1. Begin by finding out how your chosen music should sound.
Consider:
The speed
The dynamics
The mood
The style.
Look for clues in the title and the performing directions. If the piece is a gavotte (18th century dance) you will need to make your performance dance. If is has a title such as Five Finger Blues it will need to sound like a blues, not like a classical piece.
2. Practice...and practise...and practise
There is no shortcut to success and no substitute for hard work. There are ways to make it easier:
Concentrate on the difficult sections. It is tempting to practise bits you already know, because they give instant satisfaction, but you need to bring the trickier passages up to the same standard. Aim to feel totally in control of the whole piece.
Be self-critical. Never practise mechanically - listen to the sound you are making, and think about how it could be improved. Record yourself and listen back - if possible, compare the result to a professional recording of the piece.
Concentrate on the images you want to convey in your performing, such as rhythmic energy, a dreamy atmosphere, elegant phrasing, dramatic contrasts or subtle blends. Focus on such detail throughout the music. Getting the notes right is only half the job.
3. Sit quietly without your instrument
Imagine yourself giving a perfect performance of the piece. Can you remember it all, if not the parts that are hazy are the parts you should be practising.
4. Concentrate on the differences
Differences between loud and soft, smooth and detached and whatever other contrasts the piece demands. You will almost certainly have to exaggerate these in your performance if they are to make an impact on the listener.
5. Remember your teacher
Your teacher cannot practise for you but will be able to give you good advice and feedback about the style and effectiveness of your performance.
6. Practise performing
Perform the entire piece to your friends and family. If you become flustered and have to stop and start again, it will not matter in this situation. You will at least know the places that need extra practise. Regular performance opportunities in class will give you valuable experience in coping with stresses and strains of the final assessment.
7. Continuity
You need to keep going. The natural reaction to making a mistake is to stop and try the notes again. Some people even find that after a mistake they can't continue and have to restart the piece in order to have another run at the passage concerned. Hesitations and breakdowns can have a very bad effect on marks. It is important to work on how to keep going despite slips. When practising, try starting from various places rather than the beginning.