How to ACE Physics Exams: 12 Study Tips

12 Study tips that helped us ace physics exams. We hope they work for you too! :)
Presented by: Dr. Becky Smethurst and Dr. Jena Meinecke (University of Oxford)
--------- BONUS advice ---------
Tip #1: Repetition
-- For longer problems, practice setting up the problem several times. (e.g. The first two lines of equations OR draw the diagram)
-- Hint: these can also be made into flashcards for quicker repetition
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Tip #2: Don't Cram
-- Start early!!
-- Set a reasonable schedule for yourself (e.g. 2-3 hours each evening for 1 week) Unreasonable time allocations lead to cramming
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Tip #3: 24 Hour Rule
-- REALLY convince yourself of the earlier deadline
-- Test anxiety? Train yourself with this tip by confronting anxiety 24 hours prior. Take deep breaths and remind yourself you've worked hard.
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Tip #4: Variety of Problems
-- Check various textbooks for their homework problems (not just the assigned textbook).
-- Look at unassigned problems in your normal textbook.
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Tip #5: Active Mind
-- Why?? Have you ever drawn a blank when you SHOULD know an equation? Maintaining an active mind gives you a better chance to pull on random information that can help (perhaps from other classes).
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Tip #6: Teach
-- Turn the tables. If you were the teacher, how would you explain the material to your classmates?
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Tip #7: (Also) Study when tired
-- Why?? (1) To avoid putting things off, and (2) to practice working through tough problems with a cloudy mind.
-- You will likely make MORE mistakes when you study tired. LEARN FROM THIS!! What do you keep forgetting? Those are things you're likely to forget on an exam. Write it down and make flashcards.
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Tip #8: Flashcards
-- For equations: put the first half on one side and the second half on the other
-- For mechanics: put drawings with labels on one side
-- For long problems: put the question on one side and first line of equations on the other
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Tip #9: Talk to your teachers
-- Ask them "What would you focus on?" "How would you prepare?"
-- For very difficult problems, it doesn't hurt to ask if something that hard will show up
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Tip #10: Anticipate Questions
-- How many problems will be on the exam? Determine the difficulty of the problems based on that info. (e.g. If there are only 3 problems and 60 mins, the problems will be long and complicated with many parts. If there are 10 problems in 40 mins, then you will benefit from studying diverse problems.)
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Tip #11: Attend Class
-- Professors will sometimes (accidentally) hint at potential questions. Don't miss this!
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Tip #12: Change your study location
-- Test anxiety? This can help, especially if you practice problems in public places where you feel more vulnerable.
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Music:
Bloc by KV / kvmusicprod
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b…
Music provided by Music for Creators • Bloc - KV

[@SimplifytheEquation]

We hope you enjoyed the video! :) What are YOUR favourite study tips?

[@robertsparkman8516]

Pretend to teach someone, make sure your imaginary someone asks lots of questions. Imaginary students don't have to be brought up to your level, they already are.

[@AmbassadorSoriano]

During the exam, be slightly dehydrated so you don't need to use the facilities (especially if you're not allowed to), and have a candy bar handy in case you need a kick (Milky Way, perhaps?). My old roommate's advice: It's like the Emergency Broadcast System - it's only a test. (Then again, he majored in art).

[@ammaeaar]

'You are not going to take the exam in your bedroom' 2020Me: *in a pandemic, confined*

[@JessicaLamOWAY]

Love these 12 tips on acing physics exams. Definitely worth implementing these.

[@juliemeinecke7976]

This is great information! Really enjoyed watching this. Keep them coming!

[@InesMarusic]

excellent tips and great job with the video!

[@trueshinobi1058]

final exam on Tuesday Starting to study today! thx for the tips!

[@AmbassadorSoriano]

Yay, a fellow Bruin. I wish I had a couple of those tips when I was in engineering. Thanks.

[@SimplifytheEquation]

Fight fight fight! 👊 🤓

[@AmbassadorSoriano]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@clearflow7925]

3:52 I really like this one. Guilty as charged. Got a physics 1 test on Monday. Thank you Drs.

[@nspaghettified]

This was greatly helpful!! Thanks!!!

[@himsoni7112]

😄IT seems like all the Best Advices that I've ever heard are in this Video.. Thank you ❤ for that... Physics is so challenging for me.. And yur suggestions really helped a lot.. At least for now..

[@zp_suki2836]

I’m sooo happy I found this video! I was freaking out because I had a test tomorrow!

[@matiasbatalla8713]

I love you, thank you for this video. Tip#1 repetition and tip#8. greetings from Argentina

[@sayaliSays]

m gonna try this from today...Your vdo will be a huge part of my physics preparation..Thnxx😊🙏love from india❤️

[@pavanipabodha399]

Thank you very much!

[@lawrencechileshe3382]

I love it thanks guys 💕💖

[@simiali2876]

Great information

[@snguyen7311]

I feel like if you wanna guarantee to passsing your class you gotta practice as many problems as you possibly can understanding them of course. That way there are no surprises and you’re fully prepared

[@ankanhalder8341]

Thank you so much Physics is the best

[@whosshiraz5431]

Gd luck with your phy exams

[@trueshinobi1058]

Another final exam on aug.11 got to ace this one

[@perrydowd9285]

Physics wasn't a problem for me, but forty years after THAT biol exam the mere mention of ornathine-trans-carbamamalase (I hope I spelled that correctly) sends me into a panic attack.

[@sabrinashaoul]

Where are you Dr.? can you make more videos please

[@julekacouffaine5372]

5:00

[@norman9052]

I think the hottest women are women that are intelligent yet humble and friendly. These girls are so attractive lol

[@dedopest3305]

Exactly

[@yuvraj6356]

What the heck are you talking about in a physics video

[@richiegrey5377]

1 repetitive( boys 👦 ) ha ha ha ha