How to Ace Your Matric Final English Exams

Preparing for your Matric finals has probably been on your mind for some time. Your Matric final English exams might be weighing on you because there are so many unknowns. Which of the poems will be included? Will I be able to answer the comprehension questions well enough? Don’t fret! Today we’re walking you through everything you need to know in order to ace your Matric final English exams.

Set aside time to study

To ace your Matric final English exams, you will need to set aside plenty of time to study and revise. Start by creating a timetable, block out times to revise and cover certain sections, and set up a quiet study corner in your home to begin revising!

You can revise for your final English exams using the following suggestions:

1. Pay attention to the prescribed novel and poetry you’ve learnt. Familiarise yourself with the characters, the plots, and any important details your English teacher has highlighted to you.
2. Practice comprehension exercises every day in the week leading up to your Matric final English exam so you feel prepared.
3. Revise language exercises, such as Parts of Speech and Grammatical Categories, and go through your notes thoroughly.

Review past papers

As they say, practice makes perfect! Get your hands on past Matric papers and use these to gain an understanding of the types of questions you’ll be asked. Being able to take a practice test will help you to avoid surprises as you familiarise yourself with the typical Matric final English exam format. In addition, taking a revision test will help you to identify the areas that require more attention, so you can focus on those as you continue studying.

When writing past papers, you will notice common themes and question types that will come up regularly. This will help you to prepare efficiently. You will notice that in Paper 1, ‘Comprehension, Summary and Language’ are the major themes, while Paper 2 will cover ‘Novel, Drama and Poetry (both prescribed and unseen)’.

You can find past Matric papers here.

Understand the requirements

Familiarise yourself with all the requirements to successfully write your Matric final English exam:

1. Confirm the time and location and arrive early - Rushing in late will only make you feel flustered but arriving well before the start time will help you to begin your exam in the right frame of mind.
2. Bring the right documents - Usually, these are your admission letter and identification document, so have those handy because they may need to be verified before the exam.
3. Have the right stationery - Pens, pencils, erasers and rulers are permitted for your Matric final English exam. For other subjects, non-programmable calculators and other specialist subject equipment is allowed.

Rest well before the exam

The last thing you should be doing the night before your Matric final English exam is pulling an all-nighter and attempting to cram all your studying in. A good night’s rest will set you up much better than extra hours of revision and studying. Experts recommend 8 - 9 hours of sleep, which will help you to wake up feeling refreshed and alert, ready to tackle your exams!

Tips for the day of the exam

1. Take note of the ‘Instructions and Information’ page and read it in detail! - You will notice instructions like ‘Start each section on a new page’ or ‘Leave a line after each answer’. These details should not be skimmed or ignored.
2. Read all the questions carefully - Effective reading can lead to effective writing! More often than not, it’s the lack of a thorough read-through that can hamper your performance. So, slow down, take a deep breath and read through each question carefully.
3. Read the questions before you read the passage - The bulk of your Matric final English exam will include passages of text, followed by questions about the passage. Reading the questions first will save you time and will help you to identify the parts of the passage that require attention.
4. Keep track of the time - Your ‘Instructions and Information’ page will include a suggested time allocation for each section of the exam paper. Pay attention to this and keep your eyes on the time as you begin each section. This will help you stay on track.
5. Carefully read through your answers - Taking time to properly proofread your answers will save you from losing marks to careless mistakes and spelling and grammar errors. This is an English exam after all, so pay attention to the details.

Enlist the help of a Tutor

Revision sessions with an experienced Tutor will be the most efficient way to sharpen your performance before your Matric final English exams. Teach Me 2’s English Tutors know exactly what it takes to ace the Matric final English exams and they have experience with coaching students like you to succeed! They can put together a plan of action, provide resources and help you focus on the areas that need improvement. A highly qualified Tutor will help you get your confidence back and set you up for life, with everlasting exam-acing skills.

Click here to find your perfect English Tutors