Exam writing skills

Examination Skills

Most NB skills

• What are the most important exam skills?

– Reading – Writing

• Corner stones of examination skills

Study scheduling

• What is the goal for writing examinations?– Perform at your peak

Performing at your peak

• How do you do that?– Study Schedule

• 3 to choose from– Semester/year planner– Weekly planner during term– Weekly planner during exam

Semester/year planner

Major events (incl. academic and social) for an overview

Weekly planner during term

Plan activities for each day

Weekly planner during exam

• What time of day are you most alert?

Examination stress and anxiety

It is normal to be nervous

Exam stress

• You need to understand:– What stress and anxiety are • What causes it

– How to prevent it– How to recognise the signs and symptoms– How to manage it

Facts about stress

• Stress = pressure / worry / tension

Facts about stress

• Stress = the reaction to a problem or event

Facts about stress

• The causes of stress are known • It is temporary• Can be managed

Facts about stress

• Anxiety = tension and fear – Goes with stress

Facts about stress

• High levels of anxiety?– Talk to a counsellor • May be due to low self-confidence

Facts about stress

• Unmanaged stress + anxiety = depression

Facts about stress• A small amount of stress + anxiety =

motivation

Signs and symptoms

• Know the signs as be aware of them– Could be different for each person– What are your signs?

Signs and symptoms

• Physical

Signs and symptoms

• Mental

Signs and symptoms

• Emotional

PREVENT ANXIETY AND STRESS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zxq5KqX1T4&feature=player_embedded

Prevent anxiety and stress

• Get organised

Prevent anxiety and stress

• Eat and sleep well

Prevent anxiety and stress

• Learn how to relax• Mediation

Prevent anxiety and stress

• Avoid stressful situations • Hazardous subjects

Prevent anxiety and stress

• Set priorities and realistic goals

• Be goal oriented

Prevent anxiety and stress

• See life as a challenge and take control

Prevent anxiety and stress

• Life management

MANAGEMENT OF STRESS AND ANXIETY

Before the examination

• Do not sleep less• Banish neurotic thoughts• Positive frame of mind• Avoid others who are stressed out

MANAGEMENT OF STRESS AND ANXIETY

During the exam

• Use breathing exercises• Use thought-stopping techniques• Use (positive) self-talk• Use a bridging object (lucky charm)

SO WHAT IS STRESS MANAGEMENT?

The ability to maintain control when people and events create tension that affects you

EXAM WRITING SKILLS

Essay exam

• Analyse the question– including instruction words

• Use relevant examples • Process to write:

– Get right to the point • State your main point in the first sentence

– Discuss these points in more detail– Back your points up with specific details/examples– Make sure you understand – no point otherwise– Assessors look for

• Compactness• Completeness• Clarity

Multiple choice exam

• Read the question and try to answer it– Don’t look at the answers yet

• Then read through all the answers• Eliminate those you know is wrong • Eliminate answers that are illogical • Answers that you don’t understand = often wrong• Never, always, all and none often make answers false • Be careful of negative questions:

– Which of these are NOT• Watch your time • Don’t guess – negative marking

Open book exam

• Don’t underestimate it. • Tests understanding not recall• Be familiar with the content • Do the following:– Keep up to date with readings & assignments – Prepare short notes– Select the material to bring into the exam venue– Anticipate model questions – Organise your material – coloured stickers

Maths, stats & accounting exams

• Prepare well in advance • Make sure you understand each step BEFORE moving to

the next– Get help if needed

• During the exam:– Read the question carefully (interpret it correctly)– Write your answer step by step– Keep checking your calculations – If you get stuck

• Move to the next problem and come back later

– Recheck all your work

Managing the exam writing process

Before the exam

• Use your time productively– Prioritise what to study – Plan before you start (Study timetable)– Listen for clues from the lecturer– Arrange a group study session– Identify the difficult areas and work through them– Work on test and exam papers

• Discuss your answers with your classmates

– Make your own test papers and review your answers

Getting the best out of revision

• Avoid hitting a blank – Revision gives you an overview

• Revision how to: – Revise during the term – Plan in advance (weekly planner)– Have effective summaries– Use pocket size cram cards (you can read them anywhere)– Make revision active

• Ask questions

– Practice using past exam papers– Prioritise topics nearer to the time of the exam (don’t spot)

Be prepared

• Check the date, time and venue of exam• Put stationary together • Plan your transport• Visit venue in advance

The morning before the exam

• Have breakfast– Keep coffee to a minimum

• Leave enough time to get to the venue• Stay calm– Avoid panic talk at the venue

During the exam• Avoid stress talk outside the exam• Complete all information on the cover page • Read through the entire paper before you start• Read the instructions• Jot down key words• Look at the mark allocation • Start with the easy questions • Analyse questions – underline key phrases• Use bullets• Write neatly• Leave black spaces after each question so you can go back and add

information • Do not leave the exam room early • Never leave out a question totally• Compare the number of questions in the question paper to the answer book

After the exam

• Avoid discussing the exam afterwards• Reflecting on exam will help prepare for the next• Consider– Did you revise effectively?– Did you learn in a way to be able to recall facts?– Did you run out of time?– Did you understand all the questions?– Why did you find some questions difficult? – Write down where you wasted time and adapt

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR AN

EXAM?