A key aspect of exam preparation includes practising both short answers and essay-style questions each of which requires a different set of skills.
The main exam season is now in full swing and this requires careful revision planning, ideally including the use of practice papers to get used to having to complete both short answer and essay-style questions. Some students use essay writer help while preparing for exams. To get the best possible grade it is crucial to be proficient in these areas.
Short Answer Question in Exams
Short answer questions are always worth considerably less in terms of marks than longer essay-style questions. This is why it is so crucial to get into the habit of not spending too much time making a long, detailed answer only to end up with less time for the more important essay or extended writing questions which account for a large percentage of the overall grade. It is often the case that all that is necessary to get the marks allocated to a short answer question is simply giving a few key phrases.
Many examiners use short answer questions to introduce key themes so it is well worth identifying any connections early on to save time. Also, take note of the number of marks (if identified) allocated for each question and structure one's answer accordingly.
Essay Answers in Exams
The rest of the exam will typically involve answering either essay-style questions requiring one to use key extended writing skills. As these questions have the highest marks attached to them, it is important to structure answers carefully and take some time to brainstorm about key themes or issues which will be necessary to answer in detail. A practical method of preparing to answer essay questions is to use a spider diagram which involves drawing a circle with a keyword and lines coming off it in all directions at the end of which themes linked to the keyword may be recorded.
Planning is crucial to achieving the best marks possible; if managed effectively it will ensure that there is no repetition of points and that every relevant nugget of information is covered within the answer. A practical way of making sure every point is included is to cross off each point after it is added to the essay.
Simple Ways to Improve Exam Grades
There are a few simple ways to ensure the best possible grade is achieved in an exam including time management skills, writing good conclusions, using key terminology, and identifying theory sources. Time management skills are vital to performing well as spending too long on short answer questions will result in insufficient time to answer essay questions that offer the most marks. Set strict time limits to ensure vital questions are not missed. Conclusions including key phrases can also boost grades and identifying theory sources shows one has more knowledge on the subject being examined.
As highlighted above, the ability to answer different forms of exam questions effectively will have a significant impact on the overall grade. One of the most important skills required to achieve optimal results is that of time management as running out of time will result in the loss of crucial marks.
By Diane H Wong
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