Exam technique

People do better in exams when they have good exam technique.

• Use the ten minute reading time to plan out which questions to answer. It's called 'reading time' but it's really decision time.
  Work out exactly what the question is asking for.
• Underline key process words (discuss, describe, compare, etc) and circle key 'content' words.
• Try to allocate time to marks.
  For example, in a three-hour exam with 4 questions you should allocate about 35 minutes per question. This will allow you 5 minutes to plan your answer at the beginning and 5 minutes to correct it at the end.
  If the question indicates where the marks are allocated, include this in your plan. For example, if a question has 25 marks allocated with 15 for part a) and 10 for part b), your answer should reflect this in a 60-40% split in time.
• Always try to plan your answer rather than letting the pen take the lead.
  This will ensure you include the information that is essential rather than that which is incidental to the answer.
  This will also help you think about what to say, reveal missing information, repetition, etc.
  (You don't want to discover you'd have been better answering another question half-way through attempting one you can't finish).
• Always answer the required number of questions and no more.
• Always answer all parts of the question. If you have 35 minutes for the writing the answer, this is possibly just enough only for the main points, so make sure they are properly covered. This is why the plan is important.
• Make sure to define any terms whose meaning is not immediately obvious, you will gain marks for this. If possible use an example or illustration to reinforce your answer.
• Answer the question. If it asks you to 'decide', then decide! If it asks you to compare, then compare!
• Always read through your answers. You will pick up more marks by correcting mistakes, inserting missing information, making writing legible, etc, than you will by continuing writing. You can continue writing after you've made corrections.
• If you do run out of time, still make sure to read and check your answers. Then make a list of the points you would have discussed. Most examiners will award some marks for this.