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Welcome
Exam season can be a stressful time, especially when your revision hasn’t gone exactly as planned.
Between classes, deadlines, and everything else happening at once, it’s not unusual to realise there’s still a lot left to cover. Whatever the reason, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when tests are coming up fast.
At this stage, the goal shifts from mastering an entire subject to making the most of the time that remains and focusing on the areas that can help you secure marks where it matters most.
If you’re in that position now, don’t panic. You still have time to make it count.
With the below 6 strategic tips, you can still make meaningful progress and walk into the exam feeling more prepared than you think.
Here are 6 things you can do to prepare effectively within a short time-frame, without creating unnecessary pressure or burnout!
Covering every topic in detail with the time you have left isn’t realistic. Instead, focus on identifying high‑yield topics and prioritise those.
Start by reviewing two to three past papers for your subject, and note down which topics appear repeatedly. If a concept shows up in different formats across multiple papers, it is likely a core area.
Then, cross-check these topics against your own notes and class materials. Look for sections that were emphasised by your lecturer or covered over several lessons.
With this, you'll be able to identify a short list of 3-5 high-yield topics per subject.
Additionally, you can try the 80/20 rule, which is rooted in the Pareto principle. Basically, you narrow down the 20% of the course materials that will cover 80% of the exam content.
Overall, the key idea is to focus your exam revision efforts on areas that are most likely to appear, moving you away from passive studying and towards targeted preparation.
You already have your notes; now you just need to turn them into prompts that force you to think, such as with active recall tools!
To do this, choose one high-yield topic and give yourself a strict 30-minute block.
For the first 5 minutes, go over your notes as much as you can, focusing on definitions, processes, formulas, and the like. Afterwards, spend 15 minutes actively recalling.
Put your notes aside and do one of the following:
The final 10 minutes should be dedicated to identifying your weak spots and focusing solely on those gaps.
Then, test yourself again immediately, while the material is fresh on your mind.
Keep the cycle going across your revisions in this manner—one topic, one 30-minute block, and a short break. With this, you'll be able to cover more topics in a productive manner.
One of the most effective revision techniques is to simulate the exam itself.
Attempting questions under exam conditions helps you become familiar with the timing, structure, and pressure you’ll face at the exam venue.
Even if you cannot complete an entire paper, practising individual questions is still valuable.
In particular, pay attention to how you interpret questions and structure your answers. This highlights the gaps in your understanding, allowing you to address them directly rather than revising blindly.
What's more, it also helps you build confidence and shake off your nerves on exam day!
During last-minute revision, your biggest challenge is deciding what to study and what to let go.
This matters because many students spend too much time stuck on low-impact areas instead of securing marks elsewhere.
A simple rule can help you make these decisions: only engage a topic if it can significantly impact your score or directly improves your ability to answer common questions.
In other words, if a topic is rarely tested or is overly complex for your current understanding, it may be better to skip it and move on.
That being said, skipping does not mean you should ignore everything. Instead, aim for a minimum understanding where possible, as it may help you pick up partial marks later on.
Having a pragmatic approach not only reduces stress but also helps you concentrate your energy where it matters most.
When cramming at the last second, the last thing you may be thinking about is creating a plan. However, it can actually make your study sessions more fruitful.
A clear structure can help you focus when the stakes are high and ensure you cover what matters most.
Here are some examples of what you can do with the time you have left:
While you still have some flexibility, you still need to be selective.
Map out your schedule, identify high-yield topics across each subject, and allocate time blocks to each.
Then, combine understanding with practice by clarifying key concepts and applying them through questions or recall tasks.
If you have extra time, use it for reinforcement with spaced repetition, where you review study materials at varying intervals.
The priority here should be recall and familiarity, not learning new content.
Spend the first half of the day revising important topics, and avoid spending too long trying to understand difficult concepts from scratch.
If it helps, watch quick summaries you can find on YouTube, which you can do by searching "topic + 10 minutes explanation".
During revision, you can use the Pomodoro method — studying in focused 25-minute blocks followed by a 5-minute break. This helps maintain concentration and prevents mental fatigue, especially when working through multiple topics in one sitting.
For the second half of the day, shift towards application. For this, you can attempt past questions and practice under light exam conditions.
Avoid starting new topics. Use the limited time available to strengthen what you already know so you can recall it clearly during the exam.
Review summaries, bullet point notes, or mind maps instead of full notes. If possible, test yourself immediately to keep it from being passive.
All in all, be intentional with how you spend each second leading up to an important day.
If time management is a challenge, you may find our article How to Manage Time for Study and Work (Without Pulling All-Nighters) useful for making better use of your study schedule!
Your study space plays an important yet subtle role in your ability to focus.
There is no need for elaborate setups. What you need is to minimise distractions and maintain a clean environment.
To start, it helps to have enough space so that you're able to place all your study materials within your reach, as it reduces mental friction and helps you stay engaged with your revision.
Other than that, having a sufficient amount of light or a comfortable study chair can really make a difference in enhancing those longer study sessions.
While the strategies above can help in the short term, they are not a substitute for consistent studying.
If you find yourself studying last-minute or ineffectively more frequently than not, it may be a sign that a different approach is needed.
In that case, consider adjusting your daily routine:
Once you've built a strong foundation, you'll be better positioned for long-term success and won't need to rely on cramming as much.
So good luck! As long as you’re making that effort, you’re well on your way to facing your exams with a prepared mentality.
If your environment is part of the problem, it may be time to consider finding a living space that matches your studying needs in the long run.
After all, having a comfortable surrounding is invaluable when you're trying to bunker down and study for your upcoming exams.
At Y Suites, you'll have access to an accommodation with complete facilities that ease your exam preparation sessions, from private study spaces to high-speed Wi-Fi capabilities.
Our student apartment in Sydney is also situated conveniently near many campuses, so you won't ever need to waste precious time commuting.
What’s more? Our all-inclusive rent covers:
✅ Premium, fully furnished student rooms and shared apartments, inclusive of Wi-Fi and utilities
✅ Full access to various common areas for socialising, studying, exercising, playing, and resting
✅ The opportunity to connect with other like-minded students from different prestigious universities through our community events
✅ Excellent security measures that ensure your personal safety
✅ Hassle-free customer service managed by our attentive and well-trained staff
So what are you waiting for? Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to experience how student life should be.
Book a room with us and start enhancing your study journey with us today!
Y Suites respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, learn, and work. We pay tribute to their Elders past, present, and emerging, and celebrate the enduring cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We are grateful for their ongoing contributions and connections to the lands, waters, and communities.
