Exam preparation

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

The best way to deal with
exam stress is to…

…be well …follow a
prepared…
 and
strategy.

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

Preparation / Revision

How many
What topics will
questions will How long is the
the examination
be in the examination?
cover?
examination?

Is it necessary Are any of the Is there a choice
to answer all questions of questions to
the questions? compulsory? answer?


Preparation / Revision

What percentage of the total
marks is given for each What can you take
question? to the exam?
(pens, erasers, boo
Looked at the examination ks, notes, dictionar
information in your ies, calculators -
division/module handbook. what kind?, a
Does the handbook list watch, etc.)
marking criteria?

The Day before the Exam

Check the date and time of the
examination.

Check where the examination
room is.


On the Exam Day

Get to the room
Make sure you
a bit early, not
have your
at the last
student ID.
minute.

If you have lost your ID, have a note from
the Student Affairs Office? (AB 145)


Before you start
What
Do different percentage of
Is there more the total marks
sections have
than one is given for
specific
section? each question?
instructions?

Allow time for Analyze the Plan your
each question. question(s) written
Remember to carefully. answers.
leave time for
proofreading. SAC Guided Independent Learning

Read 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 time management

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 = middle
C = hardest

What order do you answer them in?

Exam time management

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?

Plan your time
(remember to take a watch)


Plan Note how much each question is
worth and set a time limit
accordingly.
* Allow some time to check your
answers.
your
If you run out of time, don’t panic.
* Leave space and go on.
* Go back to it if you have time.
* Markers generally give partial credit
time for incomplete answers.


Write an outline, draw a mind
map or have a simple list. Check
you cover everything.

As you write, refer back to the
Plan and
question occasionally so you do stay on
not go off topic.
track
When you finish writing your
answer, draw a line through your
outline.

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

If you cannot answer a question

• review the question carefully
• identify the broader topic
Do not skip it.
• write about what you do
know

You may get partial credit for some
relevant information.


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.


Multiple choice questions
Answers using absolute
Look for grammatical
words, such as “always”
clues.
or “never” are less likely If the question ends in
to be correct. “an”, for example, then
In the social sciences the correct response
absolutes are rare. probably begins with a
Conditional words like vowel.
“usually”, “often”, “seldo Also watch for singular /
m” or “may” are more plural and subjects -
likely to be correct. verbagreement


If two choices mean the
“All of the above” is
same thing, you can
often a correct response.
often eliminate both of
If you can verify several
them.
responses are probably
correct, it is the likely
If two choices are
answer. “None of the
opposites, the correct
above” is seldom a
response is often one of
correct response.
those choices.


Always answer ALL
Read questions for questions – if in
negative verbs. doubt, GUESS.
If the question asks No answer = no mark.
“which of the following
are NOT applicable” be With a choice of 4
sure to answer answers, even a guess
accordingly. has 25% chance of being
right.


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

Again, no answer = no
mark.

Short answer questions

You should…

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

You do not need introductions and conclusions.


Longer 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.

What do essay questions test?

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


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

Analysing Essay Questions

Identify the Topic
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.



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

For example:
 To what extent is pollutionman’s greatest enemy?




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

For example:

 Discuss the principal methods of controllingnoise at



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

For example:




Identify the Task

For example:
 To what extent ispollutionman’s greatest enemy?

 Discussthe principal methods of controlling noise at



Identify the Task

For example:
 To what extent ispollutionman’s greatest enemy?

 Discussthe principal methods of controlling noise at
work. Provide examples ofeach method.



Identify the Viewpoint
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.

Planning Your Answer

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

Remember:

 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.


Exam Essay Structure

The introduction should:

 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)



A thesis statement should indicate:

 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)



The main body should:

 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



The conclusion 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



 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.


Proofread your work.

Look for…
- incomplete answers - illogical sentence structure

- irrelevant information - misquoted facts and figures

- spelling & grammar - incorrect vocabulary
errors


Instruction 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.



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

And remember…
Paraphrased not memorized information is required.
Remember to back up your assertions with facts and
examples. Remember to cite expert opinion.



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


Exam preparation

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