Getting it right: Useful Tips in Answering Exams
Wondering how to help students better answer exam questions, without giving them the actual answers?
One trick is helping them know the types of exams.
For high school, exam questions are either true or false, multiple choice or essay type.
Of course, it is important to prepare for the exam. But while reviewing the topics to be covered and remembering the vital points in chapters are useful, for the real thing (answering the actual test), help your students to remember the following points:
True or false
Pay close attention to negatives, absolutes, long strings of statements. In the case of negatives, drop the “no, not, cannot” and read what remains before deciding whether the statement is true or false.
Often, true or false exams contain more true answers than false answers. There is more than a 50% chance that the answer is true, but it still depends on the teacher who prepared the exam. Review past tests for patterns.
Multiple choice
- Read instructions carefully.
- Answer the easiest questions first, then go back a second time to answer the more difficult questions. Pick up clues from the first reading that can help answer the other questions.
- Eliminate what are perceived to be incorrect options and go for the most “true” among them. Think twice about options that don’t fit with the main statement, that are unfamiliar, or that have negative or absolute words.
- If there are two to three perceived correct options, the “all of the above” answer is a big possibility.
Open notes
- Update readings and assignments in class, and familiarize yourself with the textbook and source materials’ layouts.
- Write short summaries for each concept, and do not overanswer or overquote.
- Manage time well by reviewing the number of questions and noting how much time each would take. Answer the easy questions first.
Oral exam
- Dress appropriately, arrive on time and keep good posture.
- Avoid distractions and focus all attention on the teacher and his or her questions.
- Avoid rambling if the answer is not known; just state it directly. Then outline how the problem can be solved or the method to be employed to answer it.
- Stress the positive and not the negative, and use two or three key points to further demonstrate what has been learned.
Essay
- Set a time limit for each question. If the time for one question is already over, move on and go back to answering it during the review time. Six incomplete answers usually get more points than three complete ones.
- Read the question carefully, and take note of what is being asked. Learn more about the different essay terms.
- State the main point in the first few sentences. Then support it with specific examples, information and quotes from the notes. Be organized, concise, and complete in the answers.
- If asked to identify, give direct answers. If asked to explain, give fully thought out and demonstrated answers. If asked to compare, emphasize similarities, differences and connections. If asked to argue, take a position and defend that position. Lastly, if asked to assess, answer the questions “to what extent?” and “how well?”
With these reminders from the teacher, students can find answering exams much easier, and refrain from cheating.
Sources:
“Doing well on Essay Exams.” Retrieved February 28, 2008 from http://www.yorku.ca/cdc/lsp/eponline/exam5.htm
“Essay.” Retrieved February 28, 2008 from http://www.studygs.net/tsttak4.htm
“Multiple choice.” Retrieved February 28, 2008 from http://www.studygs.net/tsttak3.htm
“Open notes.” Retrieved February 28, 2008 from http://www.studygs.net/tsttak7.htm
“Oral exams.” Retrieved February 28, 2008 from http://www.studygs.net/oralexams.htm
“True or false.” Retrieved February 28, 2008 from http://www.studygs.net/tsttak2.htm
(Published 17 March 2008, Smart Schools Program)
