HOW TO MAKE STRAIGHT A's IN ANY EXAMINATION

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