Study Help - General Study Skills

Exam Techniques

Firstly make a note in your log of your most recent experience with an examination. Do you remember how you felt and how you approached the questions? Now read through the following techniques listed below. Make notes in your log to help you remember these techniques.

1. Of course, the most important thing is to relax. Practice some relaxation techniques that suit you now and then use them as you need them at exam time.
2. When you are given the exam paper and before you start writing, take the following steps:
• Carefully read the instruction which should tell you how you're expected to answer the paper, how many questions you should answer and the value of each.
• Read through all the questions.
• If you have a choice, decide which questions you'll answer or at least which questions you will start with.
• Decide how much time you'll need to spend on each question because of its value, and according to how thoroughly you can answer it.
• Decide on the order in which you'll answer the questions. Answer first the questions you know most about and which are easiest. If you run out of time, you do so on a subject which will earnyou fewer marks.

3. When you're allowed to start writing, jot down any thoughts or ideas you have about each of the questions you'll answer. These jotting can be useful memory triggers when you actually come to answer the question.
   


4. For essay-type questions, analyse the wording of the question and plan your essay. include your plan in your exam booklet.
   


5. Write as quickly and as clearly as you can.
   


6. If you have a memory lapse in the middle of a question leave a few pages, go to another question, and later return to the first question.
   


7. Answer as many questions as you are required to. If you only answer the questions you know well, you're unlikely to make up enough marks to pass.
   


8. If you run out of time, jot down the main points you were going to make.
   


9. Try to leave time at the end of the exam to read back over your answers. Correcting poor expression or spelling or checking your calculations can make an important difference.

Adapted from:

Marshall, L. and Rowland, F. 1998, A Guide to Learning Independently, 3rd edition, Longman, Melbourne. p.75