English Exam TechniqueBrianna Chadwick

Exam Technique Please take notes on the KEY points only

on each slide – this is important!

Exam Technique

TimingYou need to think carefully about how

much time to allocate to each section of the exam and be sure to stick to it!

Timing

There are 3 sections in the exam – each is worth the same amount of marks – ideally this means your time should be divided equally between the three sections however you should know by now how much time it takes you to complete each type of piece- you may find you can write a language analysis relatively quickly but need longer to create your context piece.

This is why completing as many practice exams as possible UNDER EXAM CONDITIONS is important in determining how you should divide your time in the real exam.

Timing Allow 5-6 minutes for planning each

piece of writing Plan to finish 5 minutes before it is time

to commence the next piece...this will allow 5 minutes for proof reading if you have not run over your intended time.

this will leave approx 50 minutes writing time.

Pre – exam planning Many of the decisions you make in the

exam room have the potential to be flawed because of the amount of brain power you are using to actually write. –

Because of this make as many decisions about the way you are going to tackle the exam before the exam day.

Pre – Exam planning So this means you must decide on the

order in which you are going to do the sections

i.E – will I do Language Analysis first or Context?

You MUST make your decisions before the day and you MUST stick to those decisions when you are in the exam!

Don’t change your mind during the exam as the chances are you will make a poor decision and regret it later!

Rotten Question or Prompt? If you get a rotten question or prompt

you must stay calm. Do not panic. You must keep your nerve in order to perform.

A rotten question or prompt is not the end of the world! ...remember that everybody else is in the same boat, it is not just you and the score you receive will reflect that!

Choosing an essay question or promptNever choose an essay question or

prompt unless you have read AND UNDERSTOOD them both!

A good tip! When you have chosen your essay

question or prompt etc....always write the question or prompt at the top of the page.

This is essential because when you are in the process of choosing a question / prompt you will have 2 questions/prompts in your mind. Writing the question/prompt at the top of the page will clarify your choice and enable you to see the one you have chosen easily

Remember – RTFQ ! Read the Question- This seems like a no brainer

but you would be surprised how many students (and this comes straight from the examiners report) only read or respond to part of the question and as a result can only get a maximum of 5/10.

This is where the skills in deconstructing the question is essential- remember: (kiss-u)

K- ey words S- ynonyms U-nderlying assumptions- what is the question

REALLY asking of you.

Should I prepare a back up question/text? (for Cosi/A Christmas Carol)

The short answer is no!

It is strongly recommended that you choose ONE text and revise that text thoroughly. In preparing for both you essentially dilute your knowledge of each and in the end this will result in a less than complex response regardless of which text you use.

Remember decisions made in the exam room are usually poor decisions as they are made under pressure!

Reading and Responding... Between now and the exam you should

re-read this text . Once you have re-read the text for the

second time you should take 2-3 pages of notes in order to consolidate your understanding of the text.

This will also provide you with a tool to assist you revise in the days before the exam.

Cosi / A Christmas Carol notes... You need to take notes on the following : Characters Key issues & themes the text deals with Messages associated with ach issue and

theme Symbols and motifsRead these notes carefully in the lead up

to the exam.

Reading and Responding ... How do I revise in the lead up to the

exam?- Revise by using your notes.- Complete as many practice essay plans

to A Christmas Carol/Cosi questions as you can.

Context preparation... By now you should have decided which text will

be your primary text (either Paradise Road or The Quiet American- preferably both) – you may refer to both.

Re – read this text. Generate some notes containing your “big ideas”

about conflict . Decide which form your writing will take in the

exam Complete some practice plans/pieces using

various prompts.

Context preparation... Make sure that your work directly

connects with your nominated primary text/s!

Language Analysis Revision Revise the key persuasive devices Read and annotate some persuasive

texts from Echo online Echo -username: wonthaggiPassword: mcbride Complete some practice plans – and

some practice essays.

A Warning! This is a high pressure exam.

As a result you will most likely come out of it feeling as if you have not done as well as you liked. This is normal. Everyone will probably feel this way. You have not necessarily performed poorly.

It is crucial that you do not allow this feeling of disappointment to in any way affect your performance in your other exams.

Stressing yourself out will stop you thinking clearly…

Finally… The examiners always read

your exam as if it is a first draft- they do not expect a perfectly polished piece so don’t come out of it and think of all the things you would change if you could do it again- they know the pressure you are under and it is taken into account in the assessment… lastly…

What If I need Help? If you need help outside of class time feel free to

come and see me between now and the exam! Please email me to arrange a time (I will still be

teaching other classes)

chadwick.brianna.k@edumail.vic.gov.auMonday unit 4Tuesday unit 1Wednesday unit 4Thursday unit 1 & 2Friday unit 1