Revising for a practical exam can feel a lot harder compared to preparing for a traditional written exam.
Instead of memorising facts and information, you’re expected to demonstrate your practical skills, applying what you’ve learned in a real-world setting.
Whether that’s experimenting in a lab, presenting a design project, or carrying out a medical procedure, practical exams test your ability to think on your feet and stay calm under pressure.
So, how do you ensure you’re ready for the challenge? Let’s explore the best ways to revise for practical exams.
A practical skills exam does not test your knowledge of a subject but rather your ability to perform a task necessary for a subject. Source: AFP
Practical exams vs theory exams
Theory exams are designed to test your ability to recall information you have learnt.
These exams often consist of written questions, such as essays or multiple-choice tests, where you recall and explain facts, concepts, and theories.
For example, if you’re studying biology, a theory exam might ask you to explain the process of photosynthesis or describe the stages of cell division.
However, practical exams aim to assess how well you can perform tasks.
These exams evaluate your hands-on skills and how well you can apply the knowledge you’ve gained in real-world scenarios.
For engineering students, a practical exam might require you to design and test a prototype. Meanwhile, medical students may be required to show their abilities to assess and respond to patients’ needs through simulated patient care scenarios.
Why are practical exams important?
Practical exams are designed to mirror real-world tasks you might face in your future career, helping to assess how well you can perform in actual job settings.
These exams teach you to stay calm under pressure, work efficiently, and use your knowledge in a practical setting, all of which are critical in a professional environment.
A Harvard Business School study found that 37% of employers consider experience more important than academic qualifications when evaluating job applicants. Employees are not just looking for candidates who know the theory; they want people who can put their knowledge to work.
In a way, practical exams also build confidence, as by practising these tasks during your exam, you will feel more equipped and confident in your skills when it’s time to start your career.
10 best ways of how to revise for practical exams
Starting your revision early will allow you to avoid stress and ensure you are prepared for your exam. Source: AFP
1. Start early
When you start your revisions early, you give yourself more time to break down challenging topics and build a solid understanding.
Picture your preparation as planting seeds; the earlier you plant, the more time you have to water, nurture, and watch them grow into strong, rooted knowledge. This gradual process helps you retain more information and feel more confident.
You’ll be able to focus on one subject at a time, reducing your stress. For example, if you’re studying for multiple exams that fall around the same period, starting early gives you enough flexibility to spend more time on the subjects you find toughest.
2. Understand the exam format
One of the best ways to revise for practical exams is to get a clear understanding of the exam format. This means knowing exactly what you’ll be expected to do during the exam, including the types of tasks, the skills you’ll need to demonstrate, and the structure of each section.
Some practical exams involve hands-on lab work where you’ll need to follow a process, while others might require you to solve problems on the spot and demonstrate techniques. By familiarising yourself with these requirements, you can focus on what you need to succeed.
For example, as a chemistry student, you may need to complete the titration experiment for your lab exam, or if you are an architecture student, you may be required to sketch a building.
Knowing what is expected of you will allow you to practise your skills, reduce surprises, and help you feel more confident and prepared.
3. Create a study space
Creating a study space is one of the best steps to take as you prepare for your practical exam. When you set up a study space that you are comfortable in and free from distractions, you’re setting yourself up for productive study sessions.
Start by cleaning your desk and clearing away anything you don’t need. Think of it as clearing out mental clutter along with physical clutter. This space should be organised so you can spread out your textbooks, notes, and any other materials you need without feeling cramped.
Having proper lighting is essential too. If you’re working in a dim area, it can make reading and concentrating harder. This can lead to you feeling tired faster. Make sure your study spot is well-lit, either with natural light from a nearby window or a desk lamp.
4. Review past practical exams
Going through past exams will help you understand the tasks and questions to focus on. By seeing what’s been asked in previous years, you can get a better idea of the areas you need to focus on.
This will allow you to plan your revision, zeroing in on the skills and knowledge most likely to be tested.
For example, imagine you’re taking a biology course, and past practical exams consistently focus on dissecting specimens and identifying different organs. Practising dissection techniques and familiarising yourself with the anatomy is important as it ensures you can identify and describe the correct features during your exam.
Setting up a mock test will give you a good idea of what to expect and allow you to practise your time management. Source: AFP
5. Set up a mock exam
Setting up a mock exam or simulation is one of the best ways to revise for a practical exam because it allows you to experience the exam environment and conditions before taking it.
This means creating a practice session that mirrors the exam as closely as possible — using the tools, materials, equipment, and even following the same procedures you’ll need to perform on your exam day. This will allow you to get used to the timing, process, and pressure of a practical exam, which will help you feel more prepared and confident.
If you’re preparing for an engineering practical where you’ll need to assemble a structure, go through each step in the exact order you’ll be required to, keeping a timer running and working with the same tools you’ll be given. This will help you build muscle memory and improve your time management skills, so you’ll know exactly how long each part of the task should take.
By doing a mock exam, you will also be able to identify the areas where you may need to improve.
6. Create a step-by-step checklist
Creating a step-by-step checklist is one of the best ways to prepare for practical exams because it keeps you organised and ensures you won’t miss any steps during the exam.
By breaking down your work into clear, manageable steps, you can see the entire process more easily. This checklist becomes a guide you can follow, helping you work through each task. It will allow you to focus on each step instead of worrying about what might come next.
For example, if you’re preparing for a cooking practical exam, your checklist might start with steps like:
- Gather ingredients and equipment
- Pre-heat the oven
- Measure and mix dry ingredients
By writing down and reviewing these steps, you can make the process faster, so when it’s time to cook, you can move smoothly from one task to the next. The checklist can help you remember important details as well, like checking cooking times, adjusting temperatures, or garnishing the dish before serving, ensuring you don’t miss any steps during the exam.
Practise using the equipment before your practical exam to avoid wasting time on the day. Source: AFP
7. Familiarise yourself with the equipment
Familiarising yourself with the equipment is essential when revising for practical exams. This means not only knowing what each tool or piece of equipment does but understanding how to operate it safely and effectively too.
By getting comfortable with the equipment, you can avoid wasting time on setting up and focus on completing the tasks. For example, if your practical exam involves a microscope, ensure you know how to adjust the lenses, change the focus, and position your sample correctly. Practising with the microscope beforehand will make these steps easier, making it less likely to make mistakes.
Imagine taking an art exam where you need to use different painting tools and techniques. If you’ve spent time practising with the brushes, mixing paints, and adjusting your canvas, you can dive straight into painting without wasting time figuring out the tools.
Studying with groups is one of the best ways on how to revise for practical exams as it allows you to gain insight and work through what you know. Source: AFP
8. Practise with study groups
Practising with a study group allows you to work through your knowledge and skills with others, share tips, and learn different techniques.
When you study with others, you gain insights from classmates who might approach tasks in ways you hadn’t considered. Group practice allows you to explore different ways of solving problems and tackling each part of the experiment, which can help you gain confidence.
Explaining steps to your study group can further deepen your own understanding. Teaching a process to someone else forces you to clarify each part and recognise any areas you need to improve.
For example, if you’re explaining an experiment in biology, you’ll need to walk your classmates through the steps and purpose of each action. This reinforces your memory and helps you embody the process so that you’re better prepared to handle the exam.
9. Get feedback
Getting feedback is one of the best ways to improve your preparation for a practical exam. This means seeking advice from teachers, professionals, or peers.
By receiving feedback, you can work on these areas so you’re fully prepared by the time you have to take the exam.
For example, if you’re practising for your culinary exam and your knife skills aren’t as precise as they could be, a chef might offer tips on how to hold the knife correctly and slice better. This feedback will allow you to improve your skills, making you more prepared for the exam.
Staying calm before a practical exam is important to ensure you don’t make any mistakes under pressure. Source: AFP
10. Stay calm and focused
Last but not least, staying calm is one of the most important things to remember when looking for ways on how to revise for practical exams. This will allow you to think clearly and work through each step without making mistakes.
Practical exams can be overwhelming, with time limits and precise steps to follow, so it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, by staying calm, you’ll be better equipped to handle the pressure.
For example, if you’re working on a chemistry practical and spill something, panicking can make the situation worse. Staying calm lets you quickly fix the problem without losing focus or confidence.
This approach also helps you stay focused on the task rather than worrying about the clock or other factors. When you focus, you can fully concentrate on the practical tasks you need to perform and are less likely to skip steps or overlook details.
