Preparing for Open Book Exams

Open book exams test your knowledge and understanding of information you have learnt and your ability to apply that information. They require as much preparation as other types of exam. In many open book exams, you scarcely get time to look at the material you bring in! You are too busy writing, concentrating on the question asked, and occasionally diving into your organised, well-read, familiar textbooks and notes to check a point of reference or to find an example.

Planning
Make sure that you have all the information that you need about the exam, including: day and time, length, topics covered, types of answers required (essay, memo, short answer, multi-choice), etc. Establish exactly what texts you are allowed to take into the exam. Set up a revision timetable and organise your materials into relevant topics or themes.

Learning
Revision should be focused on preparing concise revision notes on the ideas and concepts being tested. Prepare pointers to locate references in the texts you plan to have with you. Apply key concepts and topics to your own examples or scenarios. Compile topic summaries from your revision notes. Use diagrams or your own 'shorthand' to record the notes.

Become very familiar with the materials to be taken to the exam. Create an index organised around the themes of the course. Flag relevant pages with colour coded 'post-it' notes. Place more emphasis on speedy location of information than on memorisation of information.

Practising
Practise on old exam papers under exam conditions. Practise the planning of answers and finding the necessary information quickly and accurately. After you have finished your mock exam, return to your summaries and notes and check that your answer includes all the requested information, answers the question, and is legibly written.

References
Stevenson, M. (1999). Success in Exams. University of South Australia.