Preparing for exams B1
Revising the material and getting your head around the tricky bits before the test.
Revising the material
brush up on — improve knowledge or skillA: Are you ready for the interview?
B: Not yet. I have to brush up on some technical questions first.
go over — review carefullyA: Did you finish your assignment?
B: Not yet, I want to go over it one more time to check for mistakes.
remember details — recall factsA: How did your interview go?
B: Pretty well, I managed to remember all the details about the company.
cram for — study last-minuteI'm doing some last-minute revision for the test. (neutral)
I'm cramming for the test tomorrow. (casual)
Working through hard bits
break down — explain in partsA: I don't get this math problem.
B: I'll break it down for you step by step.
work out — solve or understandA: Do you know how this machine works?
B: Not yet, but I'll work it out.
figure out — understand after thinkingA: Why is the printer not working?
B: I don't know yet, but I'll try to figure it out.
A revision session
Jo: I've barely started — I really need to brush up on chapter four before Friday.
Ravi: Same here. Want to go over the past papers together this evening?
Jo: Yes, please. If we do a few together it'll be easier to remember details on the day.
Ravi: Perfect. I'll bring my notes and we'll make a start at six.
Stuck on a question
Jo: I keep getting question seven wrong and I can't see why.
Ravi: Let me break it down — do the first half on its own, then add the rest.
Jo: Oh, that helps. Give me a sec and I'll work out the second part.
Ravi: There you go — see, it wasn't as bad as it looked.
The night before
Jo: I've left it far too late — I'm going to be up all night trying to cram for the biology test.
Ravi: Cramming never works for me. I just end up panicking and forgetting everything.
Jo: True, but I haven't got a choice now. I'll focus on the topics most likely to come up.
Ravi: Fair enough. Get some sleep too, though — a tired brain won't remember a thing.