Exam strategies

809 views 9 replies

Five important points to remember on exam day

         
   1.  Get there on time - make arriving at the exam on time as simple and straightforward as  possible so you feel relaxed.

   2. Take care of the technicalities - budgeting time, bringing the right equipment, writing legibly, improving weaker answers before polishing good ones.

   3. Read the instructions.

   4. Breathe deeply and don't panic.

   5. Answer the question. Establish what it asks for; then recall, select the relevant material, organise it, and formulate your answer.

Replies (9)

Going blank in an exam

Here are two things you can do if you find that you have gone completely blank and you don't know what to do.  The first thing you can do is approach it on a physical level and begin breathing very deeply.  Just let your mind go blank, flow with it for a few minutes breathing in and out as deeply as you can. Close your eyes if you like and just come around gently once your body is feeling more relaxed.

         

If you are just about to start writing on a certain question and your mind goes blank, just start writing anything at all on some scrap paper.  Perhaps write the name of the topic, scribble down anything you can think of about the subject, and just see what happens.  Hopefully this should jog your memory and get you thinking about the topic again.  If it still does not work though, skip the question and come back to it later. Don't spend precious time agonising over something that will probably return to you as your mind is prompted by other material on the exam.

Strategies for multiple choice and short-answer questions

1Survey the test to see how many different kinds of questions are being asked, to get a perspective on  the exam.

2 Check the marks allotted against the time available for each question, reading the instructions carefully.

3. Do not read elements into the question which are not there.  Underline words and phrases so that you realise what is there.

4.  Watch for absolute words or phrases, for example the words  not or  no,  always, or  never.

5. Do not assume that  a proposition is false just because it is unfamiliar (and vice versa).

6.Check your answers.  Make sure you know if a penalty is applied for guesses which are incorrect.

7. Remember that all of the questions should be related to the course you are doing.  Think about the questions in terms of the course objectives and your understanding of what your lecturer was trying to achieve.

Checklist for exam strategies

Handling the question

Check that you have identified the direction words, the content words which identify the precise topic of the question, and any limiting words.

What assumptions are present in the question?

What stance/point of view have you adopted?

Planning

Have you used individuality in planning your answer? Will the examiner be able to distinguish your exam  favourably from all the exams in the class?

Have you included  all aspects of the question?

Can the examiner identify your plan?

Paragraph structure

Are all your major ideas related to the question theme?

Are they in proper sequence?

Are there clear topic sentences?

 

Language and sentence structure

Check spelling, punctuation, capitals, consistency of names, and details. Check that no words have been left out.

Check for clarity and precision.

Consider the examiner's expectations in relation to the exam quesitons. Are you expected to present the data or accept it as given and focus on interpretation?

 

Exam revision plan

1.Make a list of all your subjects' exams and a brief descripttion of the type of examination for each.  (2 minutes)

2. For each one, note down what kind of revision you want to do and where you will start.  (10 minutes)

3.How many days are there between now and the start of exams?  Estimate how many of these days you can use as revision days.  (5 minutes)

4.Using the notes you have made, work out a revision plan for yourself.  (5 minutes)

5.Consider factors which will affect you in carrying out this plan.  Make two separate lists: one of helping factors, such as membership of a  study group.

 

Study groups

Should I study by myself or in a group?

Informal study groups can work well if:

 you have common objectives and everyone is keen to achieve them

meetings are tailored with objectives in mind

you have common topics you want to cover

you get on well together

you are all prepared to share what you know

you leave time for private study too

meetings are not just an excuse to get together with your friends

 

 

Now, look for ways of  boosting the helping factors and reducing the hindering factors.  Write them down.

But most important: Start thinking about revising now, then  do it!

Bala Sir,Thanks a lot for so much detail tips.

 

 

zwani.com myspace graphic comments
Thank You Graphic Comments

 

 

thanx for sharing sir................

Mind blowing fantastic very good work sir......

THANKS FOR VALUABLE SHARING..............

pls tell me whn pcc results will b announced


CCI Pro

Leave a Reply

Your are not logged in . Please login to post replies

Click here to Login / Register