Succeeding in exams
An exam is a form of assessment where you are required to do a particular academic task or tasks in a limited time, often in a particular place and without assistance from other people and resources. The purpose of exams may vary according to the course, program and type of exam.
Why exams?
Exams are set so that lecturers can gauge students' knowledge and
understanding of the course that may not be available through other
forms of assessment. Exams can test your
- ability to recall and apply theory
- knowledge of the content area
- critical thinking and problem solving skills
- communication skills
- ability to work alone and under pressure
- the authenticity of your work.
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Types of exams and exam questions
There are many types of exams used at university. Most but not all exams are unseen before students enter the exam room. Common exam formats are:
- Multiple choice question exams: present a large number of questions each of the same value. In each question you select the most appropriate response from a list of alternatives.
- Short answer question exams: include a large number of questions requiring answers of up to a paragraph. The nature of the questions may vary: some questions may test memory work; others may test your ability to apply learned concepts.
- Essay exams: present a range of questions divided into sections which reflect themes /topics covered in the course. You must write an essay type response on a certain number of topics. It is important to read and follow the instructions carefully as the marks are likely to be allocated across the various sections of the paper.
- Case study exams: have a scenario, usually involving a
real world issue, with one or more questions to answer.
- Open book exams: have a similar format and expectations to essay exams. They are different in that you are allowed to use
notes and/or books in the exam room.
- Take home exams: have a similar format and expectations to essay exams. In a take home exam you may be expected to do the exam at home but it is only distributed a short time before the due date e.g. within 24 hours.
- Seen exams or open question exams: have a similar format and expectations to essay exams They vary from the essay exam in that you have access to a broad range of questions before the exam to allow time to plan
a response In the exam you may have to respond to a more restricted range of questions under exam conditions.
- Oral exams: are used to test oral language skills. Typically they are administered individually.
- Practical exams: test students practical skills and techniques usually in laboratory, clinical or field settings.
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Before the exam: long-term planning
Your course information for each course provides all the information
you need about assessment: check it for the exam format and any details
of exam content. Exam preparation should be part of your overall
planning for each
study period. At the start of each study period it's important to map the assessment
tasks in every course so that you know what is expected, the timeline,
and the value (%) of each one, including exams. Find out the detail about any exams you
will be sitting so that you can plan your preparation adequately and in
good time. Most exams are set at
the end of study period some time after the end of the teaching
program, though occasionally exams are set in the mid-study period.
You can begin your exam preparation time from the first week of lectures.
Your lecture notes will be the basis for ongoing learning and then exam revision.
So, each week take time to check over current topics as well as review previous work.
Useful strategies:
- identify the most important issues in each theme from the course outline, lecture and tutorial notes, past exam papers
- develop a list of likely questions on each topic
- develop question analysis skills
- talk through the questions and topics with other students
- problem solve in course based support groups
Throughout the study period you need to take good care of yourself to maintain your fitness and concentration.
You need a proper balance of sensible food, exercise, recreation and
enough rest.
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Before the exam: final weeks
The last weeks before the exam can be used to fine tune your understanding of the topics and concepts. Develop an overview of your course by reducing your notes to a
summarised version.
If you are late in starting exam preparation you should use the time
remaining to apply the advice given above. Your late start is likely to mean that you have to allocate a lot more time and effort between now and the exams than you would if you had started earlier. You should still try to cover all the course content more than once so that you both learn and remember.
With too much intensive, last minute study the memory can be overloaded, leading to poor recall in the exam room.
There are several approaches to learning which you may find useful. You may have to select the approaches that are most relevant to your learning needs and type of exam.
- Summaries: reduce the main ideas from lectures, a chapter of a text book or a set of readings to a number of key points that can be memorised. The key points are easier to remember and
in the exam will help you recall your notes.
- Recall cards: use a pack of small cards to develop a glossary with each card having a term on one side and the description/definition/example/diagram on the other. You can use the cards wherever you are to memorise terms and their meanings.
- Concept maps: start by writing a key idea at the centre of a page, then surround it
with concepts that are connected. Make any links that are appropriate.
This is a very useful approach if you respond well to the visual display of ideas.
- Mnemonics: make a connection between what you are trying to learn and something you know well. You can do this by connecting the new idea to a familiar word or picture. For example each letter of the word can be used to remind you of a key term/formula/concept that you need to remember.
- Talk through or verbalise concepts: practise describing or explaining a concept to ensure that you really understand it. Some students talk to each other about key terms; others talk to anything, even inanimate objects like teddy bears.
- Problem solving: apply your knowledge and understanding by solving problems (past exam questions, tutorials topics, questions from text books). Working with other students is
a practical way to check solutions.
Near the exam you will need to:
- allocate more time to revision
- write practice answers keeping to the time that will be allowed in
the exam
- confirm the practical details: date, location, starting time, overall length, number and type of questions, likely allocation of marks, exam weighting (% of study period mark)
- check with a friend that your writing under exam conditions is clear and legible.
- rearrange work or family commitments that might affect your exam performance
As well as adopting these general strategies see the suggestions that follow for specific types of exam.
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On the day of the exam
On the day of the exam you need to be well organised and you will
feel confident because you are well prepared. Check that you have all the equipment and
resources that you are allowed in the exam. Eat well and follow any personal preferences in regard to your level of contact with other students and your time of arrival at the exam room.
Make sure you bring your
student ID card which is also required for identifying you at the venue. Some students like to be very early and chat with friends; others prefer their own company before exams. A certain level of anxiety is normal and this can heighten your performance.
In the exam room select a location that suits you. If you have any problems that you cannot solve
(e.g. wobbly table or chair) get help from the exam supervisor . Make yourself comfortable. Wait for instructions.
When you are told to look at your exam paper, use the reading time to:
- read the instructions carefully
- note how many questions you must answer, any compulsory questions or sections, and the allocation of marks
- allocate time for each question
- if you are allowed to write, jot down ideas or plans for questions.
During writing time:
- analyse questions carefully so that you understand what to do
- start with questions that you know best - this will boost your
confidence
- monitor your progress so that you don't go over time on any section of
the paper
- make sure that the number you put on your answer matches the number on
the question
- leave time at the end to check your writing.
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After the exam
As you can learn from your exam experience you need to
- take time to relax and unwind
- review your performance and take note of anything you want to change next time
- if your performance was disappointing, make time to discuss your exam paper with the course coordinator. Try to find out what you did that lost marks. For example, poor question analysis is a very common problem which once identified can be overcome.
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Additional suggestions for specific types of exams
Exams with multiple choice questions
Requirements
These exams require you to demonstrate knowledge and command of the content. You need to be able to recall and apply knowledge quickly. Good question analysis skills are essential.
Preparation
- use your lecture and tutorial outline to identify the main themes
within the course
- ensure that your notes are complete and well organised into key
topics
- memorise the key terms, theories, and applications well enough to respond accurately to a lot of questions
quickly
- practise responding to the types of questions in your exam and
check that your answers address each question fully
- practise to time.
Taking the exam
- predict the answer before reading the choices provided. Select this answer if present.
- read all the options for each question.
- do the questions that you feel confident about first.
- mark those you need to reconsider.
- carefully read the statement that you are given. Statements containing absolutes (words such as all, every, never, no) which restrict the possibilities are less likely to be correct. Statements with more moderate words such as generally, most, least may be more likely to be correct.
- eliminate the obviously wrong choices first.
- watch out for extra-long or complicated options: they may be wrong.
- if some of the answers contain unfamiliar words don’t panic. They are probably incorrect choices.
- try to answer all questions. A calculated guess is better than no response.
Exams with short answer questions
Requirements
These exams include a large number of questions requiring answers of up to a paragraph. The
kind of questions may vary: some questions may test memory work; others may test your ability to apply concepts. Good question analysis skills are essential.
Preparation
- follow the advice above for multiple choice question answers.
- practice with the variety of questions/problems that may be presented.
- check your responses, perhaps with another student, to ensure that you answer the set question completely rather than react to key words
to produce an irrelevant response.
Taking the exam
- determine where the marks are allocated so that you divide your time and energy according to the marks rather than writing a lot on
some questions and nothing on others.
- if a paragraph or sentence is required try to write in full sentences rather than notes or dot points.
- if time is an issue make sure you cover questions in your areas of strength.
- plan to allow time for checking your answers.
Essay exams
Requirements
These exams require you to demonstrate your analytical skills, to recall and apply knowledge in specific ways. You should demonstrate how various theorists have contributed to the area of knowledge.
Preparation
- use your lecture and tutorial outlines to identify the main themes within the course.
- ensure that your lecture and research notes are complete, thorough and well organised into key topics.
- develop sets of likely questions within each topic.
- focus on your areas of strength and interest.
- identify important references for various topics and work out how and where you might use them.
- practise writing to the time limit you will have in the exam.
Taking the exam
- consider the questions you plan to answer. Don’t be too quick to discard questions: think about the topics you are best
able to answer.
- analyse each question well so that you write on the topic.
- draft an essay plan for each selected question at the beginning of the exam.
- include in each plan the main points you will make in the introduction, the
body and the conclusion.
- as you write your answers watch the time so that you keep to schedule.
- use any extra time to review and edit your answers.
- if you seem to be running out of time write down your ideas as notes or dot points so the marker can see that you were able to answer the question.
Take home exams
Requirements
These exams have a similar format and expectations to essay exams except that you do the exam at home. It may be distributed a short time before the date of submission e.g. within 24 hours.
Preparation
- follow the advice above for essay exams.
- organise your reference materials and notes for easy and effective use.
Taking the exam
- establish a good setting for doing your exam: easy access to your materials, suitable conditions.
- follow the advice for ‘essay exams’ that will apply here.
- edit your work to ensure the quality of your responses.
Seen or open question exams
Requirements
These exams require you to write a number of essays under exam conditions. Generally the questions are distributed some time before the exam and you have time to prepare responses. There is likely to be an expectation that the quality of the essays will be better than in an unseen exam.
Preparation
- apply the advice for essay exams.
- develop detailed essay plans for a number of the given questions in each topic.
- remember that not all questions will appear in the exam.
Taking the exam
- as this is a variation on the essay exam the strategies suggested above also apply here.
- focus on writing to time and writing well.
- allow time for proof-reading and editing to ensure the quality of the essays.
Open book exams
Requirements
These exams have a similar format and expectations to essay exams. They are different in that you are allowed to bring and use reference materials in the exam room. The focus of the exam includes on you use knowledge as well as what you have learned.
Preparation
- apply the relevant advice for essay exams.
- prepare your resources so you can access any references immediately without wasting time e.g. use post-it flags to refer to key pages.
- write a summary or overview sheet with the most important information or page references on it.
- re-do given exercises and problems and add comments as necessary.
Taking the exam
- as this is a variation on the essay exam the strategies suggested above also apply here.
- allow time for using the resources you have brought into the exam.
- when editing, check each of your responses to ensure that you have made best use of your resources.
Oral exams
Requirements
These performance-based exams require you to demonstrate your oral language skills, often on a theme or topic, sometimes to a stranger.
To do well in oral exams you also need to have good listening skills.
Preparation
- work on developing good listening skills as part of your preparation for this exam.
- identify key skills.
- revise the vocabulary, grammar, structures and themes covered throughout the study period and
practise using them appropriately.
- practice speaking aloud - if possible with another person. This will help you in the area of pronunciation and make you feel more comfortable and confident when using the vocabulary and structures.
- make extensive use of language laboratory facilities.
Taking the exam
- try to remain calm throughout the exam.
- if you do not understand what is being asked, do not be afraid to ask for the question to be repeated or reworded.
- if you forget a word, try to explain what you want to say in a different way.
Practical exams
Requirements
These performance-based exams require you to demonstrate your skills and knowledge in a practical or field setting.
Usually the tasks you are asked to perform are straightforward. You will perform well in a practical exam if you report your methodology and observations accurately.
Preparation
- identify the key procedures performed during the practical classes, write down summaries of the methods, and make sure you are able to repeat them.
- ensure that you understand the theory of the course and its different applications.
- rehearse your skills.
- find out as much as you can about the setting for the exam, and plan responses for
possible questions or tasks.
Taking the exam
- remain calm and confident that you have the necessary skills.
- use the reading time to plan an efficient schedule for completing the tasks required.
- be sure to schedule some exam time to answer the questions asked, especially the method used and observations.
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Sources
Burdess, N 1991, The handbook of student skills, Prentice Hall, Australia.
Marshall, L 1999, A learning companion. Your guide to practising independent learning, Murdoch University, Australia.
Northedge, A 1995, The good study guide, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK.
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