exam preparation

Exams How to prepare for exams Exam strategies and tips Exam language

SAC Guided Independent Learning

and

Exam strategiesThe best way to deal with exam stress is

to…

…be well prepared

…

…follow a strategy.

Even if you are nervous, you will be able to function if you have a plan and follow it.


Exam checklistPreparation / Revision

What topics will the

examination cover?

How many questions will

be in the examination?

How long is the

examination?

Is it necessary to

answer all the

questions?

Are any of the questions compulsory?

Is there a choice of

questions to answer?


Exam checklistPreparation / Revision

What percentage of the total marks is given for

each question? Looked at the

examination information in your division/module

handbook. Does the handbook list marking

criteria?

What can you take to the

exam? (pens, erasers, books,

notes, dictionaries, calculators - what kind?, a watch, etc.)


Exam checklistThe Day before the Exam

Check the date and time of the examination.

Check where the examination room is.


Exam checklistOn the Exam Day Get to the

room a bit early, not at

the last minute.

Make sure you have

your student ID.

If you have lost your ID, have a note from the Student Affairs

Office? (AB 145)


Exam checklistBefore you start

Is there more than one section?

Do different sections have

specific instructions?

What percentage of the total

marks is given for

each question? Allow time

for each question.

Remember to leave time

for proofreading.

Analyze the question(s) carefully.

Plan your written

answers.


Exam strategiesRead the instructions

carefully

Do you have to answer all the questions or can you

choose?

How much time do you have to answer each

question?


Exam strategies

Consider the weighting given to each section and allocate time accordingly.

You have 3 questions to answer, each worth equal marks:A = your best topic (easiest for you)B = middleC = hardest

What order do you answer them in?

Exam time management


Exam strategies

What order do you answer them in?

This depends on:• whether your answers improve as you warm up or deteriorate as you become tired.• whether you feel more confident writing your best or worst answer first.• whether you are you good at keeping to time. If not, do you leave your best or worst question till last to do quickly?

Exam time management


Exam strategies

Plan your time(remember to take a

watch)


Exam strategies


Exam strategies

Plan and

stay on track

Write an outline, draw a mind map or have a simple list. Check you cover everything.As you write, refer back to the question occasionally so you do not go off topic.

When you finish writing your answer, draw a line through your outline.


Exam strategies

Read the questions carefully

Answer question specifically. It’s not enough just to write

about a topic

Underline the keywords in questions

Read each question several times to make sure you

understand clearly


Exam strategiesIf you cannot answer a

question

Do not skip it.

• review the question carefully • identify the broader topic• write about what you do know

You may get partial credit for some relevant information.


Exam strategies

Handwriting/Neatness

• Write legibly. • Markers will not give credit if they cannot read your answer. • Writing on every second line is clearer and allows you to correct / add information later.


Exam strategies

Multiple choice questions Answers using

absolute words, such as “always” or “never” are less likely to be correct. In the social sciences absolutes are rare. Conditional words like “usually”, “often”, “seldom” or “may” are more likely to be correct.

Look for grammatical clues.

If the question ends in “an”, for example, then the correct response probably begins with a vowel. Also watch for singular / plural and subjects - verb agreement


Exam strategies

Multiple choice questions

“All of the above” is often a correct response. If you can verify several responses are probably correct, it is the likely answer. “None of the above” is seldom a correct response.

If two choices mean the same thing, you can often eliminate both of them.

If two choices are opposites, the correct response is often one of those choices.


Exam strategies


Read questions for negative verbs. If the question asks “which of the following are NOT applicable” be sure to answer accordingly.

Always answer ALL questions – if in doubt, GUESS. No answer = no mark.

With a choice of 4 answers, even a guess has 25% chance of being right.


Exam strategies


Check you have transferred all your answers to answer sheet correctly and filled in all the answers.

Again, no answer = no mark.


Exam strategiesShort answer

questions

You should…

• outline/summarise information • or present brief explanations (backed up by facts)

You do not need introductions and conclusions.


Exam strategiesLonger essay

questions

Follow basic essay structure.

Support your arguments with facts, examples, reasons.

Make sure you paraphrase and cite sources.Memorized, unattributed (un-cited) excerpts may be considered plagiarism.


Essay questions do not simply test how much you ‘know’ or have memorized about a subject.

Exam writingWhat do essay questions test?


your understanding of key terms and concepts your ability to analyse or evaluate specific

situations, concepts, principles, or theories your ability to recognize and articulate

relationships your ability to support arguments and opinions

logically with evidence, examples, and citation of expert opinion

your ability to make comparisons and to synthesise information to support an argument

your ability to think critically and apply knowledge

Essay questions test…


The topic is what an essay is about in the most general terms.

For example: To what extent is pollution man’s greatest

enemy?

Discuss the principal methods of controlling noise at work. Provide examples of each method.

Analysing Essay Questions

Identify the Topic


The focus in an essay question restricts or limits the topic.


enemy?



Identify the Focus


The task directs you how to construct the answer. There may be more than one task.


enemy?



Identify the Task


Viewpoint refers to the requirement that the essay be from a particular point of view. It determines the argument, pro or con.

If the viewpoint is not specified, you are free to choose.


Identify the Viewpoint


For example:

Show how over-population is a result of poverty rather than a cause.

‘Violence on television and in films has encouraged violence among today’s young people.’ Give reasons why the above statement is not true.

Note: ‘Nuclear war is man’s greatest enemy. Discuss.’ A question like

this does not have an imposed viewpoint. You can argue either way.


Identify the Viewpoint


It is generally recommended that you make a plan. If you do plan, make sure it helps you.

An effective plan will: save you time. help you focus on the question. help you organise arguments logically before

you write. provide a safety blanket - if time is running out

or your mind goes blank, you still have a guide.

Planning Your Answer


Keep the plan brief. There is no need to write

‘Introduction’, ‘Paragraph 1’, etc. Choose a style that suits you – a list, a mind

map, topic blocks Don’t worry about being tidy – only you will

read it. Cross out your plan once your answer is

finished.

Planning Your Answer

Remember:


provide a brief background clearly and concisely answer the

question conform to the question (Do not alter

the approach required by the question) be limited to a few sentences (because

of time limits)

Exam Essay StructureThe introduction should:


topic area and specific point(s) to be addressed

opinion (this will be implied by your choice of information and later, by your conclusions)

supporting information, any criteria used indicate in some way the essay’s

organization (the thesis statement implies a structure for the main body)

Exam Essay StructureA thesis statement should indicate:


be structured roughly according to the order of information in the thesis statement.

develop your argument/s in clear paragraphs or sections

provide evidence /examples / details and citations (if possible) to answer the question

provide links between each section

Exam Essay StructureThe main body should:


answer the question with a summary of the main points you have made

avoid detail not include any new information say something meaningful to finish,

e.g. a prediction, a comment, an observation, etc

Exam Essay StructureThe conclusion should:


Check your division and module handbooks for information about essay structure.

Some tutors may prefer that you omit an introduction in exam essays and begin answering the question straight off.

Exam Essay Structure


Exam strategiesProofread your

work.

- illogical sentence structure

- misquoted facts and figures

- incorrect vocabulary

- incomplete answers

- irrelevant information

- spelling & grammar errors

Look for…


Exam strategiesInstruction Words:

Glossary

This is a glossary of instruction words for short answer and essay questions.

If you are unsure of the meaning of any of the words, you should make sure you learn them before your exams.


Exam strategiesInstruction Words:

Glossary

Note: Your tutors’ definitions supersede any of these definitions. Check division / module handbooks to see if key terms are provided and explained.

And remember…

Remember to back up your assertions with facts and examples. Remember to cite expert opinion.

Paraphrased not memorized information is required.


Instruction Words: Glossary


Instruction Words: Glossary

The information in today’s workshop and the complete glossary are available on the u-drive:

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