by Nimrah Bader

Created on: March 05, 2009

The word "examination" has a lot of unwanted and -in some cases- dire effects. From dark circles under the eyes to panic attacks. And for the particularly fragile amongst us: some brief trips to the washroom to spill your guts out. Yes exams can be very ugly and if you happen to disagree with me, chances are you haven't taken one for a long time.

My purpose of writing this article is to guide fellow GCE, GCSE or other standardized exam takers through arduous task of examinations and hopefully my noble mission would help you pass with flying colorsOr at the very least raise your hopes up.

For convenience's sake, let us divide the examination journey into two main segments: Preparation and the answering the exam itself. Throughout my O level years, I'm seen the one question that always seems to loom mere months away from the dreaded exam. "How do you prepare?" Some fiercely guard their secrets, others spring up and give you a detailed account of their struggle and thinly-veiled smug remarks about how much of the syllabus have conquered and some of the laid-back ones merrily reply they have accomplished nothing. Dear readers, there is no right way to prepare to an examination. Successful exam takers have merely used a combination of comprehension, practice, brains and a little bit of luck. Notice I used the words "comprehension" and "practice" before "brains". Giving exams does not require you to be a genius, it is a clear grasp of the topic that really gets you that A. So if you're expecting successful students to have a magic potion or an IQ level having 4 figures, I can happily say you're mistaken!

Comprehension begins with the first day of class itself. I'm afraid if you're about to give a final in the coming months, you've got a lot on your plate, but with some decent books and courses you can land yourself that coveted A. Understanding lessons within the classroom makes up about half of the exam preparation itself. So if you still have a year or a trifle less for your exams I highly suggest you study as you go along. Understand the teacher, read your notes and the textbook, practice a few related questions and last but not the least clear out any queries right there! I've seen a number of students shrugging off poorly understood concepts, promising to do it later and regretting it later. Learning new concepts is easier during school months when the days are merry and gay and you don't have the tension of exams leeching on your brain! On a personal note, I might

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