Nestlé Japan has done a sterling job of marketing KitKats for the domestic market by playing up the phrase “kitto katsu”, which sounds like “KitKat” and also translates to “sure to succeed”. As a result, the chocolate wafer bars have become popular good luck items, given as gifts and consumed by hardworking students hoping to pass their exams.

Now, with the January to March exam season almost upon us, Nestlé Japan has teamed up with the Nishitetsu taxi company in Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu, to provide a lucky cab service for locals in the area. Called the “Juken ni KitKat” model, or the “Sure to Succeed in the Exam” model, the eye-catching cars will come in two varieties.

Two yellow KitKat cabs will be available in Fukuoka City, with three in Kurume City.

As an added bonus, the first 2,000 people in each city to catch one of the specially marked taxis will receive a free “exam message” box of mini KitKats. Passengers will have to mention to the driver that they’re studying in order to receive one of the free packs.

Before their inaugural run, the vehicles were blessed by a Shinto priest in a special ceremony at Kora Grand Shrine which included prayers for success in examinations.

Those looking to catch a lucky break in a specially wrapped taxi can book one by advance phone reservation during the promotional period to March 8. Phone bookings aren’t necessarily required, however, as the company says you’ll be given a dose of extra luck if you happen to hail down one of these by chance on the street.

source: japantoday.com

Here are seven last-minute tips that can help you finish your prep strong and perform at your peak:

1. Do not underestimate the power of proper rest

This piece of advice is listed first because it is one of the most important and most frequently overlooked strategies. Our brains are at their best when they are rested. If you sit for an exam while exhausted, you will have a much harder time recalling the information you need to earn a high score. Tests (especially at college) are designed to assess knowledge and skills that you accumulate over months of study, so frantically reviewing your notes the week before the exam will not help you. You can study an hour or so a day to keep yourself focused and on-topic, but avoid working late into the evening.

2. Rest your hands

The majority of the tests are not yet computer-delivered, and this means that you will be doing quite a bit of writing by hand. It may seem strange to think about, but tired hands are one factor that can affect your performance. However, there are ways to minimize the likelihood of aching fingers. On the day of your exam, bring a stress ball or other stress relief toy that will help your hands relax from their pencil-clutch posture. You can even bring a small tube of moisturizer or Tiger Balm to rub into your fingers.

3. Use your downtime wisely

Part of entering an exam week rested and relaxed is feeling mentally refreshed. Make time, too, for an activity that is fun and relaxing. Go for a walk, play a favourite video game, or invite your friends over. The specifics of what you do matter less than ensuring that you do not spend the week before your exams tense and anxious.

4. Review class content, but do so selectively

As mentioned above, avoid entirely abandoning your test prep. Taking a high-stakes exam “cold” is guaranteed to leave you stressed come test day. Instead of broadly reviewing, however, study several points that are essential to earning your intended score.

5. Practice your editing

As you study for your exams, include a bit of practice with editing essays. Before you take your first exam, locate several essays that you have written for class and edit them for clarity. On test day, you will not have time for extensive rewrites of your free response answers, so it is well worth knowing where to focus your energies. Include this practice in your daily study hour. While you cannot add much information to your store of knowledge at this point, you can improve your test-taking process.

6. Rest between back-to-back exams

Many students who take tests report feeling worn out after just one – let alone back-to-back exams! Unfortunately, because the exam schedules are usually fixed, you may face this very situation. If you must complete back-to-back tests, plan ahead to ensure that you will have some quality rest time between exams. For example, bring music to listen to, and eat a healthy meal (one including complex carbohydrates, protein, and vegetables to nourish your brain).

7. Schedule recovery time

If you have multiple tests on multiple days, do your best to clear your schedule in the evenings. You will need to relax and sleep in order for your brain to recharge, and a busy night can interfere with this process. Do indulge in light exercise (you will be amazed at how effectively it can reset your mind) or a favourite activity. Continue to eat well, and – as has been mentioned many times – get your rest! You will be well on your way to success if you do.

This woman wrote a note to her maths exam marker. What happened 20 years later will amaze you

source: Mirror

note – megjegyzés, üzenet
exam marker – az írásbeli vizsga értékelője
exam – vizsga
to amaze – csodálatba ejt
to apologise – elnézést kér
to waste – elpocsékol
to be impressed by sg.  – nagy hatással van rá vmi
to track down – felkutatni
decade – évtized
wholeheartedly – teljes szívből
to mark – osztályozni, értékelni
to enter – itt: elindul, részt vesz
against sy’s will – akarata ellenére
mathematically-minded – matekos agyú
annoyed – ideges
silly – buta
maths paper – matekdolgozat
corner – sarok
troublesome – kellemetlen, neveletlen
examiner – vizsgáztató
to return – visszajuttat
to invite – meghív
politically incorrect – nem politikailag korrekt
to manage – beteljesít, sikerül
business development manager – értékesítési és marketing menedzser
invigilator – felügyelő
to deluge – eláraszt
hang on to sg. – ragaszkodik valamihez
to touch – megérint
to get in touch – kapcsolatba lép
 

Choose the correct words for the sentences.

1. Marnie was a …………….. girl, she always got into fights even as a little girl.
a) kind
b) troublesome

2. They pushed me to do this against my ……..
a) will
b) want

3. The …………. was very strict, hardly anybody got a good mark.
a) examiner
b) exterminator

4. Peter and Paula got really ………….. and frustrated at the restaurant because the chef kept talking to them all evening. 
a) calm
b) annoyed

5. Can you write your name in the …………. of your paper?
a) corner
b) corncob

answers: 1-b 2-a 3-a 4-b 5-a