B2d - a little exam advice

So, the exams are nearly here, and as promised, here is a little advice (much of which is common sense) in preparation...

Before the exam

- Prepare well, but then ...sleep well before the exam - go to bed early to 'charge your battieries'!

- Eat well - have a good breakfast (it sounds crazy, and I may risk sounding like a parent, but...) ...food gives you energy, and energy is what you need!

- For the same reason eating a bar of chocolate before your exam can often give you a good, quick energy input (don't eat too many bars or you'll feel sick!).

- Take your correction fluid out of your pencil case, so you don't risk using it by mistake.

- Remember, black or blue pen, 'libretto', etc.

At the exam

- Breathe, relax - you have prepared for this, you've tried past papers, so feel courageous.

- Keep an eye on the time.

- Remember to write your name, student number etc. on all the necessary papers.

- Remember to write your final answers in blue or black pen only - and DO NOT USE correction fluid.

- Use normal letters and avoid 'block capitals'.

- Don't forget to read the general instructions and the instructions of each exercise with care (it's so easy - and unfortunate - to lose points just because you didn't read the instructions carefully).

- Before the first listening, when you can look at the questions, read them carefully. What can you expect to hear? The questions help you to anticipate what you might here. What are the key words and the key ideas?

- When you're listening do not try to take notes using complete sentences - there isn't time. Remember, as we've said in class, if you try to take notes using complete sentences, you will probably be so busy writing notes for question 1 that you don't have time to listen to the information that you need for question 2. You should simply take notes while listening. Note the key words, use your own symbols and abbreviations to help you if you like.

- Between the first and second listening try to expand on the notes you've taken to prepare your answers and think of what you need to listen to in the second listening.

- After the second listening write your answers quickly and clearly.

After the exam

- Treat yourself - an icecream (if you didn't eat too much chocolate before the exam) or something nice, you deserve it.