Make sure you attend as many of the formal classes as you are able. A solid foundation of classroom engagement is essential for effective revision and a good mark.
Take plenty of notes during class, even if there is a handout to accompany each lesson or section of the curriculum. Re-write your notes as quickly as possible after each class. For example, expand on any abbreviations, highlight any key points and fill in any obviously missing bits of information by referring to course notes or text books. These notes will become the foundation for your exam revision.
Prepare a revision timetable in the weeks running up to the exam. You may have up to four or five other exams to sit so make sure you allocate enough time to prepare properly for each one, including Higher Human Biology. Break up the topics covered into manageable chunks and set yourself study goals so that you know how your revision is progressing. This is where your class notes will be invaluable as they act as a perfect guide through the curriculum.
Read and re-read the notes you have taken in class and relate them to any class handouts, coursework or curriculum guides you may have. If you have one of the commercially available subject guide books, cross-check your notes with the various sections it contains.
Test yourself using past papers from the SQA's website once you feel you have a good grasp of the Higher Human Biology curriculum. Select a number of past papers from recent years and work through them as if you were sitting the exam. This will help you to see what range of questions are covered in the exam and highlight any gaps in your learning that you need to fill.
Try to keep calm and relaxed on exam day. Although a little nervousness is understandable, if you have studied well there should be no great cause for concern about the exam you're about to take. Try to sleep well the night before and make sure you eat breakfast. Arrive in plenty of time, take your seat and take a few minutes to compose yourself before the exam begins.
Read the exam paper thoroughly from beginning to end before you begin to answer anything. Check if there are different sections to the paper, and how many questions you need to answer as you won't receive any marks for answering questions you don't need to. Once you have selected the questions you are going to answer allocate a maximum time to spend on each one based on the marks available. Make sure you manage your time to leave about 20 minutes at the end to check through your work.
Start with the answers you find easiest as you don't need to answer the questions in any particular order. This will help to build your confidence, but if you hit a problem just leave a space on your answer sheet to return to once you've worked through the rest of the paper. Highlight key words in the questions and identify the main learning outcomes required to help you structure your answer.
Check through your answers thoroughly once you have completed the paper to identify any missing information or add interesting points that may gain you extra marks. In a two-hour exam, you should allow for up to 20 minutes checking time at the end.