EXAMINATIONS

Study advice

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Examinations

Most subjects include some exams, testing what you know but even more crucially what you also understand. Knowing can just be factual recall (merely parrot-like) but your further understanding (significance, implications, etc.) of factual material is essential and of the utmost importance.

Take lecturers advice. Certainly you could be expected to be examined on the following:

(a)	lecture verbal presentations
(b)	lecture source material handouts (inc. further comments/elaboration made on them)
(c)	lecture diagrams (inc. further comments/elaboration made on them)
(d)	importantly, your 'reading around' (the familiar expected Higher Education process)

A useful practice, in the revision period, is the writing of some timed questions, as 'active revision'. Past papers show question styles, but trying to 'essay spot' for topics can dangerously restrict revision

This sounds forbidding, but should be considered, particularly achieving that crucial relevancy, by making you think carefully about which question is really best suited to you, and what the question is really asking you. Here is a possible 4-fold approach (1st 5-10 minutes)

(a)	GENERAL THEME
(b)	QUALIFYING WORDS	time period geographical area particular aspects of a general theme parts to the question
(c)	KEY TERMS/CONCEPTS	assumptions to check ambiguities to clarify definitions/criteria to establish
(d)	DIRECTION	Measuring (to what extent, how far, evaluate) Comparing (compare/contrast, how similar/different) Explaining (analyse, explain, why) Discussing (discuss, comment)

The main distinctive exam feature is that (like life) it tests your skill in organising time within a specified period for a specific purpose, so that you do justice to all the questions required. Keep an awareness and thus control, dividing your time accordingly. Within your writing, ask yourselves:

(a)	am I being *RELEVANT* 'to the question as set'?
(b)	am I *ORGANISING* my material into thematic paragraphs (i.e. main paragraph point backed up - qualified - elaborated by smaller details)
(c)	am I being *SPECIFIC* ?
(d)	am I being factually *ACCURATE* ?

Factual accuracy is put here at the end, to highlight that you will not be getting questions expecting you to regurgitate reams of description/narration. Questions have evaluative/comparative/analytical thrusts, testing your 'understanding' rather than just mechanical remembering of material. You will still need to actively use and direct some evidence, but not with the detailed type of course work quotes & footnotes.