Christian principle—If you like it, you can’t do it!

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

Preparation
Technique
Learn from Examinations

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.
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!

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.
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.