Exam PreparationExam PreparationWorkshopWorkshop

Welcome !Welcome !

October, 2008 James Cook University, Brisbane

Learning & Support Services (LSS)

3 Workshop Objectives: 3 Workshop Objectives: 1. To provide students with key exam

techniques and skills necessary to successfully prepare for any type of the exam/and exam questions &

2. To provide students with a number of strategies necessary to manage stress associated with exam preparation and / or exam.

3 Main Types of 3 Main Types of Exam Exam

CLOSED book: does not allow you access to any resource material. It forces you to rely on your memory;

OPEN book: allows you to consult your notes and/or any other appropriate reference material (e.g. textbooks);

TAKE HOME: allows you a number of days to respond to the question in your home setting.

Exam Preparation – Key Exam Preparation – Key steps steps

1. Step – find out as much as possible about the exam:

What format the exam will take?(e.g. essay, short answer and/or

multiple choice format)?

Is the exam open book or closed book?

Knowing how the exam is marked and what proportion of your total mark it’s worth might also be helpful.

Exam Preparation – Key steps Exam Preparation – Key steps

2. Step – Revision Start it early! At least 3 weeks before the exam , draw up an

exam timetable and revision time and stick to it.

Decide about what areas to revise! Key topics, concepts, arguments, technical terms,

definitions summaries of key points, formulae, rules, diagrams and / or charts.

Revise & Learn (not just re-read) - sometimes reading through notes doesn't result in learning or understanding.

Remember – try to synthesize, not just memorize the information (e.g. try and explain the context to your own friend using your own words and understanding of the material).

2. Step – Revision 2. Step – Revision

RE ORGANISE & summarize your notes so that you end with an outline of each topic laid out on one side of A4 paper.

Do NOT try to read new material from books at this stage.

Draw up a KEY Facts summary of important facts, terms definitions etc.

Try to memorize all facts that are not provided on the formula sheets .

However, bear in mind that the exam is to test your understanding far more than your memory .

Example 1 - Study TimetableExample 1 - Study Timetable

SatSat SunSun MonMon TuesTues WedWed ThursThurs FriFri

9-119-11

AcctgAcctg11- 12 11- 12 BreakBreak

8-11 8-11 AcctgAcctg

9 -12 9 -12 Acctg Acctg ExamExam

9-11 9-11 EconEcon

9 -12 9 -12 EconEcon

ExamExam

9-11 9-11 MktgMktg

11-1 11-1 BreakBreak

12-3 12-3 AcctgAcctg

11-111-1

BreakBreak12-612-6

BreakBreak11-1211-12

BreakBreak12-3 12-3 BreakBreak

11-111-1

BreakBreak

1-3 1-3 AcctgAcctg

3-6 3-6 BreakBreak

1-4 1-4 AcctgAcctg

6-8 6-8 EconEcon

12-312-3

MktgMktg3-5 3-5 MktgMktg

1-4 1-4 Mktg Mktg ExamExam

3-5 3-5 BreakBreak

6-8 6-8 EconEcon

4-64-6

BreakBreak8-9 8-9 BreakBreak

3-6 3-6 BreakBreak

5-8 5-8 BreakBreak

Rest!Rest!

Party!Party!

5-7 5-7 EconEcon

6-9 6-9 EconEcon

9-109-10

MktgMktg6-9 6-9 EconEcon

8-10 8-10 MktgMktg

33rdrd Step - A Step - A day before the day before the exam exam Watch your favourite TV show or  go to the

movies to take a break from studying.Relax – try meditation, massage, deep

breathing or yoga, walk, exercise ....Sleep and eat well Limit caffeine Avoid alcoholCheck the day/time/place for your

examCheck transport, parking

arrangement …

In the exam room – tips for In the exam room – tips for success success

Come to the exam 15 minutes earlier ( at least)

Consider what you can bring – Check with your lecturer if you’re not sure. Pens (bring a spare!!!), pencils, erasers, liquid paper, ruler, calculator and any materials for open book exams, hard copy - dictionaries (not electronic)!

note that - an English language dictionary will be available.

In the exam room – exam STEPS In the exam room – exam STEPS

1.Quickly SKIM through the whole exam before you start, noting types of questions, what may take the most time and how you may allocate your time to different sections.

2.CHECK you have every page, including both sides!

3.READ every question properly (if possible twice) before answering it.

4.TICK and order the questions you plan to answer

5.RE-READ the questions and underline key words and phrases.

6.WRITE notes/brief outline answers in your exam booklet

7.REMEMEBR to look at the amount of marks for each question and design your answer accordingly.

Identifying questionsIdentifying questions

1. Knowledge: definitions, facts, or observations- e.g. What? ; Where? ; When? ;Why? (if cause is given) ;Define...

2. Comprehension: give a full and accurate description in correct sequence; state the main idea, explaining its significance, or clarify points of similarity and difference-for example : describe (what happened in our experiment); How are (these two systems) alike? How are they different?

3. Application: apply techniques and rules to solve problems that have a single correct answer- e.g. If X = 83, what does Y equal? ;What is (the latitude of Brisbane)?

Identifying questionsIdentifying questions

4. Analysis: identify motive or cause, showing essential elements; making inferences on the basis of information, or finding evidence to support generalisations - e.g. why (does this trend occur)?;Now that we've studied this, what can we conclude about (x)?

5. Synthesis: solve problems and make predictions based on rules, procedures, or frameworks you know about-e.g. Can you think up (a method for solving x)? ;How can we solve (this dilemma)?

6. Evaluation: give your opinions about an issue, judging the validity of an idea, the merit of a solution, or the quality of a product- e.g. Do you agree (with X)? Do you believe (that this is the best way to proceed)?

Answering questionsAnswering questionsNumber answers clearly and

accurately. Work thoroughly but rapidly. Answer the hardest questions

first particularly if they are worth the most marks.

Use other questions for clues. Notice where words/figures are

emphasised. Find the themes, relate these to

the course objectives. Identify formulae and equations

presented in words.

Answering the questions: essay Answering the questions: essay and short answer questions and short answer questions

Be aware OF THE TIME Provide definitions where necessary. Identify key concepts Give examplesWrite clearly and simply Do not forget to look at the number of marks

allocated to the question. Short answer questions: it is helpful to identify

the number of parts to the question and the steps required to answer those parts. Write your answers in point form or short sentences.

Essay answer questions: Analyse the question, Write a brief essay plan –include relevant content to answer the question -write a better intro and conclusion

Answering multiple Answering multiple choice questionschoice questionsMultiple-choice and true/false

questions require you to identify the correct answer from a range of possible responses.

For multiple-choice questions, use a process of elimination.

For true/false questions, ask yourself "Is it true that... ?"

Read the directions carefully. Know how much time is allowed for the test.

Answering multiple choice Answering multiple choice questions questions

Examine the sequence of questions. Does that give you any clues?

Read all the alternatives before choosing the answer.

Make certain you are choosing the 'best' answer to the question.

Be aware of the wording: "always", "never", “ “does-not”

Remember that wrong options are often based on common misconceptions.

Make an educated guess for unknown answers unless you are penalised for wrong answers.

Before the exam finishesBefore the exam finishes

Re-attempt questions you found too difficult at first.

Check your answers. Never leave the exam early. Make sure – your name and student number are written on all papers

If you are running out of time- provide an outline/plan of your answer to the question

Thank You Thank You & &

Good Luck Good Luck