Exam Technique PDF

Exam Technique  Read the Question Always read the question carefully – don’t rush in and Practical Tip answer the question straight away. Highlight the key words of a Think about what the question during question is asking and...

Exam Technique  Read the Question Always read the question carefully – don’t rush in and Practical Tip answer the question straight away. Highlight the key words of a Think about what the question during question is asking and the exam. what information it is looking for. Use the marks as a hint of how detailed it needs to be.  Read the Question What does that word mean? Descr ibe ain Write Calculate Expl rs a de a t cove covers tailed r th alk answe d answe ppens. T happe what happe r tha t Work out a number. i le a t: ns, an ns, w a deta t hing h o ns. (H i n Talk d where h e n it You can Write y a rea s it hap use your nd wh s and ). about p e ns. calculator to how a h a n is m s cr ibe” charac teristic facts help you. c e t me ith “d confus s. and You may n eed to use abou s e w e with (Hint: confu “expla don’t an equation don’t in”).. Evaluate You will be given som Compare e facts, data, or other kind of informat ion. Write about and the data or facts and rities provide your own a b o ut the simila Write s. conclusion or opinion on them. e s b e tw e e n two thing differenc Suggest Predict Justify or Think about what you’ve Look at som e data and dence learnt and apply it to a new realistic valu suggest a e vi e or outcom some ation e. You may Give n an explan situation or context. Use use a calcu lator to help write d ow why. Don’t gues e ex a miner what you have learnt to look at tren ds in the da s– th ta and use y to tell answer. suggest sensible answers to knowledge of science. our ve a n (H you ga the question. confuse wit int: don’t h “calculat e” or “estimate  Read the Question Example ALWAYS read information This information is given to HELP you answer the More before the question. information – the question is 3 question. marks and there are 3 points. HINT!!!! A layer of fat helps insulate the penguin. A streamlined body helps reduce water resistance so the penguin can swim faster. Oily feathers prevent cold reaching the  Read the Question Example HINT - this is what the question is about, convection. Use this to your advanta ge –. sentence starters directs your response.  Be Flexible Read the whole paper first. Don’t rush straight into answering questions – take your time and read the whole paper first. This will help you manage your time in the exam better. It also prevents any nasty surprises of unexpected tough questions near the end! Be Flexible Change the order. Answers the questions in any order you like – you don’t need to go start to finish. Answers easy questions first to secure marks and build your confidence. Come back to hard questions last – you have at least secured a decent grade and know how much time you  Be Flexible If you’re stuck…. Move on! The worse thing you can do is stay on a question you are stuck on!! Don’t get frustrated. Don’t be afraid to leave a question to come back to. MOVE ON and secure yourself some more marks on questions you  Use the Marks Every question is worth a certain amount of marks. Use the amount of marks to determine the amount of detail needed in a question. Think of it – for every 1 mark given, you need to make one clear and concise statement.  Use the Marks Basic example. The answers you need to use are provided here!. 3 marks for 3 words in the correct place – simple!  Use the Marks Medium example – 3/4 marks. Explain = detailed answer that explain why. Bullet point if you need to clearly see the points you make.. Reaching for food led to more use of the neck. More use led to an increased length of the neck (characteristic) This characteristic was passed on to 3 marks on a written offspring question = 3 written statements / points.  Use the Marks Challenging example – 6 mark question. Quality of written communication is the only question that needs full sentences and correct grammar.. Describe = write a detailed answer of the steps in a vaccinatio n.  Show Calculations Some questions in the exam might ask you to calculate a percentage (e.g. energy efficiency). ALWAYS show your working. Then… even if you get the answer wrong and your working correct, you will still get a mark! Question Wording Exams can word questions in complicated ways – it is testing your ability to understand what they are asking. Complicated question often have simple answers – go with your first answer, if you keep going back and forth, you will start doubting yourself.  General Tips Always use key words where appropriate. Short and simple answers are much better than long waffling answers. Unless it is a quality of written communication answer (QWC), use bullet points for your answers.  Check Your Work Re - read your answers when you have finished. Never leave a question blank – it is always worth taking a guess if you don’t know. A final look through your exam is the perfect time to check for any errors or add any extra information you may have remembered.