Best Tips to Score High in NOUN Exams

Best Tips to Score High in NOUN Exams

Scoring high in National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) examinations is not only about reading for long hours. It is about studying the right materials, understanding what you are reading, preparing consistently, completing your Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs), practising questions, and developing a smart examination strategy.

Because NOUN operates an open and distance learning system, students are expected to take greater responsibility for their academic preparation. Unlike students in conventional universities who may attend physical lectures every day, NOUN students often have to organise their own study schedules around work, family responsibilities and other commitments.

This can make examination preparation challenging, especially for students who wait until a few days before the examination before beginning serious revision.

The good news is that you can significantly improve your NOUN examination performance by adopting the right study habits.

Whether you are a new NOUN student or a returning student preparing for another semester examination, the following tips can help you prepare more effectively and increase your chances of scoring high.

1. Start Preparing Early

One of the biggest mistakes NOUN students make is waiting until examination week before they begin studying.

Trying to read several course materials within a few days can become overwhelming. You may end up memorising information without actually understanding the topics.

Instead, begin preparing immediately after registering your courses.

Create a study schedule that spreads your workload across the semester.

For example, if you register for six courses, you could dedicate specific days to each course. You do not necessarily need to study for several hours every day. Consistency is more important than studying for extremely long periods once in a while.

A student who studies for one or two focused hours regularly can be better prepared than a student who studies for ten hours only during the final week.

2. Know Your Registered Courses

Before you start studying, make a list of all the courses you registered for the semester.

Write down:

• Course codes
• Course titles
• Number of units
• TMA requirements
• Examination format
• Examination dates
• Areas you find difficult

This gives you a clear picture of what you need to cover.

You should also confirm that all your registered courses are correctly reflected on your student portal.

EducationalHub’s guide for NOUN students explains important information about course registration, examinations, TMAs and other academic activities. This can be useful, especially for new students.

3. Study the NOUN Course Materials First

One of the most important tips for NOUN students is to take the official course materials seriously.

Do not rely entirely on random materials found online.

Your NOUN course material should be one of the first resources you consult when preparing for an examination.

Read the course material carefully and identify:

• Definitions
• Concepts
• Principles
• Examples
• Important names
• Dates
• Formulas
• Classifications
• Advantages and disadvantages
• Processes
• Differences between concepts
• Summary sections

Do not simply read the material from beginning to end and assume that you will remember everything.

Make short notes as you study.

4. Understand the Course, Don’t Just Memorise It

Memorisation can help in some situations, but understanding is much more powerful.

Instead of simply memorising a definition, ask yourself:

What does this concept mean?

Why is it important?

How does it work?

What is an example?

How is it different from another concept?

This approach is especially useful for courses that contain theories, scientific concepts, calculations, processes or explanations.

When you understand a topic, you are more likely to recognise the correct answer even when an examination question is worded differently from your course material.

5. Take Your TMAs Seriously

Your Tutor-Marked Assignments should not be treated as something you complete casually.

NOUN’s academic information explains that TMAs form an important part of the continuous assessment process and contribute to the final course score. EducationalHub also has a detailed guide explaining the importance of NOUN TMA and how the assessment works.

This means that doing well in your TMA can give you an advantage before you even enter the examination hall.

Do not wait until the last minute to complete your TMAs.

Instead:

1. Read the relevant course material.
2. Understand the topic.
3. Attempt the TMA yourself.
4. Review your answers carefully.
5. Submit before the deadline.
6. Keep track of your scores.

A good TMA performance can help strengthen your overall result.

6. Use Past Questions as a Revision Tool

Past questions can be extremely useful when preparing for NOUN examinations.

However, you should use them correctly.

Do not simply memorise the answers.

Instead, use past questions to identify:

• Frequently tested topics
• Important concepts
• Question patterns
• Areas where you are weak
• Concepts you need to revise
• How questions are usually presented

After answering a question, go back to your course material and confirm why the answer is correct.

This is particularly important because you should not assume that every answer circulating online is correct.

If two different sources provide different answers, verify the answer against your course material.

EducationalHub also provides NOUN examination resources and information for students preparing for their examinations.

7. Practise Questions Under Time Pressure

Knowing the answer is not always enough.

You must also be able to answer questions within the available examination time.

Set aside time during your revision to practise questions under examination conditions.

For example, if you have 50 questions to answer within a particular period, practise answering a similar number of questions while timing yourself.

This helps you develop:

• Speed
• Accuracy
• Concentration
• Time management
• Confidence

EducationalHub’s NOUN examination technique guide also recommends looking through the examination first, managing your time and avoiding spending too much time on a difficult question.

8. Focus More on Your Weak Courses

It is normal to have courses you find easier and others you find difficult.

However, many students make the mistake of spending most of their study time on courses they already understand.

Instead, identify your weak areas early.

For example, if you are studying six courses and you are confident in four but struggling with two, give additional study time to the difficult courses.

This does not mean abandoning your strong courses.

Maintain them while giving extra attention to your weaker subjects.

9. Break Large Topics Into Smaller Sections

A large course material can look intimidating when you look at the entire document at once.

Instead of saying:

“I have 12 units to read.”

Break it down.

For example:

Monday: Unit 1

Tuesday: Unit 2

Wednesday: Unit 3

Thursday: Revision of Units 1–3

Friday: Unit 4

This makes your workload feel more manageable.

Small, consistent progress can eventually cover the entire course.

10. Make Short Revision Notes

Writing short notes is one of the best ways to improve retention.

Your revision notes should not be another copy of the entire course material.

Instead, record the most important information.

For example:

Topic: Photosynthesis

• Definition
• Raw materials
• Products
• Location
• Importance
• Chemical equation
• Factors affecting the process

This makes revision much faster as the examination approaches.

11. Use Flashcards for Difficult Facts

Flashcards can be useful for remembering:

• Definitions
• Formulas
• Dates
• Names
• Classifications
• Abbreviations
• Important terms

Write the question on one side and the answer on the other.

Then test yourself repeatedly.

For example:

Front: What is the definition of electrolysis?

Back: Your concise definition.

This method encourages active recall rather than passive reading.

12. Don’t Depend Entirely on Exam Runs

One common mistake among students is relying completely on examination runs or repeated questions.

Past questions are useful, but they should complement your studying rather than replace it.

A question that appeared previously may be changed, reworded or replaced.

Therefore, study the underlying concept.

If you understand the topic, you can answer different versions of the same question.

13. Pay Attention to Course Objectives

When studying your course material, pay attention to the learning objectives.

Course objectives can help you understand what you are expected to know after completing a particular unit.

If a unit says that you should be able to:

• Define a concept
• Explain a process
• Identify different types
• Compare two theories
• Calculate a value

make sure you can actually perform each of those tasks.

Do not just read the unit and move on.

Test yourself.

14. Study With Other Serious Students

A small study group can be useful if everyone involved is serious.

You can discuss difficult topics, explain concepts to one another and test each other’s knowledge.

However, avoid study groups that turn into social gatherings.

A good study group should have a clear purpose.

For example:

7:00–7:30: Discuss Unit 4

7:30–8:00: Answer 20 questions

8:00–8:15: Discuss difficult answers

This approach is much more productive than spending several hours chatting.

15. Teach Someone What You Have Learned

One of the best ways to discover whether you actually understand a topic is to explain it to someone else.

Choose a topic and explain it without looking at your notes.

If you struggle to explain it, that is a sign that you need to study it again.

You can even pretend that you are teaching a class.

Explain:

• The definition
• The main concept
• Examples
• Important points
• Possible examination questions

Teaching forces your brain to organise information clearly.

16. Use Active Recall

Active recall means trying to remember information without looking at the material.

Instead of reading the same page five times, read it once or twice and then close the material.

Ask yourself:

What did I just learn?

What are the major points?

Can I explain this concept?

What examples were given?

Write down everything you remember.

Then compare your answer with the course material.

This can be more effective than repeatedly rereading the same pages.

17. Revise Regularly

Do not wait until examination week to revise.

Revision should happen throughout the semester.

A useful pattern is:

First study → Review → Practise → Test yourself → Review again

Repeated exposure makes it easier to remember information.

You can also schedule weekly revision sessions where you review everything you studied during the previous week.

18. Create an Examination Countdown

When your examination date is approaching, create a countdown.

For example:

14 days to exam: Complete remaining topics.

10 days to exam: Start intensive revision.

7 days to exam: Practise past questions.

5 days to exam: Focus on difficult topics.

3 days to exam: Review short notes.

1 day to exam: Light revision and rest.

This prevents last-minute panic.

NOUN’s academic calendar is also useful for keeping track of important academic activities and examination periods. EducationalHub publishes NOUN academic calendar information that students can monitor throughout the semester.

19. Don’t Ignore Difficult Topics

When students encounter a difficult topic, the natural reaction is sometimes to skip it.

This can be risky.

If the topic is part of the course material, it may be examined.

Instead of avoiding difficult topics, break them down.

Read the section slowly.

Search for an explanation if necessary.

Discuss it with another student.

Work through examples.

Then return to the course material.

The goal is not to become perfect immediately. The goal is to gradually improve your understanding.

20. Pay Attention to Definitions

Many examination questions test definitions directly or indirectly.

Make sure you understand important definitions in your course.

However, do not memorise words without understanding their meaning.

A strong strategy is to memorise the key terminology while also understanding the explanation behind it.

21. Pay Attention to Differences Between Similar Concepts

Examiners can easily create questions by comparing related concepts.

For example:

• Primary vs secondary treatment
• Anode vs cathode
• Oxidation vs reduction
• Qualitative vs quantitative analysis
• Addition vs condensation polymerisation
• Migration vs diffusion
• Fixed cost vs variable cost

When studying, create comparison tables for similar concepts.

This can make revision much easier.

22. Review Your TMA Questions Before the Exam

Your TMA preparation can also help your examination preparation.

Review the questions you encountered during your TMAs.

Ask yourself why each answer was correct.

However, don’t assume that a TMA question will necessarily appear exactly the same way in the examination.

Use it as a learning opportunity.

23. Keep Your Study Environment Distraction-Free

Your environment can affect your concentration.

When studying:

• Put your phone away where possible.
• Turn off unnecessary notifications.
• Avoid social media during study sessions.
• Choose a quiet location.
• Keep your materials organised.
• Study with a clear objective.

Even a 60-minute distraction-free study session can be highly productive.

24. Use the Pomodoro Study Method

If you struggle to concentrate for long periods, try the Pomodoro technique.

For example:

25 minutes: Study

5 minutes: Break

Repeat the process four times.

Then take a longer break.

You can adjust the timing according to your concentration level.

The important thing is to study with full attention during your study period.

25. Get Enough Sleep Before the Examination

Do not sacrifice all your sleep in an attempt to read everything the night before an examination.

Sleep is important for concentration and memory.

Instead of staying awake throughout the night, finish your major revision earlier and get adequate rest.

Going into an examination exhausted can make it harder to concentrate and recall information.

26. Eat Properly and Stay Hydrated

Your physical condition can affect your examination performance.

Eat properly during your preparation period and stay hydrated.

Avoid relying excessively on stimulants or skipping meals because you want to study.

Your goal is to arrive at the examination mentally alert and physically comfortable.

27. Prepare Everything Before Examination Day

Do not wait until the morning of your examination to start looking for everything you need.

Confirm:

• Examination date
• Examination time
• Examination venue or centre
• Required identification
• Examination instructions
• Transportation arrangements
• Internet or device requirements where applicable

Preparing early reduces unnecessary stress.

28. Arrive Early

If you are writing a physical examination, plan to arrive early at the examination centre.

Traffic, transportation problems or unexpected delays can affect your arrival time.

Arriving early gives you time to settle down and prepare mentally.

For online examinations, make sure your device, browser, internet connection and other required arrangements are ready before the examination begins.

29. Read the Examination Instructions Carefully

When the examination starts, do not rush immediately into answering questions.

Read the instructions carefully.

Understand:

• The number of questions
• How many questions you need to answer
• The available time
• Whether there are special instructions
• How answers should be submitted

A simple misunderstanding of instructions can cost marks.

30. Start With Questions You Know

If you are taking a multiple-choice examination and you encounter an easy question, answer it confidently.

You do not necessarily have to answer the questions in the order they appear.

If a question is difficult, move on and return to it later where the examination format permits.

EducationalHub’s examination-technique guide similarly recommends avoiding getting stuck on one difficult question and returning to it later.

31. Eliminate Wrong Options

For multiple-choice questions, elimination can be extremely useful.

If you are uncertain about the answer, examine all the options carefully.

Try to eliminate options that are clearly incorrect.

Then compare the remaining possibilities with what you remember from your course material.

Do not select an answer simply because it “looks correct.”

Use evidence from your studies.

32. Read Every Question Carefully

Small words can change the meaning of an examination question.

Pay attention to words such as:

• NOT
• EXCEPT
• MOST
• LEAST
• BEST
• FIRST
• MAIN
• CORRECT
• INCORRECT

For example:

Which of the following is NOT a function of…?

The question is asking you to identify the option that does not belong.

Reading too quickly can cause you to choose the opposite answer.

33. Manage Your Time During the Exam

Time management is essential.

Do not spend an excessive amount of time on one difficult question while leaving other questions unanswered.

A good strategy is to keep moving and return to difficult questions when possible.

Also keep track of the time remaining.

If you have 20 minutes left and many questions remain, you need to adjust your pace.

34. Review Your Answers

If you finish before the examination time ends, do not immediately submit if the examination format allows you to review your work.

Go through your answers again.

Look for:

• Misread questions
• Accidental selections
• Calculation errors
• Questions you skipped
• Answers you may have changed incorrectly

However, do not change an answer simply because you become nervous.

Only change it when you have a clear reason.

35. Don’t Panic When You See Difficult Questions

Sometimes an examination may contain questions that appear difficult.

Do not allow one difficult question to destroy your confidence.

Take a breath.

Move to the next question.

You may discover that the following questions are easier.

If you have prepared properly, trust your preparation.

36. Don’t Compare Yourself With Other Students During the Exam

Avoid worrying about how quickly other students are answering.

Someone submitting early does not automatically mean that the person performed better.

Focus on your own examination.

Your objective is to answer as many questions correctly as possible.

37. Verify Answers From Reliable Sources

NOUN students frequently discuss examination questions after tests.

This can be useful for learning, but be careful.

Different students may remember questions differently, and answers circulated on social media or messaging platforms may contain errors.

When there is disagreement, verify the answer using your official course material.

This is particularly important for technical subjects such as chemistry, biology, mathematics, accounting, economics and statistics.

38. Don’t Wait Until the Last Semester

If you want to graduate with a strong CGPA, your preparation should begin from your first semester.

Every course contributes to your academic record.

Develop good habits early rather than waiting until your final year before taking your results seriously.

39. Track Your Academic Performance

After each semester, check your result and identify areas for improvement.

Ask yourself:

• Which courses did I perform well in?
• Which courses did I struggle with?
• Did I complete all my TMAs?
• Did I start studying early enough?
• Did I use past questions effectively?
• Did I manage my examination time properly?

Your previous semester can teach you how to perform better in the next one.

40. Be Consistent

The most important tip is consistency.

You do not need to study 12 hours every day to score high.

You need to study intelligently and consistently.

A student who studies regularly, completes TMAs, understands course materials, practises questions and reviews weak areas has a much stronger preparation strategy than a student who only starts studying shortly before the examination.

A Simple NOUN Study Plan

Here is a simple study plan that NOUN students can adapt:

Monday

Study Course 1 and review previous topics.

Tuesday

Study Course 2 and practise questions.

Wednesday

Study Course 3 and review difficult areas.

Thursday

Study Course 4 and complete revision questions.

Friday

Study Course 5 and review notes.

Saturday

Study Course 6 and practise past questions.

Sunday

Revise all courses studied during the week.

You can adjust this schedule depending on your number of courses, work commitments and examination dates.

What to Do One Week Before Your NOUN Exam

One week before the examination, your focus should gradually shift from learning completely new material to revision and practice.

Make sure you have:

• Completed the major topics.
• Reviewed your notes.
• Attempted past questions.
• Revised difficult areas.
• Checked important definitions.
• Reviewed formulas where applicable.
• Reviewed your TMA questions.
• Confirmed your examination schedule.

Avoid trying to learn the entire course from scratch during the final few days.

What to Do the Night Before Your NOUN Exam

The night before your examination should not be a night of panic.

Review your short notes.

Go through important concepts.

Check formulas and definitions.

Prepare everything you need for the following day.

Then get adequate rest.

Your objective is to arrive at the examination with a clear and focused mind.

Final Checklist for NOUN Exam Success

Before entering the examination, ask yourself:

• Have I studied the official course material?
• Have I completed my TMAs?
• Have I reviewed my TMA questions?
• Have I practised past questions?
• Do I understand the major topics?
• Have I identified my weak areas?
• Have I revised my short notes?
• Do I know my examination date and time?
• Have I prepared everything I need?
• Am I physically and mentally ready?

If you can answer “yes” to most of these questions, you are in a much stronger position.

Final Thoughts

Scoring high in NOUN examinations is achievable when you combine consistent study with effective examination techniques.

Do not depend on luck, last-minute reading or memorising random answers.

Start early.

Study your course materials.

Take your TMAs seriously.

Practise past questions.

Understand difficult concepts.

Revise regularly.

Manage your time during the examination.

Most importantly, always verify information against reliable academic materials instead of blindly trusting answers shared online.

Remember that every semester gives you another opportunity to improve your academic performance. If your previous result was not what you expected, identify what went wrong and change your strategy.

With discipline, consistency and the right preparation method, you can significantly improve your NOUN examination performance and work towards a stronger CGPA.

For more NOUN admission updates, examination information, TMA guides, academic calendars, course materials and student resources, continue visiting EducationalHub.com.ng.

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