How to Pass Exams: Accelerate Your Learning, Memorise Key Facts, Revise Effectively [Paperback]

Dominic O'Brien (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 13, 2003

The World Memory Champion's fully updated memory tips for students of all ages. Dominic O'Brien, eight times World Memory Champion, outlines in simple language the steps you can take to increase your memory power and pass your exams with flying colours. Whether you are at school studying a foreign language or at university revising for an examination toward a degree, How to Pass Exams will show you the easy way to accelerated learning and help you achieve top grades in any subject. In this practical and accessible guide, Dominic O'Brien shares with you the secret of his amazing talents and offers you the key to success in your studies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Eight-times World Memory Champion O'Brien claims there is nothing to fear about exams other than fear itself. You don't need to be an Einstein to get through maths, or a literary genius to sail through English Lit. Even the least intellectual among us has the capacity to chalk up A grades all the way, he says - and points to himself as an example of an Everyman who achieved extraordinary things. If it all sounds too simple and good to be true, then possibly it is. The book promises 'easy-to-grasp techniques' and 'invaluable tricks', but the formulae do not come without effort. Indeed, for much of the time the methods sound like hard work. In the first part of his book O'Brien introduces the skills needed for speed reading, mind-mapping and memory-sharpening. The second part gets down to the nitty-gritty of practical experience, putting those skills into operation. None of them come without endeavour - they require a great deal of determination and practice. As O'Brien points out from the start, you must have the desire to achieve as well as the technique. As a teacher he ranks among the best, coming across as a friend and mentor as well as guide. He explains his memory methods in easy language and with a progression of exercises while taking care to nurture the confidence of his pupils. Follow his line to the letter and you really could go places. But be warned - a simple browse through the book will not on its own work miracles. However, for those with the determination to master O'Brien's methods, there truly does seem to be an enormous amount to gain. (Kirkus UK)

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Duncan Baird Publishers (March 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1904292399
• ISBN-13: 978-1904292395
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #493,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent guide to advanced memory training, August 29, 2003

By 

MCSD for Microsoft .Net (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Pass Exams: Accelerate Your Learning, Memorise Key Facts, Revise Effectively (Paperback)

If you are just starting out learning how to improve your memory, then a book by Harry Lorayne might be more appropriate for you. But if you already have a trained memory and want to take your skills to the next level, then I recommend this title strongly. O'Brien explains his DOMINIC system quite well in this work; now I understand why he uses people instead of only objects. While I don't believe that a beginner would find the DOMINIC system as easy to learn and use as the Major System, I still encourage people to try both apporaches to determine which works best for them.

Dominic also expatiates on his language learning approach, offers mathematical shortcuts, and presents ways to memorize quotes and speeches. Some great ideas based largely on the loci system can be found here.

In many ways I like this updated version of How to Pass Exams better than How to Develop a Perfect Memory, another book by O'Brien that I own. Dominic has contributed some unique refinements to the field of mnemotechny, so I view his books as worthwhile purchases for any memory training expert and perhaps for a few mnemonics neophytes, too.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Useful Book for All Students, November 5, 2007

By 

Joseph Moreland (Oklahoma, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Pass Exams: Accelerate Your Learning, Memorise Key Facts, Revise Effectively (Paperback)

This book is an easy and interesting read. This book will help anyone who needs to know how to memorize information, take notes, and speed read do so. Dominic covers topics such as speed reading, mind mapping, the link method, giving presentations, how to learn foreign languages, remembering quotes, remembering historical dates, geography, and when to review information so that you don't forget what you've learned. This book was a huge help to me while I was in college. The information contained in this book saved my college career. I was struggling in school. I was consistently pulling of several D's and F's in classes for a semester.

I then learned the principles that Dominic O'Brien puts forth in this book and the results were astonding. Just by swithch over to these principles of study I was able to raise my grades a letter grade. Then, through spending time each day practicing memorizing information using Dominic's method to memorise information I found my memory improving. I found that the more I practiced the more information I could memorize at one time, which meant less time to have to memorize information. This resulted in less time that it took me to study with better grades than I was making before. I even got so good that I learned that I could in some classes memorize the information get done sooner then I could before and then go back and memorize the information to chapter, chapter title, page, and paragraph number. I actually did this on one test at my University, I was able to recall information not only by quote but also by chapter, chapter title, page, and paragraph number and did so on the test. I made an A on the test.

I've also increased my reading speed 550-850 wpm simply by practicing the suggestions that Dominic makes in this book. His chapter on mind mapping has all you need to know to start mind mapping. I've tried mind mapping and have found that by mind mapping I can for once keep up with the pace that my professor is lecturing at, I could not before. Furthermore, by mind mapping I've learned to take better notes. I've found that I can retain more information in my memory after mind mapping than traditional notes.

This is what I've achieved by putting every thing into practice that Dominic has in this book and I'm a firm believer that it will work for you as well if you are willing to put it into practice. Since, that is the case I recommend practicing memorizing information at least 30 min to an hour each useing Dominic's methods and you'll find that you'll get better. A better memory comes with practice.

Finally, as far the system that Dominic uses to memorize numbers, it is much easier for a beginner than the major system. When I was a beginner I found the major system hard because the in some cases two or more different consants can both stand for one number in Dominic's system one letter always stands for one number and the letters that correspond to each number are easier to learn because for the most part it follows the alphabet. Case in point, the Dominic system is much easier and less confusing to learn. I would recommend this book to anyone.

5.0 out of 5 stars If Only You Could Get It, August 30, 2011

By 

BMR "BMR" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Pass Exams: Accelerate Your Learning, Memorise Key Facts, Revise Effectively (Paperback)

One of my favorites.

This book is clear and concise. I bought it a while ago -- unfortunately it seems like its out of print now. If you can get your hands on a copy, don't let go. Otherwise, I think O'Brien's other books will suffice.

I wouldn't spend $80 on this book when you can buy one of O'Brien's other books for less than a quarter of the price. However, if the price seems reasonable to you, buy it quickly.