As third-term exams approach, an education report highlights five common preparation mistakes Nigerian students make and how to avoid them ahead of the exam season.
FIVE EXAM PREP MISTAKES NIGERIAN STUDENTS SHOULD AVOID
As third-term exams draw near, Nigerian students are settling into a familiar routine of borrowed notes, last-minute reading plans and revived class group chats, The Nation reports. But according to the report, exam success often comes down to habits built early rather than last-minute effort. It identifies five recurring mistakes students make every term:
- Reading without writing: Passive reading creates a false sense of mastery. The report recommends testing oneself by writing key points, solving practice questions, or summarising concepts, noting that many students only discover gaps in their understanding once pen meets paper.
- Relying on “expo” instead of preparation: Rumours and leaked predictions rarely pay off. Students who consistently perform well are those who build familiarity with the syllabus and practise past questions weeks in advance.
- Waiting until the last minute to organise notes: Disorganised materials cause unnecessary stress before exams. Colour-coded notes and labelled notebooks make revision easier and faster.
- Studying for hours without a plan: Long, unstructured study sessions are often less effective than short, focused ones with clear goals. Writing out a study schedule or checklist helps students stay accountable.
- Ignoring rest until exam day: Skipping sleep and breaks in favour of nonstop reading can backfire, as a tired brain struggles to retain information and concentrate.
The report notes that behind most successful exam seasons is consistent preparation, including solving past questions, organising notes and following a study plan. It adds that students who tend to perform best are not necessarily those who study hardest the night before, but those who prepare with intention over time.
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