Revising, exams and assessment
Are your revision and exam techniques a bit rusty? These resources will help you through the whole process from planning your revision to the last few tasks before you leave the exam room. Remember it’s never too late or too early to start preparing.
Preparing for examinations
Being successful in your exam or end-of-module assessment starts with preparation and active revision.
- Alternative arrangements for your exam - if you have a disability or difficulties attending the exam centre.
Revision
- Revising at different times - begin during the module, start early before the exams and review as you progress.
- Gathering revision material - use a range of material such as, summary notes, video and audio.
- Finding out about the exam paper - helps you to focus on topics to revise.
- Revision planning - approach revision by breaking it up into stages.
- Where to revise - be comfortable and use every opportunity.
Revision techniques
- Retrieving what you know - there are lots of different methods for example recall, notes and mnemonics.
- Visual techniques for revision - mind maps and learning posters.
- Summarising for revision - use audio recordings, summary sheets or cards.
- Quick reviews for revision - games, quizzes and part answers.
- Rehearsing exam answers - practise the process of answering exam questions.
- Revising with others - teaching as a revision technique, study groups.
- Revision tips for language students - to make you more fluent and confident.
Written exams
- Practical preparations - know what to expect and plan how to get there.
- Exams – remaining positive - changing negative thoughts into positive ones.
- At the exam centre - help to feel confident and settled.
- Taking the exam - thinking about the first 10 minutes and the question paper.
- Planning your answers in exams - planning ahead and checking.
- At the end of the exam - the last few tasks before leaving the hall.
Oral exams
- Tips for oral exams - how to prepare for languages exams
- On the day itself - strategies for coping with an oral presentation
End-of-module assessment (EMA)
EMAs are used on some modules instead of a traditional examination. EMAs feel different from an examination because they are often completed at your home and at your own pace. Refer to your module materials to find out how your EMA will be conducted.
Course results
How to find out about your results.
Managing stress
Preparing assignments, revising and taking exams can make you feel anxious and stressed. Download and listen to our ideas for dealing with revision and the exam or use the relaxation exercises.
- Coping with stress - audio to help deal with stress.
- Visualisation techniques for dealing with stress - Methods to help you relax and be positive.
- Self talk for dealing with stress - Using positive self talk.
Booklet
This booklet complements what you will find on this website. If you are an OU student and would like a printed copy of this booklet, contact your regional centre.
You will need your OU computer username and password to access the booklet.
Remember
Exam techniques are something that you can learn about and practise just like other study skills.
Use the assessment calculator, available for most modules, to estimate your overall continuous assessment score at any stage prior to the release of module results, before substitution. If you have any queries, contact your nearest regional centre or the Assignment Records Office at Walton Hall.
Make life easier
If you use your computer for studying you may want to view our demonstration about how to create a folder and save a document on your computer.
Lost a file on your computer? our demonstration may help you search for your document.