NYAKALLO TEFU
At the beginning of October, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced an official government countdown to the matric exams for the Class of 2020.
This will mark the largest matric exams in post-apartheid South Africa with an estimated total of 1 058 699 learners registered to sit for the exams.
We are now three days away.
Inside Education, with the assistance of the Western Cape provincial government has prepared general tips on how to prepare for the matric exams.
General tips:
TIME MANAGEMENT|
- Draw up a special study schedule
- 50-minute study blocks and 10-minute breaks work well. Select fixed study-times for every day including a time slot over weekends;
- Use the school holidays wisely.
- Study for at least 3 hours a day during the holidays;
- Study skills and strategies become study habits only if they are practised regularly;
- Break up topics into manageable sections.
- Estimate the time needed, and then double it!
HOW TO STUDY|
– Decide when you work best, e.g. early morning, afternoons, evenings;
– Where do you like to work, at Home? Library? School?
– Where can you work undisturbed? Set up a place for your studying – table, chair, uncluttered workspace, good lighting;
– Do you work well with others? Do you have a friend who could be your study buddy?
– How do you best remember information? Seeing? Hearing? Through action?
– Have different preferred learning styles, but use them all;
– Make your studying active by using study methods, writing, drawing, summarizing, chanting or teaching your study buddy;
– Concentrate fully and try not to allow your mind to wander. This improves with practice
– Avoid last-minute cramming.
EFFECTIVE EXAMINATION WRITING TECHNIQUES|
– Arrive early and ready to begin;
– Read and understand the instructions;
– Preview the question paper and allocate your writing time appropriately;
– Tackle each question systematically;
– Write down something for every question;
– Set out your answers clearly;
– If you feel you are unable to answer a question, don’t panic and allow anxiety to affect how you are going to fare in the exam;
– Review and make corrections;
– Stay until the end.
RESOURCES FOR MATRICS|
- Woza Matrics learning programme
- Siyavula online learning platform
- Matric exams official government FAQ
- Past exam papers going back to 2008
(COMPILED BY INSIDE EDUCATION STAFF)
