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How to prepare adequately for your final KCSE exams.

  

Date Posted: 9/25/2012 9:43:39 AM

Posted By: Kitavi  Membership Level: Gold  Total Points: 1987


I'm hoping that you are preparing well for the exams with the reality that the exams have to be done. I also hope you have a revision plan. The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exam covers the entire four-year period of school. As a result the workload is usually enormous and only wise students manage to pull through. Unlike the past, today's students have to score an aggregate grade of at least a B+ to secure one of the few coveted places in a public university.

If you have not been consistently revising your books, this month may not be enough for you to cover all you need to feel confident to face the exam. However all is not lost, as by practicing some tips you could still salvage yourself the shock of a fail.

Tips to use when preparing for your examinations


1. Do not waste your time revising things you already know instead invest that time in revising something you are not confident about.

2. Use the timetable. Start by revising for the last exam subjects as you move systematically towards the first ones. The logic behind this is that it is easier to recall things you have just read than things you read a long time ago. Besides, it makes revising the last exams easier as you shall be have run through the subjects in advance. Using the exam timetable on the reverse enables you to cover as much as you need before the main exam commences.

3. Monitor the trend of questions set from previous exam papers. However, do not totally ignore topics, which previous exams have covered as the examiner may repeat the topic in a different style. Don't wait for the shock on realizing a topic you ignored is in the exam
and the answers are right in your books. Predict all you need but do not ignore even a single topic. Cover everything.

4. Ever heard of self-set exams? This is a method where as you revise each topic, you set your own questions and after two or three days, you try answering them. This method is very effective in measuring your understanding of topics, and pin pointing your weaknesses. It however calls for self-discipline. Do not go back to your notes while answering the questions because you will not be helping yourself.

5. Make proper use of discussion groups. The rule of thumb however is not to attend a discussion of a topic or subject you have not prepared for. You will waste your time because you will not have the knowledge that others have. Before attending any group discussions, read widely on the subject to avoid unnecessary time wastage and loss of confidence.

7. Avoid the temptation to cram answers. You are better off reading to understand than cramming to pass an exam. The advantage of reading to understand is that you will be able to think outside the box and answer the questions broadly, giving varied examples other than the ones given by the teacher. Crammers are limited in their thinking and should they experience a mental block in the exam room, they are doomed because they do not have the capacity to think outside the cramming box.

8. Make maximum use of your teachers. This is the month that will determine whether you have a chance in the university or not. Organize yourself in small groups With common problems and invite the respective teacher to guide you. Remember to make use of acronyms wherever necessary for this will help you recall information faster. An acronym is a word formed from the initial letters of a name or concept.

All the best as you prepare for your exams. Get enough sleep before every paper as this ensures your brain rests and wakes up fresh. So, no trans-nights.



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