Science
Learning Lists for Science 8
How to do Examinations
Abstract
This page gives a check list of what to do to prepare for a written examination and to do it on the day
© Dr M D Magee
Contents Updated: Monday, 05 January 2004
Passing your science exams might not get you here, but they will help you get a better job, help you understand the world better, and particularly help you understand what our politicians and corporate bosses are up to.
A. Preparation
- Study conscientiously over a period of time
- Key role—revision—revise systematically:
- Revise continuously throughout course
- not enough time later
- aids future study.
- Make a timetable for revision
- List revision topics
- allocate topics to each day
- revise a variety rather than one
- don’t omit rest and recreation.
- Revise with a friend
- a gives better subject balance
- can help each other—explanations, tests, etc
- reduces anxiety and builds confidence
- don’t allow trivial chat—keep purposeful.
- Find out what is required
- Syllabus—what topics?
- Past papers—what questions?
- Anything compulsory?
- How long for each question?
- Practise what is required
- Practice recall—creative patterns
- Re-organise your ideas—more interesting:
- discussions
- assemble and revise all notes on a topic together
- revise related topics together
- criticise your old notes
- re-write and write summaries.
- Practice answering past papers
- Analyse questions over past few years
- Assemble related questions together
- Write outline plans
- creative patterns
- convert to linear notes
- keep for last minute revision.
- discuss answers with colleagues
- Don’t depend on predicting questions but be able to answer popular ones.
- Revise continuously throughout course
- On day before the exam
- Don’t learn new things
- Either revise normally or relax
- gather together exam equipment
- The evening before relax, watch TV—early to bed
B. Technique
- Maintain confidence, therefore don’t discuss exam immediately beforehand
- Read right through the exam paper (5-10 mins):
- Note carefully the instructions
- How long?
- How many questions need answering?
- Do any carry extra marks?
- Any compulsory questions?
- Are there sections to the paper?
- Are any instructions different from usual?
- What is each question asking for?
- Key verbs—do what is asked:
Analyse Define Illustrate Reconcile Assess Describe Interpret Relate Comment Discuss Justify Review Compare Enumerate List State Contrast Evaluate Outline Summarise Criticise Explain Prove Trace - Don’t change the verb to suit yourself!
- Key verbs—do what is asked:
- Note carefully the instructions
- Budget your time:
- Allocate according to marks per question
- Equal time if equal marks
- Leave 10 minutes for checking at end
- Divide remaining time among questions
- Write down finishing time for each question.
- Outline all questions to check how much you know
- Jot down main ideas
- creative patterns
- free association
- keywords.
- Put into logical order
- Allow perhaps ¼ of the time for this
- avoids repetitious answers
- cross fertilisation of ideas
- full answers easy to write
- helps choose right questions.
- Jot down main ideas
- Determine priorities:
- Compulsory questions first
- Best questions next
- Don’t over-run budget time: ½ + ½ > 1
- Answering questions:
- stick to the point
- do what is asked
- Be concise
- Write legibly—be presentation conscious
- Use diagrams to save words.
- Checking:
- don’t rush away—check answers
- any important omissions—eg a “not”!
- periods in calculations
- faulty grammar or spelling.
- Don’t have a post-mortem—it’s always depressing.
- don’t rush away—check answers
C. Learn from Examinations
- Exams have diagnostic value:
- Note examiner’s comments
- Compare with model answers
- Discuss with the tutor
- Follow up your weak areas.
Reference
- D Rowntree, How to Study, chapter 7
