Writing Essays in Exam Conditions Louise Livesey Academic Skills Adviser This workshop will… - Introduce you to common examination formats - Offer a model for managing the time allocated for the exam on the day - Provide tips on essay-writing techniques during an exam 17/12/15Academic Skills Advice1

The Plan… 1. Various examination formats 2. Self-assessment of your examination skills 3. Settling in 4. The Meek technique 5. Answering the questions 6. Managing your time in exams 7. Techniques and tips for examinations 17/12/15Academic Skills Advice2

Multiple-choice: You method as stated; first answer those you know; reject incorrect answers; answer all ?s; negative marking Technical: Pay attention to details; sharpen pencils and use correct tools; write key headings; show your method Short answer: Be clear; be succinct 1.Various examination formats 17/12/15Academic Skills Advice3

Activity 1: Complete the self-assessment If you answered ‘no’ to any of the above, go through the relevant sections of this handbook in your own time and work out what you need to practise. 2.Self-assessment of your exam skills 17/12/15Academic Skills Advice4

This too shall pass 3.Settling in 17/12/15Academic Skills Advice5

4.The Meek technique 17/12/15Academic Skills Advice6

4.The Meek technique 17/12/15Academic Skills Advice7

4.The Meek technique 17/12/15Academic Skills Advice8

4.The Meek technique 17/12/15Academic Skills Advice9 Activity 2: Your subject Watch the film

4.The Meek technique 17/12/15Academic Skills Advice10

Activity 3: Command words DescriptiveCritically Analytic  Classify  Define  Demonstrate  Describe  Explain  Illustrate  Identify  Outline  Show how  State  Summarise  Trace  Account for  Analyse  Comment on  Compare and contrast  Consider  Criticise  Discuss  Distinguish between  Evaluate  Examine  Explore  Interpret  Justify 17/12/15Academic Skills Advice11 5.Answering the questions

Everything must be relevant Critical analysis Mind map Rule of 3 Don’t be clever Reference Edit and proofread 5.Answering the questions 17/12/15Academic Skills Advice12

Keep an eye on the clock Choose questions you will finish Start writing asap Little time left: − do first halves − bullet points − explain calculations − refer to mind map 17/12/15Academic Skills Advice13 6.Managing your time in exams

Check number of questions needed Use your first pages as your mind maps pages Write on every other line Write on every second page Take in coloured pens Take in water Check the back of the paper Provide answers to gain maximum points Do not panic if time is short Never leave an exam early 7.Techniques and tips for examinations 17/12/15Academic Skills Advice14

Camilla Training Aspects Ltd. (2015) Dumper and dump truck. Cardenden: Camilla Training Aspects Ltd. Accessed 20 August Cottrell, S. (2003) The study skills handbook. 2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan Ltd. Cottrell, S. (2007) The exam skills handbook. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan Ltd. Cyzewski, E. (2015) Boundary value analysis in software testing. Columbus. Accessed 20 August Palgrave Study Skills. (2014) Exam techniques. Basingstoke: Macmillan Publishers Ltd. Accessed 18 March Pearce, D. (2014) Exam techniques, tips and tricks. York: University of York. users.york.ac.uk/~dajp1/Exam_Hints/Exams.html Accessed 18 March Tingo. (2015) Keep calm and answer the question. teaching-the-writing-process.html Accessed 20 August teaching-the-writing-process.html References 17/12/15Academic Skills Advice15

Academic Skills Advice Service Where are we? Chesham Building B0.23. Give us a call or come speak to us via B0.23 Who am I? Louise, the dedicated workshop adviser. Who can help me with study and writing skills? Lucy and Russell run Instant Study Skills Advice sessions every weekday 10-4 and Writing Skills Clinics three times a week. You can also access self-help resources on our Who can give me maths advice? Helen and Michael specialise in Maths support for students though clinics and pre-booked appointment. How do I get in touch? academic- Telephone: academic- 23/12/15Academic Skills Advice16

Any questions? 17/12/15Academic Skills Advice17