PAST QUESTIONS

PAST QUESTIONS, BENEFITS OF 'HIND SIGHT'

Today, we want to share a principle with you dear reader. Some students under utilise this major principle. Others don't apply it properly, not fully applying it's potential to change their academics for the better. Students don't take it seriously, hence the need to shed light on the issue.

We're gonna be talking about the principle of HIND SIGHT. By Hind Sight, we mean the ability to look back, taking a closer look at past events, observing the important trends or rule of occurrence, and making meaning of the whole thing, to improve our present and future.

In the context of academics, this principle is applied in the form of Past Questions.  Yes! Past questions! Its funny, to think that some students are yet to discover this secret of achieving academic success.

Let's read on!

EXAM QUESTIONS FOLLOW AN OBSERVABLE TREND

In most cases, past questions follow an observable trend. When you flip through the pages, while solving problems, you will most likely observe a general trend. Students like to call it the PATTERN. Thus In most cases, examiners follow a pattern of setting exam questions. Exams like Jamb, WAEC and GCE are classical examples. These examination bodies, have accumulated a large database of questions over the years, and due to the fact that millions of students take these exams yearly, they can't always afford to set new questions. They simply shuffle the database and select randomly.

In most Nigerian universities, year one undergraduate students sit for semester examinations, that are usually set in a similar way. There is an eighty percent chance that your 100L exams will likely be set from past questions. This is one of the reasons you should take past questions seriously while studying.

PAST QUESTIONS INDICATE HOW MUCH OF THE TOPIC YOU NEED TO KNOW

Students attend lectures everyday all over the country. We are taught a variety of topics that are 'bulky' in nature. If you try to read every letter, you would be chasing shadows. Past questions reveal AREAS OF CONCENTRATION, that you can focus on. Areas, where you can channel all your effort and limited time, so as to avoid pitfalls while reading. Practicing past questions, help you hone your skills in the topics involved. Whenever you study, there is therfore a need to avoid READING IRRELEVANT AREAS'. This is where past questions come in. Studies have shown that ninety percent (90%) of top students always practice ahead of time, using this method.

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF PAST QUESTIONS

As you have seen, pass questions if used correctly can turn a B into an A. How can you get the most out of practicing past questions? Some key points are explained below:

(a) START EARLY: When I was going to write JAMB early in 2015, I started preparing since OCTOBER 2014, with the available past questions compilations. Initially, I scored about 25 out of 50 questions per year in CHEMISTRY. I was in a similar score range for the other subjects. I consistently read notes and practiced the booklets, and was able to push it up to 35-40 range. By the time I was done, I had finished the booklet on chemistry. Results came, and I scored 68 in Chemistry, 65 in biology, and 64 in physics. I had 48 in English because I only practiced English language questions TWO DAYS to the exam.

In my 100L first semester, we took three general courses form all students, irrespective of your discipline. I was to write GNS exams, so I started preparing three weeks to the exams, using notes and past questions. Results came, and i had 91% in GNS 105. God does it all, but ALWAYS START EARLY.

(b) DON'T CRAM ANSWERS (UNLESS ITS NECESSARY!): Avoid memorising past question answers, without understanding the workings involved. That's why you need to start early. Though PATTERNS are observable, there is a big possibility of examiners changing the figures. Sometimes though, it is necessary to memorise SOME ANSWERS. Just put in effort and leave the rest for God.

(c) TAKE NOTE OF KEY SUB TOPICS: When you study and practice past questions, make sure to take note of the important sub topics. WHICH AREAS COME OUT THE MOST? Go back to read up on them. Try to answer the questions again. If your booklet has answers, compare methods. Sometimes those publishers print wrong workings.

By the time you've finished, you'll see that you have a sound overview of the EXAMINATION you are about to write. Its all about consistency. Its about practicing so hard, gradually, that by God's grace it becomes passing the exam or course becomes inevitable.

Good luck!