Library Basics Week 9: Preparing for your first exam or end-of-year assessment
Preparing for exams or end-of-year assessments (EoUAs) can be stressful, but with all the skills you have built throughout the trimester, we’re confident you have what you need to be successful.
Looking for a little extra support or advice? Our top exam and EoUA tips are here to help.
1. Understand the requirements
Make sure you understand the requirements of your examinations or EoUAs, which you can find on your unit site. Some exams will be online and others face-to-face, so it’s important you go through the information Deakin provides. On this page, you can also find more tips on exam readiness and confidence from Student Services.
2. Don’t rely on open-book access
Having access to notes and relevant texts during your online exams or EoUAs may sound like a dream come true, but there are some pitfalls you should keep in mind.
- Applied knowledge matters: Online exams and EoUAs focus on applying concepts rather than recalling facts you can easily look up.
- Time is tight: You won’t have time to search your unit text or notes for every answer. Finding a resource, reading it and applying the concept takes valuable exam time.
- Access to e-books is limited: Some publishers restrict access to a few users at a time, meaning you could be locked out.
- Planning ahead pays off: Review key resources early and prepare notes with essential information to avoid last-minute access issues.
3. Prepare your space and computer setup
Give yourself plenty of time to set up in your exam space, check your equipment, and troubleshoot any issues. Preparing early and knowing what to expect is key for a smooth online or on-site exam experience.
Before the EoUA period commences, you should:
- read the exam rules (find them on your CloudDeakin unit site)
- watch the Get Online Exam Ready video
- read the Supervised online exams guide
- test your setup through the CloudDeakin Try-It-Out exam option
- know what to do on exam day
- know how to get help during the exam if you need it.
4. Make space for your mental health
As counterintuitive as it may seem, it really does help to relax. Look after your mental health and try to keep yourself stress-free and calm before an exam. Check out the Developing exam confidence page for detailed advice and techniques. Make use of the Library’s Reset Rooms if you need to take a study break and gather your thoughts. More on that next week!
5. Get help from the Library
Reach out to us via Library Chat or Contact your Librarian for specific queries or advice. Our libraries are often open extended hours during study and exam periods, so make sure you check out the hours for your campus and take advantage of any extra time in your favourite study space.
Are you in your first trimester at Deakin or returning to study after a break? We’ve got you covered. Each week, we’re sharing a tip, tool or service we think you should know about. The Library is key to your success at uni – make the most of everything we have to offer by following our Library Basics series.
Next week’s Library Basics blog will cover our tips for taking care of yourself during stressful study periods. Subscribe to Article to get the latest blogs from Deakin Library directly in your inbox.