Exam preparation ©The Learning Quality Support Unit, 2013

Contents SQP4 (Survey, Question, Predict, Plan, Prepare and Practise) Tips for what to do before, during and after the exam Essay type exams Case studies Multiple-choice exams Final points to remember

Survey, Question and Predict Survey Aims and learning outcomes Question Topics to cover Exam format/style of questions Length of time Marks per question Past papers Predict Exam topic/s

Plan and prepare Make a timetable (6-8 weeks ahead) Strategise ways of remembering (see, hear, say and do) Prepare materials (lecture notes, cue cards etc)

Practise: ‘see, hear, say and do’ Mind maps Diagrams/pictures Record and listen and recall Mnemonics Story Group revision: Social media quizzes and/or university challenge Behind the door and/or on the wall

Practical Tips for Revision Revise at different times of the day Avoid revision for long periods without breaks Avoid revising in one place Read, précis, expand

Before the exam Do not panic! Avoid meeting nervous colleagues Have a watch in front of you, or sit in view of a clock Check that you have all the materials you will need

Before you start writing Read the question booklet carefully! Check the marks available for each question. Read all questions carefully. Decide which you want to answer and in what sequence. Identify keywords such as ‘describe’…..’discuss’…..’evaluate’.

During the exam Take a breather Have a mouth watering sweet/or drink Check your timings Be positive Ignore what others are doing

Essay type questions Do not start writing your answers immediately. Plan each of your answers: – Introduction – Main body – Conclusion Note how you will link or relate the main points together/sustain an argument If you are unsure about the answer, try and address the question as best as you can.

Essay type questions During the exam – Revisit your plan – Use * or numbers to insert missed material At the end – Check you’ve met the plan – Use bullet points for missed content – Amend any spelling or grammatical errors – Check references

Read the question once to get the gist Avoid getting stuck on the ‘padding’ of the case Spend a little more time than you normally would reading and highlighting key phrases/words Follow the advice on planning and completing essay type exams. Tackling case study questions.

What not to write (essay and case study type exams) Do not include material that ‘pads’ out the answer Do not ‘shoehorn’ material in because you’ve revised it! A memorised essay (unless for a seen exam) Avoid giving your opinion unless asked to do so

Tackling multiple-choice questions Check for positive or negative marking Carefully read and mark answers you know without further checking. Read all the possible answers/dismiss those which are obviously incorrect Eliminate answers that: – are at the extremes of what might be correct answer – contain two unrelated terms

Finally… Check – T imings – Check in text citations – Spelling, grammar and punctuation – Your details are added to additional sheets of paper Write sharp and effective answers which stick to the question. Do not engage in post-exam inquests with your colleagues.