The upcoming Cambridge IGCSE and AS/A Level examinations and how to prepare for them

 

The October/November Cambridge IGCSE and AS/A Level examinations are fast approaching, with the first examinations already taking place on 28 September 2021. It is vital that students prepare themselves for these examinations.

Below are some helpful hints and tips for preparing for the examinations:

• Familiarise yourself with your examination timetable.
• Ensure that you know exactly:

             – what work will be covered in each subject;

             – the format of each examination paper;

             – the time allocation;

             – the equipment that may be needed for the examination (e.g. calculator for mathematics).

• Get copies of old examination papers and worksheets.
• By now, all your notes should be up to date and you should have all that you need to study effectively for the examinations.
• Prepare your study area. Some things to consider are:

             – have a good source of light;

             – have lots of paper available;

             – a clear work surface;

             – coloured pens if you prefer to use colour;

             – light or unobtrusive music if you prefer to learn with music.

• Keeping healthy! Eat fresh foods such as fruit and nuts. Pile up on the vegetables in the evenings and drink plenty of water and fruit juice to keep the flu at bay.  The brain needs to be fed well to perform at its optimum.
• Try not to nibble on too many chocolates and sweets while studying. 

• That said, the odd sweet or chocolate will provide an energy boost when you feel really tired. 

• Getting a good night’s rest is also important. Sleep will rejuvenate you and keep you going.

Devising a Revision Timetable:

If you plan your revision carefully, you will enjoy the feeling of being well prepared for the examinations, secure in the knowledge that you have done your best and have covered all the work.

• Create a calendar for this purpose, using bright colours/larger paper etc.
• Start by marking in the dates and times of your examinations.
• Shade in the dates and times when you know you have other commitments, e.g. sports fixtures/family function.
• Work out how much time you would need per section per subject. Remember to spend more time on those subjects you find more difficult.
• Using a pencil, begin to draw up your revision timetable by writing in the subject and the sections that you wish to cover each day.
• You could leave a revision time blank each week, as a “safety net” for work not covered as planned. This may be as a result of those unforeseen circumstances that make life interesting.
• Do not get stressed out if you don’t stick rigidly to the timetable. Sometimes you start by expecting to cover too much at one time.  The main idea is to get you to focus on the work that needs to be covered and to work towards a goal.
• Be sure to timetable rest and relaxation.
• Before changing subjects, take a longer break of about 20 – 30 minutes and try to get outside or do something different.

Study Methods:

Each one of you will have your own method of studying and it is important that you feel comfortable with your chosen style.  It is equally important that you admit if your method has not worked in the past.

Here are some tips that you may like to try out.  These are tried and tested methods.

• Start by reading through a section from beginning to end. This will give you an overview of what is to come.  Focus on headings and pictures and diagrams.
• Ask questions as to the content of the section (why, what, when, where, how and who?). This will help to get your mind in touch with the main areas within each section (e.g.  What do I need to know about this topic?  What exactly is this text about?  How does this section link up with what I have just studied?).
• Re-read the passage with the aim of answering your questions. Look up words you do not understand, refer closely to graphs and diagrams, highlight important ideas in colour, etc.  Do not try to make notes at this stage.
• Aim to check that you have understood the work. Think about the passage and focus on key points. Re-read the passage, making notes on the relevant material.  This may take the form of block notes or diagrammatic notes e.g. mind maps/spider diagrams.
• It is a good idea to redo mathematics exercises and worksheets as well as work through past papers.
• Diagrams can become excellent forms of summary in subjects such as geography and biology. A diagram should be drawn clearly with large labels for easy identification.
• When encouraging a difficulty concept, try to break it up into smaller units and talk your way through the steps of the problem.
• If you have difficulty remembering something, pin up key words on your bedroom wall or cupboard door as a constant reminder. Each time you walk past the word, stop, and ask yourself a question or two about it to trigger a response.
• In language, you need to understand the rule to apply it, e.g. rules for the past and present tense.
• Review. Aim to ensure that you remember what you have learned by reviewing worksheets/past papers/testing yourself with questions that you set or working with a friend and testing each other verbally.

Just before the examination:

• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Have a good breakfast.
• Arrive at the venue with time to spare.
• Make sure you have the right equipment, tissues, watch, etc.

During the examination:

• Don’t rush into answering questions.
• Read the instructions at the beginning to ensure that you know how to answer all the questions and how many questions to answer.
• Read through the questions carefully.
• If there is a choice of questions, make your choice carefully. Underline key words in the questions.
• Stick to the time plan given to you by your teacher.
• At the end of the examination, if you have time, read through your paper to check that you have answered all the questions.

I would like to wish all students the best with their 2021 examinations.

Julian Harrison

Cambridge Examinations Officer