Strategies for Unseen Written Exams

MSc International Management

Gerald Dampier, RHI

Our Focus

Preparing for the exam

•Revision•Using past papers•Self-study•Revising in groups

Taking the exam

•Time management•Coping with nerves•Anecdotes

Preparing for exams: student experiences

Briefly consider the following questions and compare your ideas with the person sitting next to you:

1.How do you decide exactly which material to focus on in your revision?

2.How important are past papers and what can you learn from them?

3.Is it worth practising writing essay answers by yourself?

4.Is it worth spending time revising with classmates?

Preparing 1: Get familiar with the exam Check and re-check your examination timetable.

Make sure you know: what form the exam will take; how much time you will have; how marks are allocated; and what aspects of the course will be examined.

Check formal examination requirements in your department and programme handbooks.

Read the College’s examination regulations. http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Registry/Examinations/Essential-info.html

Preparing 2: Revision strategies

Select topics for revision

Make a revision plan

Make notes

Preparing 3: Avoiding pitfalls

Reading notes over and over again

Writing out notes over and over again

Writing out essays and learning them off by heart

Leaving revision until the last minute

Panicking

Preparing 4: Checklist

I know exactly where and when the exams are. I know how many questions are required in

each exam. I know how many topics I need to revise. I am aware of the range of questions that can

come up for each topic. I have made realistic timetable with clear

priorities. I am practising exam answers on past papers,

writing under timed conditions. I am getting enough rest and relaxation…

Taking the exam: student experiences

Briefly consider the following questions and compare your ideas with the person sitting next to you:

1. Do you have any suggestions on how best to manage your time in the exam room?

2. Do you have any advice on coping with nerves during exams?

3. Have you had any bad experiences in an exam? What happened, and how did you react?

Taking the Exam 1: Preview Skim over the entire exam to get a sense

of everything you have to do

Estimate how much time you have to spend on each question.

2.00 Read Paper and choose questions (10 mins.)2.10 Plan all three essays (30 mins.)2.40 Start Essay 1, finish at 3.253.25 Start Essay 2, finish at 4.104.10 Start Essay 3, finish at 4.55 (45 mins. each essay)4.55 Check paper (5 mins.)5.00 Finish exam

Taking the Exam 2: Preview

Identify which essay question you want to answer first.

Read the question carefully.

Underline key words or phrases.

Taking the Exam 3: Planning

Write out a brief outline of your ideas

Taking the Exam 4: Writing Be careful not to write down everything you know about a

topic

Remember that your goal is to answer a specific question in as much detail as possible. Answer the question directly.

Remember the higher order skills of analysis and evaluation • break down the material in a way that helps reveal the

issues involved • examine arguments critically

Think of specific examples you can use to support your argument

Refer back to the question to make sure you have covered everything in your outline

Taking the Exam 5: Review

Use your time efficiently, but don’t rush.

When you are finished writing, read through your essay to check for errors and coherence.

If you run out of time, try to write at least a partial response or detailed outline rather than leave the question blank.

Good Luck!!