Advice for exams

A teacher in a classroom

Listen to the teacher giving students advice for exams and do the exercises to practise and improve your listening skills. 

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise before you listen. Then do the other exercises to check your understanding.

Audio file

Transcript

Morning, everyone. Quiet, please. Right, OK. So, today I'm going to give you some advice to help you prepare for the exams next week. So, make some notes as I'm talking, please. Everybody ready?

Now, while you're studying, eat food that gives you energy. Don't be tempted to eat sweets or drink cola. Sugar won't help you study but fruit and cereals will. Apples, actually, are especially good.

Find a comfortable place with plenty of light when you study. But not 'too' comfortable or you'll fall asleep!

Try and keep a positive mind. It is easier to study when you are positive and relaxed. Now, if you start feeling anxious, have a little break. Go out for a stroll around the block.

Don't try to learn everything. There isn't time. Just choose the 'important' things, the things that'll get you the most points in an exam. And if you aren't sure about this, ask me.

First, learn the main ideas and don't worry too much about the details. If you have time, you can come back later and read the details.

Make notes of these key points and read them, then cover them up and try to remember all the points. Now, it might be boring, but repetition helps you to remember.

Use past exam papers to study. They will help you understand what kind of questions come up. There are plenty of past exam papers in the library. You can photocopy them and take them home.

Take regular breaks while you're studying. A five-minute break every half hour is usually enough. Get some fresh air and stretch your arms and legs. Drink a glass of water too. It's important to keep hydrated.

And, last but not least, good luck! I'm sure you'll all do your best.

Discussion

Does any of this advice surprise you? Have you got any good advice to share for studying for exams?

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Average: 3.7 (73 votes)
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Comments

Submitted by Salva23m on Mon, 07/06/2020 - 18:52

Make a sumery. While I study I should be in silence

Submitted by Mamou1 on Wed, 07/01/2020 - 10:39

None of this advise surprise me because they are the best one. One advise I can also give is not to panic stay calm and you get it.

Submitted by ALFREDO0190 on Tue, 06/16/2020 - 20:18

I like the activity since being a conversation of 2 people is more difficult to identify but it is also more fun

Submitted by ALFREDO0190 on Tue, 06/16/2020 - 05:56

I like this topic because, since there are no subtitles, it is more difficult to understand, although the second activity was always 50%
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Submitted by quarantine_studies on Fri, 05/22/2020 - 15:07

no, I'm not surprised of any advice, I have already known it and I would like to add some more: 1) get a planner so you can visually see what you need to do. use graphs, pictures, webs, color code, or anything that makes you active and engaged with the information to better remember it 2) study at a time of day that makes you focused 3) study between classes in school. you’re there anyway, so go to the library and use your time well. that way you can chill when you get home and get your homework out of the way 4) you should have a clean table or space to work in. clutter and mess is distracting

Submitted by Bumbli on Mon, 04/27/2020 - 12:37

Theses tips are good, I usually follow these and I would like to add one more, having music without lyrics as a background noise, such as (my personal favourite) Lo-Fi Hip Hop, at least for me, it helps to focus on the subject I'm studying. I don't know, you can try and see for yourself.

Submitted by RAPulido on Tue, 04/14/2020 - 13:54

I don't have any advice. I do many of these advices, I study every half an hour, I study in a place with plenty light, and I keep hydrated.

Submitted by slavchic12 on Sun, 04/05/2020 - 07:14

I want to talk about concentration in study. To realize your plan well, you need perform several rules or recommendations. Every person, to my mind, gets new information by surfing the Internet or from the books. Your brain develops sensitivity, vigilance otherwise you will be distracted. While you read you can make fast break, for example: to eat fruits, vegetables, nuts; drink water, juice. Doing your home assignment or completing a project you can`t use phone, because this device decreases concentration. The only way is to remove it until the end of the homework. Maybe you can use your phone to write down something during a lesson and you will be able to remember information from lessons. Homework will be easier to do if you don`t miss your classes. In conclusion, last but not least- you mustn’t distracted on different interference.

Submitted by peachygirl on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 10:39

I have never had a part-time job, but I really want to. I think it is very good to do part-time job, because it makes students more free of their parents.

Submitted by Girish_12 on Thu, 03/26/2020 - 13:35

very nice advice!!!

Submitted by user on Tue, 03/24/2020 - 16:07

Most of these advices are not new for me and I accept them for a long time. But I must say glucose is the single energy source of brain, so I don't agree to the advice about sugary things. But of course it does not mean that we should eat 5 pack chocolate and drink 3 liters cola when we studying. Consequently I think we should eat sugary things while we studying but enough and from healthy sugar sources.

Submitted by GiulioEca on Sun, 03/22/2020 - 16:55

Yes for example don’t learn evrything and don't eat sugar and sodas. I think sugar is necessary for the brain. I don-t give other advices. the teacher give a lot of advices.

Submitted by Rymix on Thu, 03/19/2020 - 17:25

I agree with the advices given in the record. They are very helpful!

Submitted by mg1208 on Thu, 03/19/2020 - 14:42

No, I'm not surprised of any advice- I have already known it. If you want to have a good grade you should take a lot of tests and even more exercises, you should also try reading something more about the topic you have to learn. Maybe try watching some videos e.g. on YouTube . If you have been learning something try to tell your parents or siblings about it-it's the best in learning languages- try talk to them in language you're learning. I can assure you it'll work well. If you like studying with people study in groups, if you don't -don't. And believe you can score 100% on the test. :) M.G

Submitted by gabij54 on Wed, 03/18/2020 - 19:51

It's nothing new to me because I've heard these advices before. I even use some of them. In my opinion making notes and repeating the most important informations are the best ways for studying. But don't forget about taking breaks, they're as important as two previous ways!

Submitted by ZuzannaGolema on Wed, 03/18/2020 - 19:45

The only thing that surprised me was that sweet food isn't really good for us when we are studying. I knew that a place, which is too comfortable could lead us to falling asleep. It already happened to me! I think a good idea is to split up your studying for several days, so you have more time to focus on more things.

Submitted by Rainbow17 on Wed, 03/18/2020 - 16:25

This advices are really helpful! Thank you.

Submitted by Szalotka on Wed, 03/18/2020 - 09:52

Nothing really surprised me. I honestly apply myself to similar advice so i think it is ok to follow her advice.

Submitted by Opyat_regayus on Tue, 03/10/2020 - 22:09

It was interesting to listen to how they prepare for tests in the United Kingdom. For me, the test was not the easiest. But he was very cognitive for me. I wish all the rest good luck in learning English!

Submitted by Ostrik on Tue, 03/10/2020 - 20:21

Very interesting tips. Maybe I will use them in the future.

Submitted by ValeraY on Tue, 03/10/2020 - 19:03

Yes, some tips are a bit strange, but at the same time they are important for the exam. I would really share some of these tips.

Submitted by Shadow0001 on Tue, 03/10/2020 - 18:04

very good advice, be sure to take note

Submitted by KateKO on Tue, 03/10/2020 - 16:23

It's would be funny, but I didn't knew that I need to have 5 minutes break every 30 minutes of my studying. Also I didn't knew that there is no need to focus on the details. So there is a lot of things I didn't knew.. but now I'll fix it!

Submitted by VladIST18 on Tue, 03/10/2020 - 15:34

I learned a lot of important things. It was a interesting lesson.

Submitted by Alessandro_G on Fri, 03/06/2020 - 14:24

I think it’s very interesting. I’ll use it to prepare for the next exams.

Submitted by simmi on Thu, 03/05/2020 - 18:56

Very nice advice.I will try to follow it next time for all my exames
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Submitted by Zoey123 on Fri, 02/07/2020 - 13:46

This is help me to getting a high score in the exam !!!
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Submitted by wonder on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 03:28

I agree with teacher's advise. When I take a test, I was so nervous. But I started to take a test. My mind was calm.
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Submitted by Zoey123 on Mon, 12/30/2019 - 09:06

Perfect! I love this !!!

Submitted by Anya123 on Mon, 12/16/2019 - 12:07

Very nice advice.I will try to follow it next time.

Submitted by lvcp on Wed, 11/13/2019 - 21:24

in my opinion the best advice is don't focus on details, bescase in my exams I waste a long time reading the details and memorizing them

Submitted by Thu on Sun, 07/14/2019 - 06:50

I surprise with "Do not get too much comfortable" because I was sleeping when I study because of the place where I learn is so good. About "Take regular breaks" so that is a great idea, too. When I sit on the chair too long, my back has broken. : )

Submitted by Laminae on Sun, 05/19/2019 - 09:50

The advices were very interesting ! Thanks you for sharing this !! I'm convinced that I'm ready for my exams !

Submitted by Laminae on Sun, 05/19/2019 - 09:43

yes

Submitted by MuTheSherif on Sat, 05/11/2019 - 13:18

Amazing i got 100% :)

Submitted by aprildoha on Thu, 02/07/2019 - 22:41

I disagre about "Don't eat sugar" it is not fair for me because sugar permit to people evacuated stress especially chocolate. Orange can also permit to keep awakening
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Submitted by Elisadv on Wed, 01/16/2019 - 11:06

I absolutely agree with these advices! But also important to eat a good quality chocolate it helps to brain working better) and of course stop worrying!

Submitted by popovserhii on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 05:36

The transcript isn't equal the audio at 100% and it made me confused when I tried to compare my text to text on this site. For example: in the transcript, we have "Are you ready?" but really the teacher asked, "Everybody ready?" and etc.
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Submitted by Jonathan - Coo… on Sat, 01/19/2019 - 06:31

Hi popovserhii. Oops, sorry for the confusion! We've amended the transcripts on the page and on the worksheet now, so have a look! Thanks for letting us know.

Jonathan (LearnEnglish Teens Team)

In reply to by popovserhii

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Submitted by khanhlinh92004 on Sat, 10/20/2018 - 15:10

Interesting advice!

Submitted by bellatopina on Mon, 09/10/2018 - 10:28

Well, that "don't eat sugar" surprise me a lot, usual my mother tell me, "bring with you water and a pice of choccolate, it give to you energy", so now i think i will change choccolate with fruits, is better i think, however usual i record my voice while i'm reading my notes, so when i have free time i turn on and i listen it so i remember more informations, or when i have to prepare some project i used to listen nature songs, it relax me a lot.
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Submitted by Shiko on Sat, 08/18/2018 - 07:55

The advice "Don't eat a sugar" is surprised me. I thought that sugar can help. I can give some advice. Don't worry before exam only because worrying don't help us to do exam. Worrying is nonsense for exam

Submitted by amarti on Thu, 04/19/2018 - 16:52

I thing always is interesting to have advices to study, and I am agree with the recommendations the teacher says.
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Submitted by bilko on Sun, 02/25/2018 - 18:52

I agree with the clues that are given in the record. In addition to these, i can share my methods... Feel positive Believe yourself Study hard Keep away from phone Find a quiet place Be alone Good luck everyone...
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Submitted by Batgirl on Sun, 01/14/2018 - 17:15

I agree with the tips in the record, but I also want to share mine: 1) Firstly, turn off all devices that can distract you from learning 2) If you have to learn some words or rules, put some notes with them in the places where you very often (you will see the notes and read them) 3) And don't forget that you're doing it for yourself. Try to improove yourself and you will be the coolest:) I hope I helped you in some case3
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Submitted by KirGil on Fri, 01/12/2018 - 21:15

Since listening to this record I am keeping these advices. Thank you very much for this task.
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Submitted by thonganle on Tue, 01/02/2018 - 14:44

Thanks for useful advice
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