A cheat sheet is a page of handwritten notes on important exam concepts. Some teachers allow students to use cheat sheets during exams. In such cases, they usually set restrictions on how long the cheat sheet may be and the content it may include.
With some subjects, students are required to read certain texts before writing the exam. This is the case for certain ministry exams, such as those for Secondary V French and English.
Before creating your cheat sheets for these subjects, make sure to do a first reading of each text that will be on the exam.
Next, try to imagine some of the questions you might be asked. This strategy will help you think about what to pay closer attention to during your second reading. Consider looking over previous exams or brainstorming with your friends to come up with likely questions. You can then reread the preparatory document and look for clues to answer your mock question(s). This will allow you to come up with potential arguments that you can include in your cheat sheet.
If you know you will have to argue an opinion, you can write a few pros and cons on your sheet. Try highlighting them in a different colour so they’re easy to spot at a glance.
It may be worthwhile to do extra research on the assigned topic so you can come up with additional ideas. Just make sure any information you find on the internet comes from credible sources.
Throughout the year, you are taught specific concepts per subject in class. Knowing this information is fundamental for doing well on your exams. However, as everyone knows, stress can sometimes cause mind blanks. Fortunately, you’ll have your cheat sheet on hand! To make it count, it’s essential to review your class notes carefully and pick out the information you feel is important or that you have the most difficulty remembering. Here are some examples of what you might include on your cheat sheet.
- Definitions
- Synonyms
- Quotes
- Grammar rules
- Proper nouns (to make sure you don’t make mistakes)
- Dates and events
- A list of spatial markers and discourse markers
- Etc.
For each annotated text or quotation, it’s important to mention the source in order to respect the author’s intellectual property. The Alloprof content sheet on references can help you avoid mistakes.
Once you’ve gathered all your information, you can now put together your cheat sheet!
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Start working on your sheet several days in advance.
- Create your cheat sheet in stages (e.g., one hour at a time).
- Make a first draft before writing out the final copy.
- Make sure the information is easy to find. Divide it into themes, arrange it in chronological order, or organize it in a way that is logical to you.
- Remember that you should be using keywords only, not full sentences.
Every student learns and organizes themself differently. What may work for one person may not be a suitable method for another. That’s why it’s important to experiment with different methods to find the best one for you. The key to success is being organized!
Here are some strategies to consider:
- Organize your information in a table
- Create a mind map
- Use a different colour for each theme
- Indent and stagger certain sections of your text (e.g., using headings and subheadings)
- Use abbreviations or include a legend
- Outline important information in boxes
- Flag important information with symbols