As a WAEC, JAMB, or NECO candidate/student chances are you've wondered if you should spend more time studying lesson notes or practicing past questions. This is a valid question Nigerian students ask, and the answer can make a huge difference in your exam results.
Why This Question Matters
These exams are not just school assessments, they're gatekeepers to your next level of education. Your scores in WAEC, JAMB, and NECO can determine whether you gain admission into a good university or polytechnic in Nigeria. So, choosing the right study strategy is crucial.
What Are Lesson Notes?
Lesson notes are structured summaries or explanations of topics covered in school. Most lesson notes follow the Nigerian curriculum and are written in a way that helps students understand each topic.
Benefits of Lesson Notes
- They help you build a strong foundation in each subject.
- They make it easier to understand difficult topics with examples.
- They follow your school's teaching sequence, keeping your study organized.
- They prepare you to answer any question, not just recycled ones.
What Are Past Questions?
Past questions are actual exam questions from previous years. Many students use them to test their knowledge, understand the exam structure, and get used to the timing.
Why Past Questions Are Useful
- They show you the format and common question styles of WAEC, JAMB, or NECO.
- You get to practice how fast you can answer questions under exam pressure.
- They help you spot repeated topics and important areas to focus on.
- They help boost your confidence before the exam.
Lesson Notes vs. Past Questions: Which Should You Choose?
The real question is not "which is better?" but rather "how can I use both effectively?" Relying only on lesson notes may leave you unprepared for real exam situations. Relying only on past questions may limit your understanding, especially if questions are rephrased in a new way.
Recommended: Study JAMB Past Questions, WAEC and other past questions for free.
The Best Strategy Is to Combine Both
- Start with lesson notes: Go through each topic to build your understanding.
- Use past questions: After studying a topic, test yourself with past questions related to it.
- Track your weak areas: Note topics you find difficult and return to the lesson notes for revision.
- Simulate exam conditions: Use past papers to practice under timed conditions, especially for JAMB CBT and WAEC theory sections.
What Do Teachers and Top Students Say?
Most Nigerian teachers agree that a balanced study plan works best. In fact, many top-performing students share this same strategy:
- Study lesson notes first to master the topics.
- Practice past questions regularly to boost speed and confidence.
- Revise notes again before exams, focusing on difficult areas.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Reading only past questions without understanding the theory behind them.
- Using outdated resources that don't follow the current syllabus.
- Ignoring time management during past question practice.
What Should You Do Next?
If you're preparing for WAEC, JAMB, or NECO, here's a simple plan to follow:
- Get reliable and updated lesson notes for your subjects.
- Download or buy past question papers with solutions.
- Use a notebook to track which topics you've studied and your scores on each past question set.
- Don't cram, understand and apply what you learn.
In this website, we provide past questions and lesson notes to help you succeed. Be sure to explore our platform for free and premium learning materials.
Summary
Both lesson notes and past questions are important, one helps you understand, the other helps you practice. When you use them together, you increase your chances of scoring high in your exams. Don't choose one and ignore the other. Instead, be smart and strategic in your exam preparation.
