�Ӱ�ԭ��

Finalize Your Exam Plan

By April, reviewing shifts into implementation. Make sure your plan is exam‑ready:

• Double‑check all exam dates, times, and locations.
• If you use accommodations (e.g., extra time), verify your bookings in your or connect with your PMC Coordinator if anything looks incorrect.
• Prioritize earlier exams or those with heavier grading weight.
• Use realistic study blocks (e.g., 45 minutes study + 15 minutes break) to assist with deeper focus and great productivity.
• Keep a weekly visual schedule to stay focused and avoid surprises.

Explore the Study Module in the Brightspace course PMC Learning Strategies for templates and tools

• How to Register:
  1. In the ��ྱ�����DZ����” tab, search and select Enrol.
  2. If you don’t see the course, you may already be enrolled. Check your Brightspace “Select a Course” menu.

If you have questions, contact the PMC Learning Strategies Team at PMC_LS@cunet.carleton.ca.

Maximize Your Tools

The best study resources and questions are often found in your textbooks and websites connected to your textbooks. Check these out first!

These digital tools can streamline your studying as exams approach:

• for spaced repetition and flashcards
• for flashcards and student-made study sets
• for generating personalized study quizzes
• for organizing notes and creating audio summaries

Experiment and mix tools to find what supports your learning most effectively.

Take-Home or 24-Hour Exams

The Winter term often includes various exam formats. For take-home or online exams:

• Read the full instructions before starting.
• Create a brief outline to guide your responses.
• Keep track of citations as you work.
• Proofread before submitting (reading aloud can help).
• Don’t procrastinate, distribute your time over the allowed window.

Final Projects, Papers & Presentations

End-of-term projects require planning:

• Break projects into smaller, manageable steps
  • example: research → drafting → editing → slides.
• Set mini deadlines to keep pace.
• Practice presentations aloud or record yourself to build confidence.
• Use rubrics and assignment descriptions to make sure you’re meeting expectations.

Timed Exams

Timed exams, whether in person or online, require a clear strategy to use your time effectively and avoid feeling rushed. Here are tips to help you stay focused and confident:

• Arrive early (or log in early) to get settled and reduce stress before the clock starts.
• Take a few minutes to do a “brain dump” on a blank piece of paper before looking at or starting your exam. This can include formulas, dates, theories, definitions, or key concepts you reviewed.

It helps build confidence by showing you do know the content, and it acts like a personal reference sheet so your working memory can focus on reading and answering questions rather than trying to hold everything at once.

• Preview the whole exam first (*not always possible with online exams) so you understand the structure, question types, and how to pace yourself.

• Start with easier questions to build momentum and secure quick points.
• Budget your time by dividing the total exam time by the number of questions or sections.
• Keep an eye on the clock without checking so often that it distracts you, set small mental checkpoints or make physical markers on your test page during your preview to check the time after a certain number of questions.
• If you get stuck, move on and return later. It’s better to complete all questions you can answer before spending too long on a difficult one.
• Use any concluding minutes to review for missing questions, repeated errors, or misreads.

For Online Exams:

• Ensure your device is charged and updates are disabled during the exam period.
• Have a stable workspace and limit distractions.
• Save your work frequently, if the system allows.

Timed exams can feel high-pressure, but with pacing, planning, and steady progress, you’ll maximize your performance.

April exams can be challenging, but you’re not facing them alone. Pace yourself, stay organized, and trust your preparation. When in doubt reach out to PMC_LS@cunet.carleton.ca for more tips and supports.