strategies for EXAM

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1. Essays • Re-read the question as you start it and underline the key words and phrases. • Marks are only given when your answer matches the question. Many students write an answer with correct information but do not answer the question. • Words like ‘discuss’, ‘illustrate’, ‘compare’, and ‘contrast’ require different answers. • Do a brief outline of the major points and order the points before you start. This should take 5 minutes out of 30 minutes. Check again that your outline answers the question. It will also help you to write the Introduction and Conclusion. • You should have a clear argument which you develop and support with facts. • Don’t waffle. Be concise. Padding a few facts into a three page essay will annoy the examiner. • On the other hand, always write something down. A blank page will definitely get 0%. • If you run out of time, jot down the essential points. • Start each answer on a new page. • Clearly number or label the answers. 2. Multiple choice • Make sure your name is on the answer sheet. • If you don’t immediately know the answer, move on and return to a difficult question after you have answered the ones you do know. • If the best answer is not immediately obvious, eliminate the incorrect options and choose between the remainders. • Sometimes there will be more than one correct answer. You must choose the best answer. • Change your answer only if you have a very strong feeling that your first response was wrong. • Take care to record every answer in the correct space. • Don’t forget to go back to the questions you haven’t answered. • If you don’t know the answer and there are no penalties for wrong answers ... GUESS! 3. Short answer • Short answer exams are a test of your concise and logical thinking. • Use the same strategies as for essays. • If you don’t immediately know the answer, move on and return to the question later. Don’t waste time wondering what to write. 4. True/false questions • Questions including absolute qualifiers (eg. never, always, and all) stand a greater chance of being false. • Questions including relative qualifiers (eg. sometimes, normally, and most) are most likely to be true. • Lengthy statements are more likely to be true than short statements. • If a question has any false parts, the entire item must be false. • If you don’t know the answer, move on and return to the question later. 5. Open book • In these types of exams you are allowed to bring in specified materials. This does not mean they are easier. They often require much better understanding of the subject matter. Marking is more stringent. • Avoid lengthy quotes. • Use quality information (not quantity). • Be super-organised in your answer (do a very good outline). • Use information accurately and purposefully. • Your preparation should ensure that you have marked the important areas in your text so that you can find them quickly.