10 points to help with prelims!

For a lot of students in Scotland, January is the month of 'prelims.' These are mock exams which are often undertaken when two thirds of the course has been completed. 

I often found prelims to be worse than actual exams because; 

1) there is no 'study leave', you still have to go to school as normal. There is no time off like you do for real exams. 
2) prelims are ALWAYS known to be much harder than exams. It is basically just a sneaky way of getting students to 'up their game'. If they get their grades back and they haven't done as well as they have might have expected, they are spurred on to work harder for their final exam.
3) Prelims are also just after the Christmas break. Who even made that a rule? So cruel! Studying for prelims over Christmas break shouldn't be 'a thing'. 

So I've made up a 'wee' list of advice for those sitting prelims this month.

1.) Be prepared. 'Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.' We all know it. Before you sit your prelim, even the night before, ensure you have everything you need for it. You can't ask your friend for their protractor half way through the maths exam so make sure you think of everything you might need and have this with you on the day. Also, make sure that you know your quotes, page numbers and equations off by heart and can recognise when to use them. Get someone to test you. Also, if you want to do well, r.e.v.i.s.e!!

2.) Breathe. Take the first five minutes of your prelim to calm down and just breathe. Read over the paper. Don't rush and over think. I know the exams are timed but, trust me, use this time to clear your head and breathe. Your heart rate will be soaring just from entering the exam hall so allow yourself this little window of time to calm down and chill.

3.) Plan. plan. plan. Write little notes of what you're going to write. Spider diagrams. Cartoon pictures. Cue words - whatever you like, (as long as it's appropriate!) This will really help when you've written all you can and you're wondering what you're going to write next.

4.) Hydrate. Water is so important. I know in most Scottish schools, you are allowed to take in a bottle of water (without the label) to drink. Take little sips and this will keep your brain ticking over for the duration. It really helps!

5.) Highlight. If you're sitting an English Higher, for example, highlight the important words. 'Analyse' 'describe' 'evaluate' 'compare'. Once you have written for a short while, look back and see whether you have analysed or whether you have merely described. You will get no marks for describing if it is an analysis question. The same goes for any prelim. Highlighting what the question is asking you is really going to help in how you're going to answer. Look back and see if you have answered it how they have intended you to.

6.) Time yourself. Everyone who sits exams will know this off-hand but it really does help when you are answering questions. Look at the marks available and split up your time accordingly. Be really strict with yourself. If you haven't finished answering a question but it's time to move onto the next one, do it anyway. You can always revisit any that you haven't finished if you have time at the end.

7.) Ensure every question is answered. Look over the paper when you are finished and ensure there is not a 9 mark evaluation question on the back of the paper. Exam papers normally say 'End of paper' on the back so look for this. You don't want to miss anything out. You could even tick the questions as you go along to ensure you're not missing one.

8.) Don't dwell. It is all too tempting to get out the exam hall and discuss with your friends how you found the paper and compare your answers. However, there is nothing you can do about it when you're finished the prelim and you're out of the exam hall. Don't start saying 'I could have' and 'I should have.' You will be able to get your paper back after it has been marked  and then you can evaluate how you've done. Don't dwell on it the day you get out of the exam. Let it gooo! Let it gooo!

9.) Relax. Have something to look forward to when you're finished. Go for dinner, have some friends round, go shopping or to the cinema. It is a time of stress and you need to ensure that you have some down time too after all the hard work.

10.) Most importantly, prelims are really not that important. I know there is a lot of hype, everyone - including yourself - wants you to do well and the pressure is really on. However, the most important thing is you. Regardless of what anyone else or the schools thinks, YOU are important. 

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Soooo, that's my advice for any of you guys or gals sitting prelims! All the best of luck to you all, not that you will need it! Let me know what you think and also any advice you would give to those sitting mock exams soon.

Lots of love,

Lauren

xoxo