In this video, we’re going to look at how to prepare for your English exam - in terms
of exam technique and also, psychologically, something which is exceptionally important,
however often overlooked.
I’m Alister and have 11 years of preparing students to take exams in both English and
Maths.
So you’ve put in the hard work and study over many years and now you’ve an exam to
sit. You feel that everything you’ve done comes down to an assessment that lasts a maximum
of a few hours.
You’ve shown time and time again in lessons your true level in English and want to now
have the piece of paper that reflects your skills and hard work.
How can you make sure all your hard work is not wasted and in fact rewarded?
That’s what we’re going to look at in this video - how best to prepare for your
English exam - to get the result that you deserve.
Aren’t schools just exam factories though?
Yes, this is a necessary evil, right now. No one has a better idea. Play the system.
Evidence.
The information in this video is relevant for anyone sitting any English exam, in any
country and at any level. In fact, much of the content is applicable for any subject
and not only English.
Also, a word on all Latvians in 12th class, sitting their exams. All the best! You can
and will achieve your goals!
How do I stay calm and reduce stress or anxiety?
To achieve optimal performance during the exam, you need to be under a suitable amount
of stress or pressure. Too low and you are bored and don’t care. Too high and anxiety
strikes. For most students on exam day it’s about being too stressed.
Lower heart rate - drinking lots of cold water and splashing your face with cold water slows
down metabolism and heart rate. Take a deep breathe in for 10 seconds. Hold
for 5. Slowly breathe out completely. Repeat. Try not to panic.
What if I panic during the exam?
Pre-mortem or prospective hindsight. Compare with post-mortem, investigating a
murder. Anticipate their weaknesses, predict what
could go wrong and put plans in place right now to reduce their likelihood of happening.
Students should be proactive. Simply reacting to difficulties during the exam will unfortunately
usually lead to heightened stress or anxiety - fight or flight.
How can I maintain positivity?
Power poses - The Wonder Woman, The Boss, The Victory. Split in 3
Amy Cuddy from Harvard Business School - hold pose for 1-2 minutes - increased power and
confidence. Find a private space and pick your favourite.
Personally, I use The Wonder Woman or The Victory before stressful situations.
Speaking? Questions? Monologue?
Make efficient use of any short period of preparation before speaking that you have.
Plan a few key ideas before you speak that will trigger further thoughts and allow you
to continue speaking naturally and more fluently. Think in English, not your native language.
Be yourself, immerse yourself in the speaking and as far as possible be positive and interested
in what you have to speak about. Challenge yourself that you will not stop
speaking until the examiner has to stop you. That’s a great target to have.
Imagine you’re with your teacher, or classmates or whoever you speak English with and just
do as you usually do.
Writing? Letter. Essay.
Specifically, cover each point in the instructions. Word count
Register Plan your structure. specific grammar and
vocabulary prior to writing. Build around this and your topic sentences at the start
of each paragraph. Be aware of the mark scheme when checking
- punctuation, grammar, vocab, task achievement - get inside the mind of the examiner.
Use every second and objectively check your writing, as if there are mistakes and you’re
an examiner.
Listening?
Anticipate what you might expect to hear - possible answers in a gap fill.
Apply logic about the actual topic. Try to get inside the head of the speakers
from the information prior to listening. Underline key words and jot before you listen
ways you may be able to hear the answer Use the second listen to check.
Cross off incorrect options rather than go straight in multiple choice.
Never leave an answer blank. Use every second and objectively check your
answers, as if there are mistakes and you’re an examiner.
Reading?
Read the whole text quickly once to understand the gist.
Use common sense or any prior knowledge on the topic you already have.
For true, false, not mentioned or other similar questions underline your evidence in the text.
If you can’t do this, it’s quite possibly not the correct option.
If you’re uncertain of which choice is correct, try different options.
Never leave an answer blank. Use every second and objectively check your
answers, as if there are mistakes and you’re an examiner.
Use of Language?
For missing words consider which of the eight parts of speech it is - noun, verb, adjective,
preposition and so on. Look at the words that come before and after
to assist. Never leave an answer blank.
Use every second and objectively check your answers, as if there are mistakes and you’re
an examiner.
What about the night before?
Sleep well Do something else actually and enjoy yourself.
Less is more.
What should we learn from Finland, with the best education system in the world, about
exams?
No standardised tests. Not taught to pass a test. Taught to fully understand the ideas
and concepts to be able to answer anything about the subject. Not just jumping through
hoops.
If you want further help in preparing for an English exam or simply to learn English
be sure to subscribe and check out one of these playlists - confusing words, grammar
or advanced English.