Writing tests

When you get your test paper, make sure that it is the right one – it should have the course name and code on the front cover – and then read the instructions very carefully. This is probably the most important piece of advice you will get about exams:

                         READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY!

If there is any confusion, or if there is something you don't understand about the instruction, ask the

invigilator to explain. There will always be someone from your department in the exam room at the

beginning of the test. This person is there to answer questions, so don't hesitate to ask.

When the invigilator officially starts the test, you should flip through the whole paper and choose the

questions you will answer, in accordance with the instructions. Decide on how you are going to divide

up your time. If you have to deal with three sections of equal weight, and the test is three hours long,

you should plan to spend an hour on each section. Be strict with yourself throughout the test and stick

to the times you have allowed for each section or question.

Answering the first two sections very well will not make up for leaving out the third section altogether. If you feel that you probably can't do the third section very well, you should at least spend enough time on it to get the maximum marks you can for it.

If you have time left after doing the best on that session, you can always go back to the first two

sections to improve your answers there. Remember that your marker knows that your answers have

been produced under exam conditions, and won't expect you to include every possible thing. It is not always best to answer the questions in the order in which they appear on the paper. You can choose to start with any questions, as long as you

You should be prepared for the different types of exam questions.

Number them all correctly. It is often a good idea to begin with the question that you feel you can answer best. This will make you feel confident about your knowledge and may help you to answer the next question well, too. Before handing in your paper, check that your questions are properly numbered.

Essay type questions

These should be treated in a similar way to essays that are written during the term. Of course the big difference is time, but otherwise the same steps should be followed:

Analyse the essay title. What is the focus of the question, and what are the action words? Keep the title

in mind as you plan and write, as going off the topic will lose marks.

Plan. You might think that this is a waste of time in an exam, but, in fact, it could save you time as you

won't get stuck halfway through the essay, wondering how to proceed.

Write the essay, keeping to your plan. If you are writing an 'open book' exam, observe all the usual

rules for referencing and quoting. Plagiarism is as serious an offence in an open book exam as it is in

an assignment during the term.

Watch the time carefully, and don't get carried away with one essay if it means neglecting other questions

Multiple choice questions

These are very often included in exams. Although they look as if they should be quick, they often require careful thought, and sometimes you have to go through the process of eliminating the impossible or obviously wrong answers before choosing between two that look similar.

Short questions

These are so called because they require answers that are shorter than essays. You do not need to do the kind of planning for them that you would do for an essay, but you do need to write short paragraphs which require some degree of thought. You should always be aware of the number of marks allotted to a short question so that you can give it the right amount of time. A question asking you to list six properties of something, for 3 marks, should obviously take less time than one asking for a paragraph on the advantages and disadvantages of something, for 8 marks.

GOOD LUCK FOR THE COMING TESTS!