Exam Preparation

Exam Preparation is very important. Listed below is a general plan for exam writing. It is also important to check out common exam mistakes. In addition, there are different kinds of exams; you should try to develop an approach to Multiple Choice Exams and learn to evaluate Practice Essay Problems .

A General Plan for Exams

  1. Check List
    1. Main points
    2. Any known "blind spots"
    3. 1/2 - 1 page before reading the exam questions.

  2. Timing
    1. Use suggested time or number of points to calculate time allocations.
    2. Write ending time by each question. (example: 10:26)
    3. Use 1/3-1/2 time to deconstruct question, brainstorm, and plan answer.
    4. When time is up: Be ruthless - STOP and move to the next question.

  3. Reading the question
    1. Read "call to question" first - (before reading the full question)
    2. Read the full question for the purpose of understanding the story level of the hypothetical. Diagram or sketch the fact pattern to clarify the alignment of parties and interests.
    3. Read call to question again to be sure you know what you are being asked to answer.
    4. Look at the question for a second time, searching for ambiguities and issues that relate to the call of the question. Consult checklist.
    5. Read call to question literally. What specifically do you need to answer?
    6. Examine the question from a "big picture" perspective. What kinds of analysis must happen to "advise your client" or answer the intention of the question. What are the possibilities you see?
    7. Use your checklist to help you look for other issues that could or should be in this question as you read it for the third time.
    8. Ask yourself about each fact: "Why is my professor telling me this? How does this contribute to or alter my analysis of what I have been asked to do?

  4. Preparing to answer the question
    1. Use of your time to plan an answer for a question with unlimited space for writing, but for space limited answers, plan more carefully using up to ½ of your time.
    2. Prepare an event diagram.
    3. Create an issue and fact outline or sketch.

  5. Writing an answer
    1. Use paragraphs.
    2. Skip lines, if possible.
    3. Follow your plan or outline
      1. For better organization
      2. Because it decreases skipping or missing important points
    4. Use terminology of course being examined.
    5. Be direct

  6. Following exams
    1. Don't talk over the exam with other students
    2. Watch a good movie to take your mind off of the hypothetical stories in the exam.

 

© Martha M. Peters, Ph.D. 1999.