In this post, I will talk about the time factor in the exam preparation series.
Daily homework
Usually, we sit down comfortably and solve the questions in front of us. Many times, we are able to solve most, if not all, the questions. YES! We can do it. YES! We will score well! But have we ever look at the time we take to solve those questions? Have we ever look at our piece of work and wonder whether another person is able to decipher what we have written, or is it totally illegible?
Examination hall
We know that there is a fix duration for every paper. We know that we have a choice to leave the hall early, but we have no choice to leave late. Let's ask ourselves: Are we able to finish the paper within the permitted time? If yes, good. If no, think about how much time was spent doing our daily homework.
Experience
Recalling my Secondary School days, initially during Additional Mathematics tests or exams, I always completed the paper just in time. My last written word/number was a few seconds before the announcement "Pens down, time's up". There was once when I could not even finish the paper.
Most of my students, past and present, face the same issue. They know how to solve the questions, but they simply take too long to solve them. One simple question can take them more than 5 minutes. Reasons? Write slowly. Write down every single step. Using the correction tape/fluid.
What did I do?
Once I know that I got the concept, I time myself when solving problems. When I was going to sit for a 2-hour paper (in the case of A Math), I made sure that I was able to finish a paper within 1 hour during practice. Sounds crazy? No. Let's admit that during practice, we feel relax while doing the questions. We ought to do fast, since we don't feel any stress. The same paper in exam took me not less than 1.5 hour. This is due to the "additional weights" on my shoulders. My heart beat faster, my hands shook more and I wrote slower.
Learn to write fast but not compromising the readability of your work. A calligraphic piece of work won't earn you extra marks. As long as the marker can understand your handwriting, it is good enough. Over the years, I have received many praises for my handwriting. However, when they saw the work I hand in during exam, they were stunned.
It's time to time yourself!
Daily homework
Usually, we sit down comfortably and solve the questions in front of us. Many times, we are able to solve most, if not all, the questions. YES! We can do it. YES! We will score well! But have we ever look at the time we take to solve those questions? Have we ever look at our piece of work and wonder whether another person is able to decipher what we have written, or is it totally illegible?
Examination hall
We know that there is a fix duration for every paper. We know that we have a choice to leave the hall early, but we have no choice to leave late. Let's ask ourselves: Are we able to finish the paper within the permitted time? If yes, good. If no, think about how much time was spent doing our daily homework.
Experience
Recalling my Secondary School days, initially during Additional Mathematics tests or exams, I always completed the paper just in time. My last written word/number was a few seconds before the announcement "Pens down, time's up". There was once when I could not even finish the paper.
Most of my students, past and present, face the same issue. They know how to solve the questions, but they simply take too long to solve them. One simple question can take them more than 5 minutes. Reasons? Write slowly. Write down every single step. Using the correction tape/fluid.
What did I do?
Once I know that I got the concept, I time myself when solving problems. When I was going to sit for a 2-hour paper (in the case of A Math), I made sure that I was able to finish a paper within 1 hour during practice. Sounds crazy? No. Let's admit that during practice, we feel relax while doing the questions. We ought to do fast, since we don't feel any stress. The same paper in exam took me not less than 1.5 hour. This is due to the "additional weights" on my shoulders. My heart beat faster, my hands shook more and I wrote slower.
Learn to write fast but not compromising the readability of your work. A calligraphic piece of work won't earn you extra marks. As long as the marker can understand your handwriting, it is good enough. Over the years, I have received many praises for my handwriting. However, when they saw the work I hand in during exam, they were stunned.
It's time to time yourself!
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