Students set for testing time (+video)

John Paul College head girl Rebecca Colby has been preparing for exams. Photo / Stephen Parker

Rebecca Colby knows all too well how important it is to keep your cool during the lead-up to exams.

The John Paul College head girl says it all comes down to preparation and that means not leaving all your revision for the week before exams start.

NCEA examinations start tomorrow for high school students in Years 11, 12 and 13.

The 17-year-old told the Rotorua Daily Post exam time was not so stressful for her because she "did the leg work during the year".

"I revise all my school notes at the end of each week and rewrite them out. It does take a bit of time but you retain the information better and when it comes to pulling your notes out at the end of the year, you find a lot of it you remember.

"It's important not to compare your efforts to what other people are doing because that's when you start to put pressure on yourself and you lose confidence," Rebecca said.

"If you know you have done as much study as you could and you go into the exam and give it your best go then you should be proud of yourself."

Rebecca said she wanted to finish her schooling with good grades before she moved to Auckland next year to start university.

John Paul College principal Patrick Walsh said teachers had been holding extra tutorials for students at lunch time, after school and on weekends.

"Exams are starting a bit earlier which does put pressure on students and teachers to get through the syllabus in time and that can be quite stressful for them.

"But in saying that, students are not as heavily reliant on exams as they can get the majority of their credits through internal assessments."

He said the school had sent messages to parents encouraging them to make sure students had study timetables, were sleeping and eating well and had cut down part-time work in the lead-up to exams.

Rotorua Lakes High School deputy principal Jo Sturme said examinations were at the forefront of everybody's minds.

"There are always those few students who have a more stressful lead-up to exams just as there are always those who thrive during exam time. There has been the odd tear here and there but for the most part it has been fine."

She said the school had a revision "guru" visit classes to give students study tips and "make sure they are looking after themselves".

More information about NCEA exams can be found on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website - see www.nzqa.govt.nz.

Study tips

* Choose a place to study: You need a quiet, organised and well-lit space.

* Revision: You need to know what is required to achieve each standard.

* Know the exam timetable: Make sure you know where your exams are, and when.

* Get prepared: Make sure you know how you are going to get to the exams and what the exam room rules are at your school.

* Balance study with free time: It is important that you keep positive and relaxed.

* Take regular breaks, eat well, go outside, and get plenty of sleep - especially the night before an exam.

Source: New Zealand Qualifications Authority.