The Ultimate Exam Preparation Guide: 12 Exam Preparation Tips for Oral and Written Exams

Written by: Helene Ausserwöger, 08.01.2025

Good exam preparation is absolutely essential for successfully getting through your studies. And it involves much more than frantically trying to cram in all the information right before the exam. In fact, good preparation helps you reduce stress, appear more confident, and retrieve what you’ve learned more effectively.

Most students know this feeling: not enough time, too much work, rising pressure, and that inner voice wondering if it’s ever enough. That’s why we’ve created a guide that walks you through the process – from planning your semester all the way to exam day – so you feel confident in both oral and written exams.

Table of Contents:

Exam Preparation at University: How to Build a Solid Foundation

Before you begin revising, it helps to organise the basics of your exam preparation first.

Organisation & Time Management

Unlike school, university places most responsibilities directly in your hands. Instead of fixed timetables, clear instructions and regular check-ins, self-organisation becomes key. It’s best to get used to these new conditions as early as possible. Ideally, inform yourself about the semester schedule, important deadlines and exam dates right at the start. This makes planning easier and helps you better navigate stressful exam periods.

A crucial part of good exam preparation is also a well-thought-out study plan. It should be realistic, consider your actual workload and include enough buffer time. It’s also important to recognise that simply showing up to lectures isn’t enough. Consistent preparation and follow-up work are essential.

  • Collect exam topics and dates
  • Set learning goals and prioritise
  • Distribute study hours and other commitments (free time, work, etc.) in your weekly plan
  • Include buffer time and revision sessions
  • Regularly review and adjust your plan

Study planning is a trial-and-error process—adjust your plan until it works for your routine and learning style. To stay organised and keep a good overview of things, digital tools like Notion or Trello can help, as well as classic bullet journaling.

Finding Your Own Rhythm

Everyone learns differently, and you’ll be most effective when you understand your personal learning style. That’s why we’ve put together an overview of different learning types and the methods that work best for all of them.

Types of learnersStudy methodsExamples
The auditory learner memorises content quickly when he hears them repeatedly.Reading aloud, rhythmic, presentations…Podcasts, recorded lectures, explanation videos, audio recordings…
The visual learner learns the quickest when reading the content and seeing the content.Loci method, SQR3, flashcards…Summaries, mind maps, sketches illustrations, videos…
The motoric learner memorises information by connecting them to movement.Location method, role-play, experiments…Modulation, memory cards, experiments, writing by hand, walking and studying…
The communicative learner studies best by taking part in discussions and debates, etc.Self-talks, tandem, quizzes…Discussions, study groups, Q&A, debates with peers, tutorials…

In addition to knowing your learning style, your personal biorhythm also plays a key role in studying effectively. While some students are most productive in the morning—often between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.—others only reach their peak in the late afternoon or evening.

The early bird catches the worm - at least for those it applies to! ©Adobe Stock
The early bird catches the worm - at least for those it applies to! ©Adobe Stock
For the night owls, the real action starts in the evening! ©Adobe Stock

What matters isn’t when others are studying, but when your brain is actually awake and alert. Studying at the right time for your natural rhythm helps you focus better and learn more effectively.

For the night owls, the real action starts in the evening! ©Adobe Stock

Material Check

Before you start studying, make sure your materials are complete. Missing lecture notes or gaps in your content often lead to unnecessary stress later on. When preparing for exams, “blissful ignorance” or hoping to get lucky is rarely a good strategy.

It also helps to exchange information with fellow students and compare your notes in forums (e.g. on STUDO) or university WhatsApp groups. That way, you can be sure you’re not missing any exam-relevant content.

Effective Study Methods: Techniques That Really Work

Spending long hours at your desk doesn’t automatically mean you’re learning effectively. What truly matters are the techniques you use.

Studying Instead of Passive Reading

Just reading or highlighting isn’t enough. Your brain needs to be active to remember information long term. With active recall, you deliberately retrieve information from memory, for example by asking yourself questions or studying with flashcards.

Spaced repetition builds on that by having you review material at regular intervals instead of trying to learn everything at once. This helps knowledge stick much more effectively over time. Writing summaries in your own words is another great way to solidify what you’ve learned and ensure real understanding.

You can find more tips on how to study effectively here!

The Right Environment

A suitable study environment has a big impact on how focused and efficient you can be. Quiet surroundings, plenty of light, fresh air, and an ergonomic workspace are the foundation for productive learning. If you live in one of our STUWO student residences, for example, you have access to dedicated learning lounges and communal areas. These are perfect for focused study sessions, whether alone or with friends. 

It’s also worth consciously minimising distractions: put your phone out of reach or use focus apps like Forest, where you grow a new tree for each completed study session without checking your phone. This helps structure your study time and stay more focused.

Social Learning & Simulation

Studying together can boost motivation and often helps you understand exam material from new perspectives. Study groups are especially useful for exchanging ideas, testing each other, and reviewing together. In STUWO student residences, the learning lounges and communal areas provide an ideal environment to connect with other students, build a community, and study together.

Social learning is particularly helpful for oral exams. By role-playing exam situations and answering questions out loud, you gain more confidence in speaking and can practice your arguments without the pressure of a real exam.

Staying Healthy During Exam Season: Don’t Forget Self-Care

Especially during stressful exam periods, it’s important to consciously take care of yourself and not neglect your physical and mental health.

Motivation & Breaks 

Studying for eight hours straight might sound dedicated, but it’s usually far from effective. Taking conscious breaks helps you stay focused and prevents feeling overwhelmed. A tried-and-true method is the Pomodoro Technique, where you study with full focus for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. 

It can also be motivating to set clear goals. You can, for example, use the SMART method (more info here!), and plan small rewards, like a short coffee break or an episode of your favorite show. You can find more tips on how to structure your study breaks here!

Physical Health

Your body also plays an important role in exam preparation. A balanced diet with brain foods like nuts, fruit, and plenty of water supports your concentration far better than excessive sugar or constant caffeine. Regular exercise is just as important. Take a short walk during study breaks or do a quick yoga session at home to release tension and clear your mind.

Mental Strength & Nervousness

Feeling nervous before exams is completely normal, especially when stress, high expectations, or uncertainty come into play. Simple breathing exercises or short meditations can help reduce anxiety. Your mindset also plays a key role – it can be helpful to consciously think through the “worst-case scenario.” 

What would really happen if you didn’t pass an exam? In most cases, the world doesn’t end, and you can retake it. Just acknowledging this often relieves a lot of pressure. You can find more tips on how to successfully overcome exam anxiety here!

Exam Day: Tips for Written and Oral Exams

On exam day, it’s not just your knowledge that counts, but also good preparation for the exam environment. Be on time, start your day calmly, and make sure you have everything you need to avoid unnecessary stress. Pay particular attention to packing all essentials, like your student ID, pens, and any permitted aids, so you can focus entirely on the exam itself.

Oral Exam Tips: Speak Confidently and Stay Calm

Even if you feel at the mercy of the questions, an oral exam is also a form of communication, not a one-sided test. You can influence much more than you might think. Keep the following points in mind:

  • First impressions matter. Politeness and appropriate clothing go without saying. If you also enter the room with a positive attitude and a friendly demeanor, it definitely works in your favour.
  • Think aloud if you’re unsure. Even if you don’t know the exact answer, you might get points for your reasoning process or be able to touch on another topic where you feel more confident.
  • Don’t understand a question? Politely ask for clarification. It’s perfectly fine to ask for the question to be repeated or slightly rephrased.
  • Acknowledge your nervousness. Examiners are usually understanding and can relate if you’re nervous. A brief sentence like, “I’m a bit nervous right now,” can relieve pressure and often even comes across as charming.

Written Exam Tips: Smart Strategies for Tests and Exams

  • Scanning: Take a moment at the beginning to scan the entire exam. This way, you know what tasks to expect and can manage your time more effectively. You can also jot down quick, keyword-style notes if anything comes to mind while reading the questions.
  • Time Management: You don’t have to complete the tasks in order. Start with the ones you know well to secure points and avoid getting stuck on difficult questions. If time allows, you can come back to the harder ones later.
  • Read the Questions Carefully: Take a moment to fully understand each question, as small words can often make a big difference in what is actually being asked.

After the Exam: Reflection and Reward

After the exam is before the exam. Before jumping straight to your next to-do, it’s worth taking a moment to pause and reflect: What went well? What really helped you while studying? And what would you do differently next time? This small reflection can save you a lot of stress in future exams.

If an exam didn’t go as planned, or even resulted in a fail, that doesn’t mean all is lost. Take some time to figure out what might have gone wrong, look into options for retaking it, and adjust your study strategy. Failing is part of university life and what matters is what you make of it.

And then: celebrate. Regardless of the outcome, you’ve invested time, energy, and effort. Treat yourself to a reward, meet up with friends, or simply do nothing for a while. That, too, is part of effective exam preparation.

Conclusion: With Good Exam Preparation, You Can Approach Every Exam Calmly

Good exam preparation doesn’t mean putting yourself under pressure for weeks or cramming everything at the last minute. It’s about finding your own rhythm, planning realistically, and using study methods that actually work. Those who organise themselves early, take care of their mental and physical health, and approach exam day with a clear strategy can significantly reduce stress.

Believe in yourself, ease the pressure, and don’t forget to take breaks and celebrate your achievements. With the right preparation, you can approach any exam with greater confidence and calm.

FAQs: The Most Important Questions About Exam Preparation

First, gather all exam dates and study material. Estimate your workload realistically and schedule fixed study times, including buffer periods and review sessions.

Breathing exercises, short meditations, and conscious preparation can significantly reduce nervousness.

This varies individually. Some people learn best in the morning, others in the evening. Follow your personal biorhythm to optimise learning.

It’s best to start early and study continuously, rather than cramming everything shortly before the exam.

Stay calm, take a deep breath, communicate openly, and think out loud.This often helps you regain your train of thought.

Focus on the essentials using the Pareto principle: 20% of the material often brings 80% of the results.

Both have advantages. Find out what works best for you, or combine both methods for maximum benefit.

Exam preparation means organising your time, materials, and study methods in a way that helps you learn efficiently, reduce stress, and perform your best on the exam.

The best preparation combines early planning, active learning techniques, regular revision, and attention to both mental and physical health.

The 2-3-5-7 method is a structured approach to break study sessions into intervals (e.g., 2, 3, 5, and 7 units of study time with short breaks) to maximise focus and retention.

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