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Useful references - exams

  • Approaches to academic reading and writing

    Arnaudet, M & Barrett, ME, 1984, Prentice-Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

    pp 170-186 (the essay examination) is useful.
  • Study

    Barrass, R, 1984, Chapman and Hall, London

    Chapter 12 offers useful tips on planning final revision and practising answers to examination questions.
  • How to improve your test-taking skills

    Boone, RS, 1996, VGM Career Horizons, Chicago

    pp 204-229 (timed essay writing) gives an extensive step-by-step guide to writing an essay, with good exercises in developing a thesis, designing a plan, writing & editing. Also includes sample student essays.
  • Handbook of student skills

    Burdess, N, 2nd ed. 1998, Prentice Hall, Australia

    Chapter 5 gives an overview of short answer, multiple-choice, essay and open book exams and how to prepare before and during the exam.
  • Survive exams: study effectively and succeed

    Cadogan, J, 1995, Hobsons Press, Sydney

    Advice is presented with common sense and humour. There are useful summaries at the end of each section and 'countdown to exams' checklists.
  • Write in time, essay exam strategies

    Campanell, JF & Price, JL, 1991, Holt, Rinehart & Winston, Orlando, Florida

    pp 20-35 (taking a timed writing exam: rules of thumb) covers tips on identifying key words, planning, writing and proof-reading for essays.
  • What you need to know about developing study skills, taking notes and tests, using dictionaries and libraries

    Coman, MJ & Heavers, KL, 1991, NTC Publishing, Lincolnwood, Chicago

    Unit 3 (taking tests) has useful advice on memorising material, relieving anxiety and using test-taking strategies. Also includes exercises which provide practice in answering multiple-choice, true-false and other objective tests.
  • The intelligent student's guide to learning at university

    Cooper, G, 2003, Common Ground, Altona, Vic.

    Chapter 6, pp. 109-128. As well as covering the basic points of exam preparation it also has comments from students to other students and brief reflection and evaluation exercises.
  • The study skills handbook

    Cottrell, S, 1999, Palgrave, Basingstoke, UK

    Chapter 11 (revisions and exams). As well as covering good exam strategies this chapter encourages good revision suggestions.
  • Writing for academic success

    Craswell, G, 1999, Palgrave, Basingstoke, UK.

    There is a very good section on coursework exams (pp. 118-129) how to set up a revision plan and exam room strategies looking at different types of questions.
  • Studying part-time

    De Fazio, T, 2002, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW

    Chapter 10 covers the main points of exam strategies and also strategies for avoiding time-wasting.
  • Studying part-time without stress

    Dixon, J, 1988, Penguin, Ringwood, Vic.

    Exam preparation is dealt with in pages 53-65. Chapter 7 'Stress, Anxiety and Performance', may be particularly useful for the mature age student returning to study.
  • Exam preparation kit

    Gilchrist, R & Farrugia, D, 1998, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic.

    Designed for Off-campus learners, this booklet covers the points you need to know when preparing for exams. The CD has interviews with students about study and managing time, with staff about what they expect from their students' answers and with study advisors.
  • The Q Manual

    Kimberley, N & Crosling, G, 2005, Faculty of Bus/Eco, Monash University, Clayton

    This comprehensive booklet was developed for the Faculty of Business & Economics students on all aspects of student work. Chapter 12 covers exam preparation and operating efficiently in exams. It also has a good checklist.
  • The student's guide to exam success

    Tracy, E, 2002, Open University Press, Buckingham, UK

    A comprehensive book which covers every aspect of studying and preparing for exams. It gives good learning and memory techniques and as well as study structures.
  • Surviving first year uni

    Williams, L & Germov, J, 2001, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW

    Chapter 11 pp.132-153 is a good chapter on the fundamental skills you need for surviving exams.
  • Tackling that test: everything you wanted to know about taking tests and exams

    Withers, G, 1991, ACER, Hawthorn, Vic.

    This is a book has lots of examples from tests of all kinds - with correct answers listed so that you can check to see whether you are right - and also helps to gain insight into the mind of the tester.
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