Year 8 Exam
Preparation and
Techniques
May Exam Dates:
▪ Friday 4th May – Science (EOY) - 1:15-2:15pm
▪ Tuesday 8th May – Maths (EOY) non calculator
9-10:45am
▪ Friday 11th May – English (EOY) – 9-10am
You have all received your examination timetable.
Re-read the information for candidates on the first two pages to
ensure that you know exactly what you need to do and where and
when to report.
Pack your bag the night before to ensure that you have all of the
equipment you need and work to revise should you have any time
to wait around between exams.
Be early – this will help you to stay calm. You should report for
your exam ten minutes before the allocated time.
Have a good breakfast – your brain needs food!
Drink water – drink lots of water to stay hydrated for the rest of
the day
Arrangements for Exams
If you are very unwell and cannot make an
examination, you must phone school first
thing in the morning of your scheduled exam
and let me know.
Leave books, bags, PHONES etc. in your
lockers.
If you arrive late for an exam, speak to a
teacher immediately.
Mobile phones are not permitted in exams
at any time.
Additional Information
Exam Revision and Technique
Choose somewhere Highlighter pens.
suitable to work that is
comfortable, quiet and A folder in which to keep
away from distractions. your revision materials.
Cards for making revision ‘Post-Its’ to post up key
notes and flashcards. words, definitions or
vocabulary.
A3 sheets to give you the
‘Big Picture’ and for mind PLAN don’t
maps. PROCRASTINATE!
Study with a friend. Test
each other and teach
each other!
Revision tips
Start well in advance and Make sure you share time
work out how much time between subjects
you will need. although some may take
more.
Fit around other essential
activities that have to be
included.
Plan free time for yourself
to relax and have some
fun.
Get up early.
REVISION TIMETABLE
Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
8:00
8:30
9:00
9:30
10:00
10:30
11:00
11:30
12:00
12:30
1:00
1:30
2:00
2:30
3:00
3:30
4:00
4:30
5:00
5:30
6:00
6:30
7:00
7:30
8:00
8:30
9:00
9:30
10:00
Revision notes Revise with someone else
and share ideas.
Flash cards
Get someone to test you.
Mind maps
Highlight key words and
Cover and recall apply to flash cards.
Review Cycle: keep going Apply your knowledge by
back to something you doing practice exam
need to know to refresh questions or making plans
your memory. for answers.
Speak to your subject
teachers for advice and
exam help
USE A RANGE OF REVISION TECHNIQUES
Can you follow instructions?
Read items 1 to 10 and complete the instructions.
You have three minutes to complete this task.
1. Write your name in the bottom right corner of the paper.
2. Draw a circle in the upper right corner of this paper.
3. Draw a triangle in the bottom right hand corner of this
paper.
4. Write ‘yes’ on the back of this page.
5. Circle the word you have just written.
6. Draw a small square in the bottom left corner of this
paper.
7. Put a cross in the square you have just drawn.
8. Call out your name when you reach this point.
9. On the back of this sheet add 264 and 81.
10. Complete items 1 and 2 only.
On the day, read the question thoroughly!
Command or directive words are those
words in exam questions such as:
‘outline’, ‘identify’ or ‘assess’ which
tell you what you should do in your
answer.
Ignore them at your peril
WHAT ARE COMMAND WORDS?
Identify Explain
Outline Interpret
Describe Explore
Define Discuss
Relate Assess
Examine Evaluate
Summarise Compare
EXAMPLES OF COMMAND WORDS
Command words relate to the mark scheme
which the marker has in front of them.
Ignore them and you will lose marks. For
example ‘outline and assess in a question’
might have 50% of marks attached to each
command word. Fail to do one of these and you
lose half the marks.
Command words are a guide to planning an
answer.
Pay attention to how many marks are
allocated to each question and each section!
WHY ARE COMMAND WORDS IMPORTANT?
.
