Practice Exam Organisation

[Vincezor]

Hey guys, I was wondering how you guys manage your practice exams?

Some questions I have thought of include:

1) Is there a set order you do exams? VCAA first? By year? Certain companies?

2) How do you organise your "Exams to do" as well as "Completed Exams"? More specifically, where do you put the completed exams afterwards?

3) Do you use b^3's practice exam tracker? If so, what do you think of it (in terms of preparation effectiveness) on a personal level?

4) Do you use some sort of logbook for mistakes?

5) What do you think of completing a trial exam more than once? - Contributed by laseredd

Here's mine:

1) Is there a set order you do exams? VCAA first? By year? Certain companies?
For unit 3, I usually did any random exams that were given by my tutor and school as well attempting those that were considered "hard" closer to the exam date. I did VCAA exams around 1-2 weeks before the exam. However this time around, I'm attempting all the VCAA exams (from the start of the study design) first. As the end of year exams are a lot more stressful compared to midyears, I will probably have to make a compromise on the number of practice exams for all my subjects. I'll have to ask for advice on which exams/companies to avoid in order to achieve this, no doubt on ATARnotes

2) How do you organise your "Exams to do" as well as "Completed Exams"? More specifically, where do you put the completed exams afterwards?
For Unit 3, I just had some pullout shelves for both chemistry and physics. One shelf contained the completed physics exams, whilst the other had chemistry. For the uncompleted ones, I usually only had a few (3-5ish) in a pile next to that. I have no idea what I'm going to do for end of years though, as I simply do not have enough shelves! As for storage, I used simple manilla folders I stole from my dad (haha). Inside the cover contained a checklist of the order of exams and their number and date completed.

3) Do you use b^3's practice exam tracker? If so, what do you think of it (in terms of preparation effectiveness) on a personal level?
I actually have it downloaded, however I haven't really done much with it. I am not sure of its effectiveness YET as I have not really done any exams, so I won't really judge because of that. Maybe after a month or so, I'll come back and re-evaluate this question.

4) Do you use some sort of logbook for mistakes?
Unfortunately I did not start such a thing until around a week before the chemistry exam, and it really wasn't that effective because of that. Damn cramming. I hope to start all of them earlier this time around.

Feel free to add any questions. If I feel it is good to use, I'll edit out my original post with it and include your question

Until then, goodluck with the preparation!

Attention Mods: If this is somehow in the incorrect subforum, feel free to move it to a more relevant one. I actually had some trouble finding where I actually posted this, so I MAY have intended to post it somewhere else. If you feel that this section is okay, then no problem!

[Lasercookie]

This is a pretty good idea, I'm interested in what others have to say.

1) Is there a set order you do exams? VCAA first? By year? Certain companies?
Since I've only got 2 3/4 subjects this year (IT and Physics). I'm not going to touch IT exams until the start of the Term 4 holidays (other than the ones set in class). For Physics, I've been doing VCAA and iTute exams in the seperate sections, not in exam conditions. I'll start doing them in exam conditions at the start of Term 4 holidays.

I don't really have a set order. I don't like doing a lot of a single companies trial exams in a row, I try to keep a variety. I tend to do the VCAA, iTute and harder ones first. I do try to mix up the difficulty though as well, I won't go for all the usually hard exams in a row. For SAC revision I'll do the older ones (2002-2005ish).

2) How do you organise your "Exams to do" as well as "Completed Exams"? More specifically, where do you put the completed exams afterwards?
I don't really print out "exams to do" until I'm about to do them. I've got the ones I have listed in a spreadsheet along with a preliminary date on which I intend to sit them. I've got one of those plastic pocket book thingies to put my completed exams in. On the cover I write the score I got, list the questions I got wrong, common errors I made etc. 

3) Do you use b^3's practice exam tracker? If so, what do you think of it (in terms of preparation effectiveness) on a personal level?
Nope, I've decided to stick with my own practice exam spreadsheet that I used for midyears. It doesn't have half the functionality that b^3's does though. It's a lot simpler and the features it does have is tailored directly to my needs (if I've printed out an exam, when I intend on completing the exam etc.).

4) Do you use some sort of logbook for mistakes?
I plan on doing that this time, I'll probably just use a word document. Like I said before, I just wrote my errors on the cover pages of trial exams once I completed them for midyears.

5) What do you think of completing a trial exam more than once?
I'm completely okay with it. I'm intending on redoing the recent VCAA exams and the trial exams that I found hard. Of course, there will be a gap in time between when I first do a trial and then do it again. You don't really end up remembering the answers. This way you can maximise the amount of learning that can be gotten from a single trial exam.

[tony3272]

1) Is there a set order you do exams? VCAA first? By year? Certain companies?
This year i've just done all VCAA exams first. Then i just go to some of the harder companies to start off with.
I will generally do all the exams for one company and then move onto the next.

2) How do you organise your "Exams to do" as well as "Completed Exams"? More specifically, where do you put the completed exams afterwards?
I have a pile of paper which is about half a meter tall sitting next to my desk. Not very organised at all...
I've split it up by subject though, so i can just get to each exam i need easily.

3) Do you use b^3's practice exam tracker? If so, what do you think of it (in terms of preparation effectiveness) on a personal level?
I do indeed. I think it's really good. It's straight forward and helps me sort out which exams i've finished. Also, since it's set for all the subjects im doing there's no need for any modifications. Great score for the technology illiterate 

4) Do you use some sort of logbook for mistakes?
Not at the moment. I will once i start doing some specialist maths exams, and also for some chem/physics theory.

5) What do you think of completing a trial exam more than once?
I've never done it before. If anything, I'll redo some VCAA ones right before the exams.

[b^3]

1) Is there a set order you do exams? VCAA first? By year? Certain companies?
I normally do one or two VCAA exams first so that I can get used to the way they are marked and what they are looking for specifically. I try to look for things that are specific to the way VCAA marks, so that I don't lose marks on little things. Then move towards other companies and back to VCAA right before the exam.

2) How do you organise your "Exams to do" as well as "Completed Exams"? More specifically, where do you put the completed exams afterwards?
I print off say 5 at a time and pile them up so that I aim to decrease the pile and get them down (effectivelt that is, not rushing them). Completed exams go in a plastic folder (for now), until I run out of slots to put them in, then they end up in a (neat) pile on the floor.

3) Do you use b^3's practice exam tracker? If so, what do you think of it (in terms of preparation effectiveness) on a personal level?
Of course I do, afterall I did make it. So this will be a bit biased. But it works for me and well predicted both my mid year results. (Physics - A+, Chemistry - A)

4) Do you use some sort of logbook for mistakes?
Yes, I redo the questions that I get wrong, noting how many marks each question is worth and where to get those marks. I have methods in the front of the book and specialist in the back of the book. I don't pick and choose the ones to redo, I redo all of them, even if the mistake is 2+2=6, as the next time I come to the same situation, I am less likely to make the same mistake.

5) What do you think of completing a trial exam more than once?
I would say only do the VCAA ones more than once, and far enough apart from each other so that you don't remember most of the questions, but now should be able to know what the questions are asking and not making the same mistake twice.

[acinod]

1) Is there a set order you do exams? VCAA first? By year? Certain companies?
I do VCAA first. This is so I get a grasp of the overall style of the exam. I will of course re-do VCAA after I have finished all other practice exams usually a few days before the actual exam. After beginning with VCAA, I do the earliest exams first. As for companies, I just do all the exams in that particular year in alphabetical order of company names. This is just for convenience.

2) How do you organise your "Exams to do" as well as "Completed Exams"? More specifically, where do you put the completed exams afterwards?
All my exams are PDF. I have them up on my computer screen and then I write the answers in an exercise book. This saves money and the environment since I don't have to print off loads of paper. It also lets me navigate a lot quicker and is much more convenient.

3) Do you use b^3's practice exam tracker? If so, what do you think of it (in terms of preparation effectiveness) on a personal level?
I didn't use it for mid-years because I didn't know about it yet but I will definitely be using it from now on when I do practice exams. I haven't started yet though...

4) Do you use some sort of logbook for mistakes?
For physics, all my mistakes that weren't too careless was added to my cheat sheet. In the case of chemistry, these types of mistakes was written down in a logbook. My remaining two subjects are both maths and I guess I'll just put the mistakes in my 'bound reference' as well.

5) What do you think of completing a trial exam more than once?
If I got a really low score for a certain exam, I would do it again at the end. Of course, I would re-do VCAA (which I started with) after I have completed all other practice exams a few days before the actual exam. But this time I do the VCAA under timed conditions.

[Lasercookie]

2) How do you organise your "Exams to do" as well as "Completed Exams"? More specifically, where do you put the completed exams afterwards?
All my exams are PDF. I have them up on my computer screen and then I write the answers in an exercise book. This saves money and the environment since I don't have to print off loads of paper. It also lets me navigate a lot quicker and is much more convenient.

You've raised a good point. I think I will switch to using an exercise book for trial exams. It'd be much easier and not require all the messing around printing requires. I can't remember the reason I printed off exams.

The only thing I can think of is to get the "exam conditions" feel and get used to the amount of space available for working. Now I feel that this reason isn't that good - exam conditions is better replicated by enforcing a strict timeline on yourself. The amount of space thing isn't that important. It would better to try and keep your answers to about 1 line per mark.

I will probably still print off the final stretch of VCAA exams to do though.

edit: does it really save the environment since you would still have your computer turned on and consuming energy?

[b^3]

2) How do you organise your "Exams to do" as well as "Completed Exams"? More specifically, where do you put the completed exams afterwards?
All my exams are PDF. I have them up on my computer screen and then I write the answers in an exercise book. This saves money and the environment since I don't have to print off loads of paper. It also lets me navigate a lot quicker and is much more convenient.

The only thing I can think of is to get the "exam conditions" feel and get used to the amount of space available for working. Now I feel that this reason isn't that good - exam conditions is better replicated by enforcing a strict timeline on yourself. The amount of space thing isn't that important. It would better to try and keep your answers to about 1 line per mark.

Yeh I always have trouble fitting my "working" in the space provided (I seem to show alot for some reason, maybe because I'm afraid of losing marks) so that is why I print them off and as mentioned above to get the 'feel' of the exam and the conditions. Does everyone else do the practice exams under exam conditions i.e. time limit, no communicating, no phones e.t.c?

I do think that the pdf screen idea is a good one though.

[Lasercookie]

For when I'm doing practice exams for exam revision, I sit them in exam conditions. The main thing for me is the time limit. I will go later finish the exam if I don't finish. I'll turn off msn etc. but I will be open to disruptions - toilet break etc.

I got a bit slack with the later exams during midyear. Exam conditions is something I will strictly adhere to this time around, since it was my major weakness for the physics midyear.

Otherwise if it's just for studying for sacs, i.e. during this term, I will just do the questions timed for each question (e.g. 3 minutes max for one question).

[nacho]

I do think that the pdf screen idea is a good one though.

Yea, i did this for IT last year too. What i noticed was that the freedom of space offerred before in an exercise book isnt available in the lines given, so it's best to get used to the exam format. That and i didnt have to colour any bubbles in for multiple choice, and that will all up add a bit of time, especially with rubbing out and stuff.
i don't think it made a huge impact, however, but im doing all my exams hard copy this year.

For exams, i always try doing mine with distractions and uncomfortable environments, so im used to any difficulties during the actual exam. I always keep the t.v so its at a distratcing volume.

[paulsterio]

1) Is there a set order you do exams? VCAA first? By year? Certain companies?
By year, nearest one first, work backwards to the start of the study design (:

2) How do you organise your "Exams to do" as well as "Completed Exams"? More specifically, where do you put the completed exams afterwards?
I have an "checklist" which i made containing a list of my practice exams, tick them off as i go

3) Do you use b^3's practice exam tracker? If so, what do you think of it (in terms of preparation effectiveness) on a personal level?
No, personally because I have developed my own system of managing exam papers, and I kinda feel some pride in using my system (sorry b^3)

4) Do you use some sort of logbook for mistakes?
NO - too much effort - I keep a mental note of my mistakes

5) What do you think of completing a trial exam more than once?
I do all my practice exams 3 times, I believe its better to re-do a practice exam rather than do another one because it gives you an indication of how you would deal with a question similar to one you have met in future, which is the whole point of doing practice exams! Obviously if you make the same mistakes again, then you haven't learnt anything
- This idea courtesy to my physics teacher

[b^3]

3) Do you use b^3's practice exam tracker? If so, what do you think of it (in terms of preparation effectiveness) on a personal level?
No, personally because I have developed my own system of managing exam papers, and I kinda feel some pride in using my system (sorry b^3)

No problem, whatever works for you. It's just there for those who don't have those skills in making something like that, those who want to critque their exam results by interpretting the stats and for those who are just lazy.

[Vincezor]

Now that it is the holiday and most of you have finished the course for your subjects, it is probably a better time to re-ask the questions, as holidays are probably going to be spent doing practice exams!

So yeah, just a little bump here (and hope this gains enough exposure) that we can get some more responses from the community!

One thing that has changed over the past month or so is that I've started using b^3's exam tracker spreadsheet now, and it is pretty good at keeping track of things! One weird thing that happened though was that the score for my 5th Methods Exam 1 is that it shows my score as '0' (zero) on the stats graph, which is puzzling and makes me look kinda bad

I keep all my printed exams (complete and to do) in manilla folders that I stole off my dad, as well as made a "holiday timetable" (Yeah, I have no life) that I made out of excel just to plan out my studying.


Hope to see more responses soon (hopefully )

[burbs]

1) Is there a set order you do exams? VCAA first? By year? Certain companies?

VCAA last, other companies in ascending order by year.

2) How do you organise your "Exams to do" as well as "Completed Exams"? More specifically, where do you put the completed exams afterwards?

Printed them out, i put the exam in a pile when its done.

3) Do you use b^3's practice exam tracker? If so, what do you think of it (in terms of preparation effectiveness) on a personal level?

No, I have my own system which is much more hi-tech and effective. Link to my system.

4) Do you use some sort of logbook for mistakes?

Yes. This is important. Do this.

5) What do you think of completing a trial exam more than once?

Once you have done all the other exams, why not?




Don't overthink this kind of stuff, it is a waste of time.... unless it really helps you, in which case continue!

[pi]

1) Is there a set order you do exams? VCAA first? By year? Certain companies?
I don't start with any one in particular, but I end with VCAAs.

2) How do you organise your "Exams to do" as well as "Completed Exams"? More specifically, where do you put the completed exams afterwards?
Chem/eng - Have a folder on my pc by year, just go through them alphabetically skipping ones that I've heard are 'bad' or 'useless'. Also, I would never do an exam more than once as I think I would recognise the questions.
Maths/physics - Have massive exam packs that I work through in order

3) Do you use b^3's practice exam tracker? If so, what do you think of it (in terms of preparation effectiveness) on a personal level?

No, I'm too lazy for that. It's a great initiative though!

4) Do you use some sort of logbook for mistakes?

Yes for methods and spesh. I make too many physics mistakes for one logbook, would fill that up after about 4 exams i think.

5) What do you think of completing a trial exam more than once?

No, don't see the point. You'll remember the answers/methods anyway. Maybe for a confidence boost?

[paulsterio]

Well, a little has changed since my last attempt at answering these questions so here's my take two of answering

1) Is there a set order you do exams? VCAA first? By year? Certain companies?
Like before, I do them by year, but that's purely out of organisational sake, working back to the start of the study design, within the year, I just do them randomly, no particular company first

2) How do you organise your "Exams to do" as well as "Completed Exams"? More specifically, where do you put the completed exams afterwards?
Well, I just kinda remember which exams I've done! It's not that hard! But now that I'm doing more exams I have two folders on my computer, one for the exams not completed and one for exams completed and I just move them over once I've finished them
Where do I put my completed exams? Well, I put them in the recycling wheelie bin out the front of my house - you know the one with the yellow lid, cause supposedly that's better for the environment than putting it in the trash

3) Do you use b^3's practice exam tracker? If so, what do you think of it (in terms of preparation effectiveness) on a personal level?
I don't use it, but I have my own little system of tracking my exams, my system actually splits up the exams, so for example in specialist maths, I would be able to put the questions into categories - such as Vectors, Complex Numbers, Calculus, Kinematics...etc
And then I am able to calculate my percentages for each category - so I know which one is my strongest (Kinematics/Dynamics/Calculus) and my weakest (Complex Numbers)

4) Do you use some sort of logbook for mistakes?
Yeah, my system of organisation keeps track of my mistakes for me and I make mental notes of careless errors

5) What do you think of completing a trial exam more than once? - Contributed by laseredd
Personally, I think that completing an exam two times is more important than completing a different exam because it shows what you have learnt since the last time you completed that exam and really and truly, if I don't get 100% the second time I do an exam, I will sit down and dissect why I didn't get 100%, you actually learn a lot by doing that