EXAMINATION TIPS

Exam Preparation: 10 Study Tips

1. Give yourself enough time to study

Don't leave it until the last minute. While some students do seem to thrive on last-minute 'cramming', it's widely accepted that for most of us, this is not the best way to approach an exam. Set out a timetable for your study. Write down how many exams you have and the days on which you have to sit them. Then organize your study accordingly. You may want to give some exams more study time than others, so find a balance that you feel comfortable with. 

2. Organize your study space

Make sure you have enough space to spread your textbooks and notes out. Have you got enough light? Is your chair comfortable? Are your computer games out of sight?

Try and get rid of all distractions, and make sure you feel as comfortable and able to focus as possible. For some people, this may mean almost complete silence; for others, background music helps. Some of us need everything completely tidy and organized in order to concentrate, while others thrive in a more cluttered environment. Think about what works for you, and take the time to get it right.

3. Use flow charts and diagrams

Visual aids can be really helpful when revising. At the start of a topic, challenge yourself to write down everything you already know about a topic - and then highlight where the gaps lie. Closer to the exam, condense your revision notes into one-page diagrams. Getting your ideas down in this brief format can then help you to quickly recall everything you need to know during the exam.

4. Practice on old exams

One of the most effective ways to prepare for exams is to practice taking past versions. This helps you get used to the format of the questions, and - if you time yourself - can also be good practice for making sure you spend the right amount of time on each section. 

5. Explain your answers to others

Parents and little brothers and sisters don't have to be annoying around exam time! Use them to your advantage. Explain an answer to a question to them. That will help you to get it clear in your head, and also to highlight any areas where you need more work.

6. Organize study groups with friends

Get together with friends for a study session. You may have questions that they have the answers to and vice versa. As long as you make sure you stay focused on the topic for an agreed amount of time, this can be one of the most effective ways to challenge yourself.

7. Take regular breaks

While you may think it's best to study for as many hours as possible, this can actually be counterproductive. If you were training for a marathon, you wouldn't try and run 24 hours a day! Likewise studies have shown that for long-term retention of knowledge, taking regular breaks really helps.

Everyone's different, so develop a study routine that works for you. If you study better in the morning, start early before taking a break at lunchtime. Or if you're more productive at nighttime, take a larger break earlier on so you're ready to settle down come evening.

8. Snack on 'brain food'

Keep away from junk food! You may feel like you deserve a treat, or that you don't have time to cook, but what you eat can really have an impact on energy levels and focus. Keep your body and brain well-fuelled by choosing nutritious foods that have been proven to aid concentration and memory, such as fish, nuts, seeds, yogurt and blueberries. The same applies on exam day - eat a good meal before the test, based on foods that will provide a slow release of energy throughout.

9. Plan your exam day

Make sure you get everything ready well in advance of the exam - don't leave it to the day before to suddenly realize you don't know the way, or what you're supposed to bring. Check all the rules and requirements, and plan your route and journey time. If possible, do a test run of the trip; if not, write down clear directions.

10. Drink plenty of water

Remember that being well hydrated is essential for your brain to work at its best. Make sure you keep drinking plenty of water throughout your revision, and also on the exam day. Good luck!

Taken from www.topuniversity. com

MUET SPEAKING GUIDELINES

TASK A:

Assalamualaikum and good morning,

I think that ....................(your choice)................is one way to .....................(situation)..............
My first reason is......................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
This is because.........................................................................................................................
For example,..........................................................................................................................

My second reason is,...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
Furthermore,...........................................................................................................................
For example,...........................................................................................................................
In conclusion, i would like to repeat that...................................................................................

TASK B:

1. Anyone can initiate the discussion.
2. Try to convince others to agree with you.
3. If you think you cannot continue with your ideas,  you can agree with others.
    Provide reasons for agreeing or disagreeing.
4. Give suitable examples based on your reading or your own experience.
5. Show respect to others' opinions by saying: You have a good point there,but.......................................
6. Don't say : I agree but...........................................................................................................................
7. Interrupt politely if you see your friend is having problem/has run out of ideas/ has difficulty speaking.
8. Keep track of time ( 10 min) and continue discussing until the bell rings...or conclude after you have come to an agreement.

ALL THE BEST:

EXPOSITORY ESSAYS

Essay 1: How Siblings Spend Time Together

People who are close to us in the family are our siblings. Siblings play a unique role in others' live and simulate the companionship and personal importance of parents as well as the power and assistance of friends as siblings often grow up in the same household. Furthermore, siblings’ relationship often reflects the overall condition of closeness within a family. Siblings can do many activities together such as exploring the outdoors, redecorating the house and going shopping.

            First, siblings can do any numbers of outdoors activities together. They can spend time enjoying all that nature has to offer by swimming in the lake or plan hiking routes up the tall hills or into the wilderness. This way would not only make them closer to the siblings, but they will be getting in shape and getting the exercise they need. It also can teach them to cooperate in solving problems. Indeed, siblings can improve their relationship bu exploring outdoors together.

            Second, siblings who share rooms together can redo their rooms. They can take time to discuss how they want their room to look. Together, they do not only plan on how to redo their room ,but also purchase the paint, brushes or other items needed to do the job. Other siblings, even parents may join in on the room redecoration, making it an inviting place to hang out. Artistic siblings can create new artwork to frame and hang on the wall. Siblings may also paint mural on the wall. Therefore, reshaping the house can build a spirit of cooperation among the siblings. In fact, siblings also may practise teamwork in their lives.

 Finally, nothing can bring two girls closer together like shopping. The older sister can take the younger one to the mall and spend the day in the mall. The older siblings who are working also can spend some money to buy things for the younger ones such as clothes, shoes and accessories. Indeed, the younger will be happy and feel love and appreciated. Furthermore, it also can instil a sense of self-responsibility in the older siblings. It also can foster loving relationships among siblings. Thus, going shopping is one of the interesting moments shared between siblings.

            In conclusion, it is a fact that siblings need each other. Exploring the outdoor, redecorating the house and shopping can improve siblings' relationship as “blood is thicker than water'. 

Essay 2: How To help The Poor in Your Society

The poor come in all races and genders. There is also no particular gender poverty at one time in their lives, unless they are born with money. People may often hear the saying 'born with silver spoon in the mouth". Well, not all are lucky like them. The fact is, there are many poor people in our country and they surely need our help. Therefore, we can help them in many ways such as giving free education, volunteering and giving job opportunities.

       The first way to help poor people is by giving free education. We can help the poor by imparting knowledge so they can later stand on their own feet. By giving free education, it can be the beginning of getting out from the hardships of life and they can build a better career. Free tuition, free books and internet access to them will surely increase their level of education. They are given the chance to further their studies to the highest level and later achieve success. Another way to help poor people is by giving scholarship to the excellent students to further studies whether in Malaysia or at overseas. This type of free education can surely change their life.

      Furthermore, we can help poor people by volunteering. The society can offer help by starting or contributing to a fund raised for the poor. By volunteering, we can help them to fulfill their basic need and can lighten their burden. Thus, we can carry out the activity in town to get the fund. For example, we can hold jumble sales, arts and crafts fair and indoor games. From these activities, we can get the fund from selling clothes, shoes, foods and many more. Indeed, poor people can be helped through volunteering service by the society.

       Besides that, another way to help poor people is giving them jobs. This can reduce poverty by improving the living standard in rural areas and open up their mindset that all people will succeed. For examples, the government can give micro-loans that allow people to begin vegetable gardens or farms or purchase sewing machines to start clothing business. The Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA), RISDA and FELCRA can give the poor job opportunities, by guiding the poor and landless people in commercial agricultural. Thus, job opportunities can increase their daily income and they will improve their life from being pauper to rich.

      In conclusion, there are many ways to help poor people by giving free education, volunteering and giving job opportunities. Hopefully, they can have a better and comfortable life and our society will enjoy a close relationship between the rich and the poor.

NURFARAH IZZATI BT AMADI and friends (K3SITIA)/2013

_{Essay 3: How To Encourage  Teenagers to Love Malaysia.}

            Teenagers in Malaysia presently are more proud of others countries such as Korea,Japan and United state of America than their own Malaysia. They often have the desire and interest to know more about the foreign cultures and the latest news of their admirable countries and tend to forget about their own country, Malaysia. Therefore, several ways must be taken to encourage the teenagers to love the country through mass media, involvement in National Days Event and Malaysian National Service Programme.
  

            Teenagers use the mass media consist of electronic media and printed media as a source of entertainment as well as to discover new knowledge. Electronic media such as radio, internet and television are very popular and being used almost everyday by teenagers. Besides, printed media such as magazines, newspapers and books also have great influence in order to change the perception and views of the teenagers about something. If we explore the role of printed media such as internet, we can see, this medium can display the latest information about many things. However, we must ensure that the spreading news is really accurate and reliable. The news that is not true and may cause misconception about the country must be blocked because it may disrupt the harmonious condition of the country. Indeed, the mass media plays an important role to encourage the teenagers to love the country.

              Besides, one of the ways to encourage the teenagers to love the country is by encouraging them to take part in National Day Event. This is because when they take part in the activities, they will realize in their heart about the uniqueness of our country. The activities that they can take part are culture shows, performing traditional dances and traditional costumes fashion show. These types of activities can make them understand how unique the country is. This makes them appreciate and love their homeland. Therefore, the involvement of teenagers can boost their spirit to love their country.
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   In addition, we can encourage the teenagers to love the country through the Malaysia National Service Programme (PLKN) .The participants of this programme are 18-year-old youths that are selectively drafted and this programme is held to develop young generation's patriotism and devotion to their country. They teenagers are exposed to nation's history, sovereignty and dignity during the activities that are carried out. They will be prepared to face challenges courageously throughout activities such as marching, delivering speeches, shooting and other physical training. Moreover,   the interaction among different races makes the unity stronger because they would be proud of the uniqueness of multi-races in Malaysia. Thus, The Malaysia National Service Programme can encourage our teenagers to love the country.

   To sum up,  the mass media,  involvement in National Day Event and  Malaysian National Service Programme are some effective ways to encourage the teenagers to love this country. This is because they are the ones who are going to become the future leaders of the country. The vision and aspiration of the country totally lie in their hands.

Dang Fazliyatun and friends (S1K3T1) / 2013

JUST FOR YOU

Hallo all,

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