ‘Revision’ for
you who have hitherto read the book or manual.
2.
Where Do I Study? Studying is
better done in a quiet place. A conducive environment, where there is enough
and adequate ventilation. Avoid unconducive and choky environments where you
can neither be comfortable nor concentrate in what you are studying. However,
quietness most often means to be quiet in your spirit-man. That is, being quiet
inwardly. When you have a relaxed mind, you concentrate more on your study and
achieve more results.
3.
What Do I study?
There
are a lot of materials to study: Audio, Visual, Books, Manuals, etc. However,
it is advisable to first of all concentrate on the recommended materials for
your field of study or course. Study your textbooks and other related
materials. This will yield more result to you than studying any material you
lay your hands on at the expense of the recommended materials for you at
school. Nevertheless, it is important to also study motivational books, listen
to messages that empower you to make it in life, read and study educative
magazines like “My Father’s Business Magazine” published by APPLESOFT
PUBLISHING HOUSE (To get a copy, call: +2348039335121)
and other related materials. This will enhance the rate at which you understand
your course or subjects materials.
See you in our next edition! This article is an excerpt of my latest published book (Paper back at www.amazon.com), you can order for your own copy of the book entitled , "STUDY AT EASE...How To Make Straight A's In Any Examination" (Paperback copy) by clicking on this link: http://amzn.to/1g7PvPS