Exam / revision techniques

I too failed all 3 of my stage 1 exams, having done exceptionally well with Core Management. Perhaps I got a little complacent because I did so well the previous year I don't know, but I was very upset and wanted to give it all up. However, I have since gone on to pass them and am now concentrating on stage 2 exams. Apart from myself and one other, the rest of my class have now qualified, but I found it far easier to concentrate on just one or two exams at a time, and deferring the rest for a later date, that way I had more time to focus on the subjects and it really worked, it is a real boost once you pass because you realise that you really can do it.

My frustration was also attributed to the poor support I received from my tutors and college in general, I feel it is really important for anyone commencing stage 1, that the tutors stress the level of work and studying involved, the pace is far greater than core management and I felt that you weren't really prepared for this step up, perhaps this is different now that the module has changed.

I would like to have seen more exam practice, mock exams etc before the actual exams, I definitely would have paid the extra for them if need be. I felt the essays, although important were given too much emphasis and a lot of time was spent on them instead of preparing us for the "main event", especially when some of the essays were in no way supportive of the actual module(!)

My technique (which seems to be working) is to (1) read, read, read, (2) prepare your notes after each chapter, (3) break down the notes again, (4) approx 4-6 weeks before your exam, condense your notes further - I do mine in such a way that everything for that topic fits onto one side of A4 e.g. (definition, application, theorist/model, advantages, disadvantages, case study. Then pick some questions out of past exam papers and time yourself and see how much you remember. Keep the condensed notes with you all the time and when you have a spare few minutes, browse through them - you will be amazed at how much you remember because you are not putting yourself under any pressure. Try and mix up the notes as well so you are not just focussing on the one subject each time.

Good luck (but I am sure you won't need it).

I too failed all 3 of my stage 1 exams, having done exceptionally well with Core Management. Perhaps I got a little complacent because I did so well the previous year I don't know, but I was very upset and wanted to give it all up. However, I have since gone on to pass them and am now concentrating on stage 2 exams. Apart from myself and one other, the rest of my class have now qualified, but I found it far easier to concentrate on just one or two exams at a time, and deferring the rest for a later date, that way I had more time to focus on the subjects and it really worked, it is a real boost once you pass because you realise that you really can do it.

My frustration was also attributed to the poor support I received from my tutors and college in general, I feel it is really important for anyone commencing stage 1, that the tutors stress the level of work and studying involved, the pace is far greater than core management and I felt that you weren't really prepared for this step up, perhaps this is different now that the module has changed.

I would like to have seen more exam practice, mock exams etc before the actual exams, I definitely would have paid the extra for them if need be. I felt the essays, although important were given too much emphasis and a lot of time was spent on them instead of preparing us for the "main event", especially when some of the essays were in no way supportive of the actual module(!)

My technique (which seems to be working) is to (1) read, read, read, (2) prepare your notes after each chapter, (3) break down the notes again, (4) approx 4-6 weeks before your exam, condense your notes further - I do mine in such a way that everything for that topic fits onto one side of A4 e.g. (definition, application, theorist/model, advantages, disadvantages, case study. Then pick some questions out of past exam papers and time yourself and see how much you remember. Keep the condensed notes with you all the time and when you have a spare few minutes, browse through them - you will be amazed at how much you remember because you are not putting yourself under any pressure. Try and mix up the notes as well so you are not just focussing on the one subject each time.

Good luck (but I am sure you won't need it).