Post-Mock Strategies

Career Links

• Address the gaps in your knowledge and skills that showed up in your mocks. Make out a list of topics in each subject that need your attention. Allow time each night to make up ground in these areas.
• Make out a list of the technical errors that you made on each paper e.g. not allowing enough time to cover the required amount of questions, misreading questions, misinterpreting questions, wrong/poor choice of questions, writing too much on certain questions, omitting parts of questions in haste or through not turning over the page, ignoring key words in questions, doing too many questions, doing both questions tied by an "or "etc.
• Make out a good revision plan and do your best to stick to it. Even if you cannot stick rigidly to your plan, it at least it provides a point of reference for you. Mark off each topic in every subject as you cover it. This will make clear at a glance what you have still to cover.
• Rather than spending hours reading over material, be as active as possible in your learning. After reading over a topic, put aside your notes or your textbook and test yourself. Write down all you can remember. Then open your notes or textbook and compare what you have written with the original. Note the items that are missing and learn them. Devise some method that will help you remember them - associate them with someone or something that is imprinted in your mind, use an mnemonic, link them to someone's initials, use a sketch or doodle, underline them or highlight them.
• After studying a topic answer an exam question from a past exam paper under exam conditions. Check your answer and then spend time memorizing it.
• After studying a topic plan answers to questions from exam papers in point form. Check your answers and learn them. Revise them regularly. This method saves a lot of time and is very useful for last minute revision. Do not spend hours writing out reams of notes from textbooks or rewriting your notes. This is very time consuming and not very productive. Instead make out points from your notes or textbook- order them and put them on study cards. Learn them, revise them regularly and have them for last minute revision.
• Learn answers to questions that have been corrected by your teachers, particularly those that were highly rated. Revise them regularly.
• When you have covered a topic discuss it with members of your family and or friends - this helps to reinforce it.
• Get a classmate/s to question you on a topic that you have revised and ask your classmate/s questions on the topic.
• Do out mind maps to help you remember what you have studied. These are excellent for sequencing and development of points.
• Practice drawing diagrams for subjects that require them. Study a diagram first and then try to reproduce it unaided. To save time use abbreviations when labelling it.
• Put answers to exam questions on cassettes and play them back at times when you need a change of activity.
• Use time waiting for buses or trains and journey times to revise your study cards.
• Keep your study area well organised. Keep each subject's materials in a separate place. Order them in a way that makes it easy for you to find them quickly.
• During the coming weeks continue to familiarize yourself with the layout of each exam paper. Note the requirements in terms of the number of questions to be answered. Note the marks for each question and then allocate time to each question accordingly.
• Be keenly aware of what is required in each subject. For example, the highest standard of critical analysis required in the Leaving Certificate is in Higher English. Here narration and mere assertion are not acceptable. You must analyze the text in terms of the question, express an opinion and back it up with appropriate reference and quotation from the text.
• Finally, think strategically - focus on your six best subjects.

• Diet
  Because you are working at full steam, you need to eat well-balanced regular meals. Avoid foods that contain high levels of fat or very large portions of meat, as digesting these requires a lot of energy and consequently can leave you feeling sluggish. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and cereals, which produce a long lasting flow of energy, as opposed to foods high in sugar, like sweets, chocolates, biscuits and cakes, which only provide a quick burst of energy.
  Cut down on mugs of tea and coffee while studying - large amounts of caffeine increase the pulse rate and can cause restless sleep. Instead of tea and coffee, drink fruit juices and plenty of water. In addition, make sure you are getting all the B vitamins.
• Fresh Air and Exercise
  In order to feel well and to keep the brain alert you need to get plenty of fresh air and exercise. Between study stints go out for a brisk walk or run, kick football or bang a tennis ball against a wall - whatever appeals to you. You can also give the breaks a social dimension by exercising with your friends.
• Communication and Support
  During the coming weeks it is vital to keep the channels of communication with family and friends open. During this pressurized time you need their support and encouragement, so do not lock yourself away in your room. It is healthy to talk about what you are doing and the difficulties and successes you are having. Family and friends are only too willing to give you the time and reassurance you need.
• Rewards
  After you have reached a deadline in your revision programme, reward yourself by doing something that you really like.
• Sleep
  Have a good night's sleep. It is easier on your system if you stick to a regular routine. Always take a break from study, of at least half an hour, before going to bed. After an intensive study session, your mind and body need time to relax; have a bath or shower, listen to music or a radio programme, watch TV or phone a friend for a chat - anything you find relaxing.
• Stress
  If at times you feel that the stress is overpowering you, that you cannot concentrate or cannot sleep essential oils or other herbal remedies can help. Ask your local health or chemist for information on their properties and advice on their use.
  Finally, be positive, keep focussed and do not panic.