In recent years, we have been hearing about mass failure in examinations such as SSCE, WASSCE, UTME, Post-UTME, among others. While some people attributed the failure to poor educational system, others linked it to excessive use of social media by the students.
My major concern is the distress caused to the poor parents who struggle to gather money to pay for the exams of their children; only to realize that they have only succeeded in pouring water into baskets- no return on investment.
All these among many others got me thinking on how to overcome the challenges so that we could all rewrite our educational history. I have come up with some practical tips on how to achieve outstanding success in examinations with special focus on the fast-approaching post-UTME exams of tertiary institutions. Here are the exam success tips:
Tip 1: Get accurate information about the exam you intend to write- the date, subjects, venue and other special instructions as they pertain to the institution you are applying to.
Tip 2: Develop positive mental attitude towards the exam. No matter the institution or subjects you intend to write, consider the exam as a factor that is essential for your progress in your education. Disregard every negative comments you might have received about the school or course you are applying for. Only think on the positive comments.
Tip 3: Believe that you have the potential and the capability to achieve outstanding excellence. No matter what your current educational status or level is, it takes only few minutes or even seconds for you to turn your performance around- Believe that God has equipped you with all the resources you need to succeed. That is the major basis of all outstanding success today.
Tip 4: Create a study plan (timetable) for yourself. Assign time to each of the subjects and don’t forget to include break time. It is good to include few minutes of relaxation.
Tip 5: Identify your best reading/ studying style for each subject. When in the day do you experience optimum assimilation for each of the subjects? Utilize those periods very well based on your timetable.
Tip 6: Manage your time very well. You will need to spend less time on social media or rather use the social media for educational purpose by creating virtual study groups where you could connect with your friends online to discuss specific topics in each of the subjects.
Tip 7: Take note of important and key points. When you read, ensure you jot down important points. You will need this for quick revision as the examination day approaches.
Tip 8: Always study with full concentration. When you have decided to study, ensure that there are no distractions and make up your mind not to distract yourself as well. With this properly applied, you can achieve more in little time.
Tip 9: Always solve past questions. If there are past questions available for the subjects you are studying, it is always good to get them or borrow from friends; and try to solve as many past questions as possible after completely reading each topic. The reality is that there are no new questions, there are only modified questions. Solving past questions will help you to understand how questions are set and how to answer them correctly.
Tip 10: Form discussion group with serious students. If you have friends that are also preparing for similar exams, it is good to form a discussion group with them. This will aid remembrance of key points.
Tip 11: Always revise. The major practice that will ensure long-term retention of what you have read is constant revision. Create a revision plan and always revise before going to bed. It is also good to revise what you have previously read at periodic intervals.
Tip 12: Attend a good tutorial centre. This is also important as it creates a platform for better commitment to the exams. It also reduces every form of distraction and fosters progressive studying. There are very few good tutorial centres around. Try to find good ones and enroll with a purpose of achieving outstanding excellence. I can recommend one that is really making impacts in Osun State: Apex Tutorial Centre, Ile-Ife (www.apextutorialcentre.com). They were recently awarded the best tutorial centre in Osun State. I have been to the centre and I was really inspired by the great commitments of their staff members towards the success of the students.
In conclusion, I believe that by diligently applying all the exam success tips discussed above, you will achieve unique excellence that you might not have achieved before; but don’t forget to pray. You cannot achieve it by your strength alone, pray to God for outstanding success!
I wish you all the best.
Let’s join hands and fight mass failure in examinations. Share this post with your friends- Don’t read it alone.

Ok. Gud work.

It is also important to eat good food. This is because reading or studying requires energy.

It is also important for you to identify the number of hours you can read with high level of assimilation each day. Take a break if you feel you need to.

Welldone...Gud job

Another way to improve one's retention ability is to use a good memorization technique such as linking what you read to an object or something else.

Here is another tip: If you are finding it difficult to understand a particular topic, you could consider creating its audio format (by reading it loud and simultaneously recording it with your mobile phone) and listening to it regularly. That way, you will understand it within the shortest time possible.
All the best!