Writing Phase
Read the questions
When the exam starts, carefully read the questions. Think about what the focus of the question is and if there are any terms you need to define or distinguish between first. Pay attention to the depth of the question. Some questions are shallower and ask for definitions, but others will require you to evaluate or compare/contrast. Certain keywords in the question will give away the expected depth. Verbs like ‘Discuss’, ‘Evaluate’, ‘Explain’ usually afford more depth and elaboration than ‘Define’ or ‘List’.
Plan your answers
For essay answers, make a short outline of your answer. This will be your ‘plan of attack’. Note down how you plan to start your answer, how many paragraphs you will be writing, and what each paragraph will be about. Note down key points for each paragraph and compare this outline with what the question asks you to do.
Answer the question (essay)
This should go without saying, but every year we see answers that are well written, but that do not actually answer the question asked. So, keep your answer focused and relevant to what the question asks. Stay on topic and do not divert to concepts that are irrelevant to the question. Think about the most logical order for your arguments in your answer to increase the flow of it. When raising arguments or making points, try to do this in an evidence-based way by connecting this to concepts, theories, and findings that were discussed in class. To gauge if your answer is an answer to the question, I recommend using the ‘Guess-The-Question’ exercise. Imagine someone read your answer without knowing the question, would they be able to guess the question?
Answer the question (MCQ)
When you read a multiple-choice question (MCQ), try to come up with the answer before looking at the alternatives. This can make it easier to spot the correct answer among the incorrect alternatives. One approach is to answer the questions you feel most confident with first and then tackle the more challenging ones. For the more difficult ones, try these steps:
Eliminate answer alternatives that are least likely to be correct.
For the remaining alternatives do the True/False test: For each alternative try to decide if the alternative by itself is likely to be true or false. Then chose the true alternative that aligns best with the question.
If you still cannot infer the answer, take a guess, but only do this if you don’t receive penalty points for wrong responses. So, check your exam rules first. Guessing is only an option if it doesn’t come with negative consequences. If you don’t get points deducted for wrong MCQ answers, definitely guess and don’t leave any questions unanswered.
Plan your time
Most exams will have to be completed within a set time. So, keep an eye on the clock and plan for buffers throughout. Your total exam time is a combination of reading, planning, answering, and final checks, but I would also always add a buffer in there in case you get stuck (see tips below) or just for some time to pause and think. Here is a rough plan for a 1-hour essay exam answer for a scenario in which you are given several essay questions and you pick one to answer: 3 minutes to read all questions and select which question to answer, 5 minutes to make an outline and plan your answer, 40 minutes exam answer writing, 8 minutes for final checks and tweaks, and 4 minutes buffer. This is just an example, and you can tweak this accordingly.
If you get stuck
This can happen and is it does try to follow the following steps.
If you are well enough to attempt recall from memory: Sit back, breathe, close your eyes, and try to remember. Shutting out any distractions by closing your eyes can be helpful in remembering things you have learned (1). Try to recall your notes on the topic or the materials you have read. You can also try to put yourself back in your study space to cue your memory.
If you feel too overwhelmed to attempt memory recall, do this box breathing exercise first:
a. Sit back and close your eyes.
b. Breathe in for 4 counts through your nose.
c. Hold your breath for 4 counts.
d. Breathe out for 6 counts through your mouth.
e. Repeat 2-3 times.
Afterwards, try step 1.
