Exam Skills

orna.farrell@dbs.ie

Practical information

Exam timetable   http://www.dbs-students.com/Timetables/Exams.aspx Exam regulations http://www.dbs-students.com/Exams/Default.aspx Past exam papers (on moodle) http://student.dbs.edu/course/category.php?id=50   

Common questions about exams ?????

How long are the exams?

 How many questions do you have to answer?   How are the marks divided?

Can you repeat the exam?   

    

Common questions about exams ?????

Do you have to pass the exam to pass the module?   What format are the exam questions?   Do you have to reference in an exam?

Other questions?????????????????????   

What affects exam success?

 • Subject knowledge • Your exam history • Exam preparation• Exam practice• Experience of the

subject• Writing skills• Use of time• Attitude and

approach

 

Knowing your subject well......

The better you know your subject the easier it is to:

• Recognize what is significant....therefore understanding what must be included and what can be left out 

• Identify links and connections between different aspects of the subject

 •  Recognize which schools of thought are relevant to

which exam questions • Background reading is key. Your reading will be

evident in the examples and details in your answers

  

Exam preparation

" It is extremely unlikely that you can go into an exam and do well without preparation, even if you have worked hard during the course" (Cottrell 2007) Why?because exams are not just about understanding information but about showing & presenting:• Specific aspects of what you know• In particular ways such as essay or short answer• At speed• From memory

   

Exam Practice

"One of the best ways of preparing for any event is to practice in conditions as near to the real event as possible"

• Practice old exam questions• Work under time pressure• Check your answers after• Learn to work quickly in planning, writing and

checking answers• Set up your own mock exam conditions

Writing skills......yes they matter!

For all written exams, exam success is affected by:

Style: clear, easy to read writing style Vocabulary: demonstrate your knowledge of subject specific vocabulary in your answers Organization:   Well structured answers that have an introduction, paragraphs and a conclusion

Evidence: Support your points with definitions, examples, theory and quotes

 

Use of time

Before• timetable your study• take breaks

 In the exam• 2 hours.....120 minutes

 • 3 questions

 •  35 minutes per

question  • 15 minutes to check

your answers

0 hours

1 hour

2 hours0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Patterns of Recall

4 short breaksno breaksno breaks & study >2 hours

Am

ount

reca

lled

Attitude and approach

Our cognitive activity to think clearly and logically, is affected by factors such as:

• how calm we are feeling• level of interest in material• Distractions• Self understanding

Take ControlSet exam and study goals• Specific• Measurable• Attainable• Realistic• Timely

Study Techniques A 5 Step Approach

Step 1

• Review lecture notes Theory + attending fact/example

• Examine course outline

Study Techniques

Step 2 • Highlight additional key points from

core text • choose 2/3 critical arguments from

authors: ‘flesh out’ lecture notes into an argument based on knowledge and critical awareness

Step 3• Store composite notes in a systematic

manner

Study Techniques

Step 4• Use text reduction

methods to simplify material

• mind-maps• Spicy nodes

Study Techniques

Step 5• Familiarise yourself with all aspects of the

exam papers• Format, marking scheme, language,

terminology, question styles

Characteristics of good exam essays

• Answers the precise question set• Clear argument/perspective• Critical and analytical• Structured with good paragraphing• Provides reasons based on evidence• Refers to theories• Is selective• Clear and to the point writing style• Has been proof-read

Common irritations for examiners

• Answers wrongly numbered• Unclear which question student is answering• Poor handwriting• Long waffley paragraphs• Unclear & disorganised layout

Further reading

• Northedge, A. (2008) The Good Study Guide. OU Press.

• Buzan, T. (2007) The Buzan Study Skills Handbook. BBC

• Cottrell, S.(2007) The Exam Skills Handbook. Palgrave.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlabrWv25qQ

• www.skills4study.com