Exam / revision techniques

Janine

Sorry to hear your news but at the same time delighted that you posted your determination to succeed.

When I was taking my MBA (through the (Open University) I used their online conferencing system to help with my revision. I tracked down several students who wanted to do revision together, even though we were all based in different parts of the globe, so the online conferencing system was the ideal way to do this -- it even allowed you to send voice clips to one another. We used to get hold of old exam papers then each of us would tackle one question and send it to each other for peer review and comment. This work very well since it allowed us different perspectives -- if you get stuck in one way of thinking this can be particularly helpful.

I found that my fellow students in other countries were particularly interested in taking part since it also allowed them to pick up idioms, phrases etc which would be helpful to them since they are expected to complete all the exams in English.

Working in groups of about three or four was optimal since more than this could create too many opinions.

Each of us has our own technique which we develop based on experience so one person's recipe may not work for someone else. But Janine gives good advice when she points out that it is important to figure out what examiners are looking for and often this information is given at the outset of a course. Consequently, as courses progress and students are busy digesting and applying new information critical advice offered in relation to what examiners are looking for can be overlooked. I remember it being a source of irritation that the Open University tutors were always encouraging us to look at the advice provided in the course manuals about what examiners are looking for -- I'm glad I was sufficiently irritated that I went and looked at it since it paid dividends.

I have no experience of the tutors for the exams you are talking about but was very lucky that I had good tutors while doing my MBA, and of at least equal importance, good fellow students from whom I learnt a great deal. And this is something I would emphasise -- the value of learning in groups whether you do it face-to-face or via an online conferencing facility. It reassures you, it motivates you, it helps you learn and gives you the opportunity to help others learn.

Good luck with the rest of your studies.

Janine

Sorry to hear your news but at the same time delighted that you posted your determination to succeed.

When I was taking my MBA (through the (Open University) I used their online conferencing system to help with my revision. I tracked down several students who wanted to do revision together, even though we were all based in different parts of the globe, so the online conferencing system was the ideal way to do this -- it even allowed you to send voice clips to one another. We used to get hold of old exam papers then each of us would tackle one question and send it to each other for peer review and comment. This work very well since it allowed us different perspectives -- if you get stuck in one way of thinking this can be particularly helpful.

I found that my fellow students in other countries were particularly interested in taking part since it also allowed them to pick up idioms, phrases etc which would be helpful to them since they are expected to complete all the exams in English.

Working in groups of about three or four was optimal since more than this could create too many opinions.

Each of us has our own technique which we develop based on experience so one person's recipe may not work for someone else. But Janine gives good advice when she points out that it is important to figure out what examiners are looking for and often this information is given at the outset of a course. Consequently, as courses progress and students are busy digesting and applying new information critical advice offered in relation to what examiners are looking for can be overlooked. I remember it being a source of irritation that the Open University tutors were always encouraging us to look at the advice provided in the course manuals about what examiners are looking for -- I'm glad I was sufficiently irritated that I went and looked at it since it paid dividends.

I have no experience of the tutors for the exams you are talking about but was very lucky that I had good tutors while doing my MBA, and of at least equal importance, good fellow students from whom I learnt a great deal. And this is something I would emphasise -- the value of learning in groups whether you do it face-to-face or via an online conferencing facility. It reassures you, it motivates you, it helps you learn and gives you the opportunity to help others learn.

Good luck with the rest of your studies.