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FROM THE EDITOR
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Index
FEATURE
Know
your rights - and your lefts
COLUMNS
 Focus
on Study Skills:
Introduction
Revision and
examination skills
Revising for an exam
Types of exam questions
New
word of the month
New words in fashion
Games
Common words with multiple
meanings
Crossword
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by Dr
June Hassall
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Revise effectively
• Answering multiple-choice
questions
• Answering structured
questions
• Answering essay questions
• Close to the examination
• In the examination
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Know your course. Make a list of the
topics that you have to learn. |
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Make a revision timetable. Write down
when you will revise each topic. Leave the week before your exam free
for lastminute revision. |
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Make revision blocks short. Short blocks
of 30 minutes, with a 5-minute break, are better than long ones. |
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Make your revision active. For example: |
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use a highlighter pen to mark important
words in your notes |
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write out summaries of your notes |
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write the important words from your notes
and then try to fill in the details |
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draw and label diagrams, then check them
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try to repeat your notes from memory.
Cover over a small part, then try and write or say it |
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ask someone to test you by asking questions
on the topic that you have done |
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answer practice questions |
| • |
Learn from your mistakes. Check the
answers to questions, and if you made mistakes try to think where
you went wrong, and learn from it. |
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Know the format. Multiple-choice questions usually
have an incomplete statement (stem) followed by four possible answers
from which you have to choose the best one. |
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Using an answer sheet. For each question there will
be four blank areas labelled A, B, C, and D. You have to blacken the
letter that is the same as the answer that you think is correct. Use
a pencil for this, in case you want to change it. |
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Don't just guess. If you are not sure of the right
answer, don't just guess. First cross off the options that you know
are wrong. Then choose between those that are left. |
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Do answer every question. Each question is worth
one mark, and should only take a minute. |
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Making corrections. If want to change an answer,
rub out the first one very carefully before marking the new one. |
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Know the format. A structured question is divided
into several numbered parts. |
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Writing your answers. The question has lines on which
you write your answers. The number of marks for each part of the question
is usually listed. As a guide, make one point or write one sentence
for each mark available. |
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Getting help. If you are not sure of an answer, first
read carefully all parts of the question. Check that you are clear
where to write each part of the answer, and don't repeat yourself.
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Use the space. If you don't have enough to write
in the space, check that you have understood the question. Also don't
try and write more than can easily fit each space. |
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Answer all parts. You must answer each part of the
question in the correct place. If not, you won't get the marks. |
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Leave extra time for difficult questions, such as
those involving graphs. |
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Know the format. An essay question is usually divided
into only a few parts. Each part has more marks than for a structured
question. |
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Choosing questions. You usually have a choice of
questions. Spend time on this so that you make wise choices. Select
questions on which you can answer most of the parts. |
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Divide your time. Be very careful to allow time for
answering all the questions that you are required to do. If you miss
out an entire question you will lose a lot of marks. |
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Answer the question. Don't just write down everything
you know about a topic. Make sure that you answer the exact question
that is asked. |
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Be careful. Check especially for either . . .
or, and not or and. Don't waste time if all you
are asked for is a list. But don't leave out the explanation if you
are asked to explain. |
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Check if diagrams are needed. If they are needed,
you'll lose marks if you don't do them. |
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Plan your answer. Note down the main points before
you write your answer. |
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If you are short of time at the end. A well-drawn
and labelled diagram is a quick way to record information and will
gain you marks. |
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The last week. This is the time to skim through your
revision notes and answer exam questions. You can also check previous
years' papers to find the topics that are most often tested. |
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The night before. Put together your pencils, pens,
eraser, etc. Do not cram new information. Have a good night's
sleep. |
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Read all the instructions very carefully.
Make sure you notice: |
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questions that are compulsory. You have
to do these to get the marks. |
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questions on which you have a choice.
Make sure that you answer the correct number of these, and from the
correct sections. |
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Divide up your time. Spend
roughly one minute for each mark. For example: |
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spend no more than one minute for each
multiple-choice item |
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for longer questions, divide your time.
Don't spend so long over one or two questions that you run
out of time and cannot answer the others. |
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Leave time for checking.
Read through your answers and make corrections. |
Good luck in your exams!
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