Your O/L Exam Success Playbook
- Idasara
- Sep 10
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 14
Idasara Academy O/L Help Line
Why this matters now
You’ve put in weeks of study. Part 2 turns that effort into predictable exam performance. The O/L rewards students who manage time, pick the right questions, write clearly, and protect easy marks. This playbook shows you exactly what to do before the exam (Now) and inside the hall (Exam Day) so your work translates into results.
“Past papers never lie.”
General game plan (works for every subject)
Train with purpose: Use 10 years of past papers. Note which topics repeat and which keywords examiners award.
Practise under time: Short, timed sets build calm speed. Practise neat layout, units, and headings—examiner-friendly scripts earn marks faster.
Fix quickly: After each set, compare with your notes and marking scheme phrases; rewrite a model answer in your own words.
Protect sleep & focus: Sleep the night before; phone outside the room during sessions; one focused hour beats three distracted hours.
Pack the kit: 2 pens, pencil, ruler, eraser, sharpener, geometry set, watch; keep water and a light snack for the break.
“Neat answers = easy marks.”
Inside the exam hall (simple routine)
First two minutes: Breathe, read the whole paper, and mark your easiest Qs. Start there to build momentum.
Time by marks: Spend time in proportion to marks; a 5-mark Q does not deserve 20 minutes.
Skip & return: If you stall for 60–90 seconds, park it, put a light mark on the margin, and move on.
Make it scorable: Underline key terms, box final answers, label diagrams, show steps.
Final five minutes: Recheck names, units, question numbers, and any blank sub-parts.
Subject-Specific Strategies
Below are two parts for each subject: what to do Now (from today until exam week) and what to do on Exam Day. Follow them exactly. They are short, practical, and proven.
Mathematics
Maths rewards method and clarity. Speed grows from daily fundamentals and clean working. Treat Paper I as your anchor for easy, repeatable marks; carry that confidence into Paper II reasoning.
Maths — Focused habits (brief)
Practise Paper I daily (10 mixed Qs).
Keep an error log (signs, units, skipped steps).
Rehearse core methods weekly (factorisation, simultaneous equations, circle theorems, trig identities).
Convert word problems to equations quickly: underline numbers and operation words.
Timebox: short bursts with short breaks keep your head fresh.
Now (training) | Exam Day (execution) |
Daily 10-Q Paper I drill (mixed topics) | Show all working line by line for partial credit |
Build a frequent-errors list; review daily | Check signs/units before boxing the final answer |
Rehearse core methods out loud + on paper | Start with easiest Qs to build momentum |
Practise marks→minutes (e.g., 1 mark ≈ 1 min) | Skip & return after 60–90s of no progress |
Use one page for rough work; keep layout clean | Sanity-check answers (estimates, dimensions, reasonableness) |
Science
Science rewards precision (definitions), sequence (processes), and neat diagrams. Plan long answers before writing; one idea per paragraph keeps the marker moving in your favour.
Science — Focused habits (brief)
Redraw key diagrams from memory (heart, cell, photosynthesis, circuits).
Memorise definitions word-for-word; test weekly.
Practise short structured answers: definition → process → application.
Keep a glossary of exact terms; avoid vague language.
Do mini past-paper sprints on high-frequency topics.
Now (training) | Exam Day (execution) |
Redraw key diagrams neatly from memory | Label diagrams clearly; use a pencil and keep lines clean |
Learn definitions exactly as taught | Use precise terms (avoid casual language) |
Practise definition → process → application answers | Plan long answers (30 seconds) before writing |
Build a mini glossary of key terms | Underline keywords required by the question |
Timed short-answer sprints on frequent topics | Answer to marks (don’t over-write; 1 point ≈ 1 mark) |
English
English rewards structure, clarity, and clean grammar. Reading daily improves flow; planning essays prevents rambling. Proofreading is free marks—never skip it.
English — Focused habits (brief)
Read 15 minutes/day (news/stories); collect 3 new words.
Write one timed essay per week; review the next day and improve it.
Practise PEEL paragraphs (Point–Evidence–Explain–Link).
Keep a grammar checklist (tenses, S-V agreement, prepositions, articles, punctuation).
Practise quick summaries (two clean sentences per paragraph).
Now (training) | Exam Day (execution) |
Read daily; collect 3 words and write sentences | Plan your essay (3-minute outline) before writing |
Weekly timed essay + next-day improvement | Use PEEL in body paragraphs for clear argument |
Maintain a grammar checklist; review before writing | Manage time: writing vs proofreading (reserve 5 minutes) |
Practise summaries (2 clean sentences each) | Proofread spelling, grammar, punctuation before submitting |
Build a personal examples bank (intros, closings) | Stay on topic; remove sentences that don’t support your idea |
Practical reminders that protect marks
Train how you’ll play: Practise under time with the layout you’ll use in the hall.
Don’t waste strong Qs: Start with easiest questions to build momentum.
One concept, one paragraph: Especially in Science and English, this earns neat marks.
Breathe → reset → continue: A 10-second breathing reset stops panic from spreading.
End with a sweep: Question numbers, names, units, boxes, labels—catch small mistakes.
This week’s action checklist
Do two past-paper sections (timed) per subject; log repeating question types.
Add five exact definitions to your Science glossary; quiz yourself on Friday.
Complete five 10-Q Paper I drills (Maths); update the frequent-errors list daily.
Write one English essay with a 3-minute plan and a 5-minute proofread.
Pack your exam kit: 2 pens, pencil, eraser, ruler, sharpener, geometry set, watch.
“Calm is a skill. You can train it.”
The O/L exam rewards students who prepare like athletes: short, honest training every day, clear plays in the hall, and simple checks that protect easy marks. Use this playbook with the Part 1 preparation system, measure small wins weekly, and carry that confidence into the paper. Start with one timed set today and one improvement tomorrow—the rest will follow.
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