Using the FT to improve your exam performance...

It suddenly struck me this afternoon that many readers of my book might be spending this glorious weekend getting ready for summer exams at University or college. If you are remember it will all be over in a few weeks and then you can take a well deserved holiday.

How can you use the book and the FT to improve your exam marks?

Here are my top three tips for you...

1) In my experience examiners really like to see that their students can apply their knowledge to real life examples. So when you decide what topics you are going to revise make sure you select a few relevant recent FT stories that are closely linked to these subject areas. For example, if you are hoping to write about "Capital Structure" the stories about the Royal Bank of Scotland and HBOS will be perfect examples of companies using rights issue to raise extra equity funding. Maybe think about the advantages and disadvantages of this strategy?

2) The examiners will also expect you to be able to show that you have a good understanding of the current stories making the financial news. So make sure you read the FT on the days leading up the exam and select some examples that you can use in your exam answers.

3) Finally, make good use of the special features in the book. Download some of the podcasts and listen to them a few times. You might also try some of the questions in the "What do you think?" section.

I hope this helps you get through the exams....

Very good luck!

Kevin