Phoenixhsc NEBOSH Revision Guide

7/21/2019 Phoenixhsc NEBOSH Revision Guide

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Revision and exam techniques

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It will be easier to get all the resources you need to revise well before

you start. It will be easier if you organise and update your notes throughout the

course.

If you haven't done this, spend one evening organising and ordering

everything you have.

Preparing to Revise

Types of study Aids:

• Note paper

• Course manual

• Example exam papers andpractical assignments

• Highlighters

• Coloured Pens and Pencils




A Suitable Environment

Your study environment should be:

Calm and quiet

Well lit

A good temperature

Full of nice, fresh air to keep youawake

Free from distraction (i.e. mobilephone, family, TV, alcohol etc.)

Large table or desk

A good chair and spacious desk.

Stationary and other study aids courseinformation

Keep hydrated and ensure you drinkplenty of fluids.

It is important to work in a comfortableenvironment.

Preparing to Revise




Revision Timetable If you have a revision timetable, fill in your study

Alternatively, make your own timetable, use a diary or wall-chart that is specific toyou.

Some people like to study early in the day, others prefer to study later on.

Tips for Time Management Do not intend to study all day.

Schedule breaks in your working day for fun, food, relaxation and exercise, but notall at once

Too much work can be as unproductive as too little work. A good way to start is towork for 50 minutes, then have a 10 minute break every hour.

Try to give each subject equal time, do not concentrate on one subject at theexpense of another.

Do difficult tasks at times when you are at your most productive.

Be realistic and disciplined - don't plan a schedule you can't manage.

Be flexible - you never know when an emergency will crop up.

Leave time at the end for reviewing what you have done and what you must still do.

Reward yourself when you achieve targets or goals.

Preparing to Revise




Revision should be as active as possible.

The best way to do this is to take theinformation you have and put it into adifferent format.

You should also try to use as many

different parts of your brain as possiblewhile revising.

For example, writing something inbright colours gives you a betterchance of remembering somethingthan if you write it in black because youare stimulating the part of your brainthat deals with colour as well as writteninformation.

Revision Techniques




Mind Mapping

If you didn't already know, a mind mapis a kind of advanced spider diagramthat makes good use of pictures,colours and spatial relations.

Mind maps increase your chances oflearning a subject because theystimulate multiple parts of your brain.

A mind map that is constructed withthought and care will be a much moreeffective learning method than asimple page of notes or a simplespider diagram.

Mind maps are easy to construct. You should be as imaginative as

possible when you are constructing amind map.

Revision Techniques




Mnemonics / Acronyms

Mnemonics techniques are good methods for remember key information.

You take the first letter or each word and form another word to remember.

Revision Techniques




Prompt Cards

Make some revision notes on small index cards.

You can carry round these prompt cards forrevising in short breaks.

Each card can contain a definition, a short list, a

summary. Don't try to fill the card with information. It will be

difficult to read - and remember..

Integrate different revision methods –rememberthat your brain will associate colours, symbols,pictures, music with different things.

Small prompt cards with key words/dates canbe just as useful as a page of notes, and youcan carry them in your pocket

Revision Techniques




Write ideas and facts on cards to use as „prompts‟

Create memory aids such as diagrams or mnemonics (e.g. SMART).However, please remember that you can‟t use your diagrams as the soleanswer in the exam; you can use it as a basis and expand it when it comesto writing your answer.

Write key facts on pieces of cards and display them around your house.

Study with a friend and test each others knowledge

Attend any revision classes that Phoenix HSC might be holding.

Work through past exam papers – this will test your knowledge and allowyou to become familiar with the exam format. If there‟s a question you can‟t answer then you know you need to go back and revise that subject.

Remember to reward yourself. Use rewards as incentive to do the revision.

Try and read around the subject that you are revising. You should try andresearch aspects outside of what is taught in the classroom to give you a

broader understanding of quality. It is also suggested that using real life examples will help illustrate your

answers more effectively. Try and think of some examples that back up youranswers in the exam.

Revision Techniques




Learning Styles

• Visual (spatial). - You prefer using pictures, images, and

spatial understanding.

• Aural (auditory-musical). - You prefer using sound andmusic.

• Verbal (linguistic). - You prefer using words, both in speechand writing.

•Physical (kinesthetic). - You prefer using your body, handsand sense of touch.

•Logical (mathematical). - You prefer using logic, reasoning andsystems.

•Social (interpersonal). - You prefer to learn in groups or withother people.

•Solitary (intrapersonal). - You prefer to work alone and useself-study.

You will probably be a combination of learning styles




Learning Styles




Learning Styles

KNOWING HOW TO LEARN,and knowing which strategies

work best, are valuable skills that

will assist you to perform well at

your exams.




Strategies to be Avoided - They do not work.

"I record the trainer on my dictaphone. If I play them

to myself while I sleep, they'll sink in and I won't

have to do any work while I'm awake.

Am I clever or what?"

"Cramming. Cram cram cram cram cram cram cram

cram cram cram cram cram cram cram cram cram cram cram." "I work all day every day. There's no time for breaks at exam time. That's what

I've always said."

"I find that if I leave my revision as long as possible, it makes me panic sobadly that I do everything really quickly and save myself loads of time."

"I just revise a few topics from each subject. I'm a lucky guy, There's alwayssomething I can answer when I do that."

"Revise? I don't have to revise, I remember it all the first time round, and if Ican't remember, then it's not worth knowing."

Revision Techniques




Using Past Papers to Revise

Passing exams is as much about technique as itis about knowledge.

Understand the style of the questions and scoring

criteria You need to practice your timing as well as your

recall of knowledge.

To start with, compare the notes you have againstthe questions asked on your example testquestions.

Make sure you have enough material to be able toanswer all the questions.

Exam Techniques




Day before the exam:

Use your revision tools (e.g. diagrams, mnemonics,

prompt cards etc) to check facts

Keep calm – don‟t try to learn new topics so close to

an exam. Don‟t stay up all night.

Exam Techniques




Answering Questions

Read through the paper and any instructions carefully – Before looking at the actualquestions, read the instructions and complete any compulsory information (name, dateetc).

Work out the timing – Divide your time according to the number of questions to beanswered. Split it proportionately if you have some questions (or parts of questions)which attract more marks than others.

Read the questions carefully. Read through the paper once and then re-read eachquestion. You might think a topic you've revised hasn't come up, when it is there but the

wording is unusual. Understand the concept of the question. Choose your best questions - Mark any questions you might answer, and then check

that you fully understand it. Do you have some relevant knowledge, ideas and evidencefor the ones you choose to answer?

Decide on question order . Some people like to start with the topic they know best togive them a good start

Read through your paper and analyse your answers:- filling in gaps, correct any

errors

Exam Techniques

NEBOSH Certificate

suggested timings




Maximising your marks

Think about what the question is actually asking . What are you expected to include in your answer? Whatmaterial will be relevant ? The most common complaint from markers is that the student didn't answer thequestion.

Plan before you write – The stress of working under time constraints in the exam room can make all yourgood study intentions disappear. However, this is when it's more important than ever to get your ideasacross clearly and concisely. Take a few minutes to think and plan:

Underline the key words in the question;

Identify the main topic and discussion areas..

Choose a few points/arguments about which you can write .

Make a mini-plan which puts them in order before you start writing. You can cross it through afterwards.

Referencing in exams – You should be able to refer by name (spelt correctly!) legislation in your topic.You are not expected to give specific sections of the acts/regulations.

What to do if your mind goes blank – most students fear this happening. If it does – put your pen down,take a deep breath, sit back and relax for a moment. If you're in the middle of an answer, read throughwhat you have written so far – what happens next? If you have to remember formulae, try associatingthem with pictures or music while revising. If you really can't progress with this answer, leave a gap. It willprobably come back to you once you are less anxious.

If you are running out of time – don't panic. Look at the questions you have left to answer and divide upyour remaining time to cover them all. Be very economical – make one point support it with evidence andthen move on to the next point. If you really can't finish in time, briefly list the points you wanted to make – they could pick you up a few marks.

Exam Techniques




Maximising your marks

Presentation - Handwriting and grammar do not lose or gain marks, however it has to bereadable! Remember that the exams are marked by humans so the easier it is to mark, theeasier it is to give marks for.

Action Verbs - Take note of the “action verb” at the start of each question. As a general rule,if a question asks you to “Identify”, “state" or “list” then a simple list will do. If however, thequestion asks for “outline”, “describe” or “explain”, then your answer should be in sentences,preferably with an example to illustrate.

Keep it Brief - We have already said that you must comply with the action verb, but do not be

tempted to waffle on or give long introductions to your answer – this is not required. There areno marks for “star quality” – just answer the question.

“Bankers” - This is important. There are certain answers which will be relevant time and timeagain, for example: risk assessment, training, supervision, PPE etc. Put reproducing this listwithout relating it to the specific question will not gain marks

“Outline the precautions to be taken when a minor repair is to be carried out on a fragileroof”.

Carry out a risk assessment – 0 marks

Carry out an initial risk assessment to identify the hazards from roof work and decide on the necessaryprecautions – 1 mark

Provide adequate information, instruction and training – 0 marks

Provide information, instruction and training on the hazards and associated precautions involved in roofwork – 1 mark

Exam Techniques




Action verb meaning

define - provide a generally recognised or accepteddefinition

describe - give a word picture

explain - give a clear account of, or reasons for

give - provide without explanation (used normally with

the instruction to „give an example [or examples] of ...‟) identify - select and name

list - provide a list without explanation

outline - give the most important features of (less depththan either „explain‟ or „describe‟, but more depth than„list‟)

sketch - provide a simple line drawing using labels toidentify specific features

state - a less demanding form of „define‟, or wherethere is no generally recognised definition

Exam Techniques




The most important points to remember when you revise :

Start early, the earlier the better.

Be organised, make a timetable.

Revise where you are most comfortable.

Use techniques that are the best for you.

Take regular breaks to digest and process

information

And finally…. Enjoy !

Revision Techniques

Documents

Phoenixhsc NEBOSH Revision Guide