Exam & study skills
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19-Oct-2014 -
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Transcript of Exam & study skills
Exam Skills
Practical information
Exam timetable http://www.dbs-students.com/Timetables/Exams.aspx Exam regulations http://www.dbs-students.com/Exams/Default.aspx Past exam papers (on moodle) http://student.dbs.edu/course/category.php?id=50
Common questions about exams ?????
How long are the exams?
How many questions do you have to answer? How are the marks divided?
Can you repeat the exam?
Common questions about exams ?????
Do you have to pass the exam to pass the module? What format are the exam questions? Do you have to reference in an exam?
Other questions?????????????????????
What affects exam success?
• Subject knowledge • Your exam history • Exam preparation• Exam practice• Experience of the
subject• Writing skills• Use of time• Attitude and
approach
Knowing your subject well......
The better you know your subject the easier it is to:
• Recognize what is significant....therefore understanding what must be included and what can be left out
• Identify links and connections between different aspects of the subject
• Recognize which schools of thought are relevant to
which exam questions • Background reading is key. Your reading will be
evident in the examples and details in your answers
Exam preparation
" It is extremely unlikely that you can go into an exam and do well without preparation, even if you have worked hard during the course" (Cottrell 2007) Why?because exams are not just about understanding information but about showing & presenting:• Specific aspects of what you know• In particular ways such as essay or short answer• At speed• From memory
Exam Practice
"One of the best ways of preparing for any event is to practice in conditions as near to the real event as possible"
• Practice old exam questions• Work under time pressure• Check your answers after• Learn to work quickly in planning, writing and
checking answers• Set up your own mock exam conditions
Writing skills......yes they matter!
For all written exams, exam success is affected by:
Style: clear, easy to read writing style Vocabulary: demonstrate your knowledge of subject specific vocabulary in your answers Organization: Well structured answers that have an introduction, paragraphs and a conclusion
Evidence: Support your points with definitions, examples, theory and quotes
Use of time
Before• timetable your study• take breaks
In the exam• 2 hours.....120 minutes
• 3 questions
• 35 minutes per
question • 15 minutes to check
your answers
0 hours
1 hour
2 hours0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Patterns of Recall
4 short breaksno breaksno breaks & study >2 hours
Am
ount
reca
lled
Attitude and approach
Our cognitive activity to think clearly and logically, is affected by factors such as:
• how calm we are feeling• level of interest in material• Distractions• Self understanding
Take ControlSet exam and study goals• Specific• Measurable• Attainable• Realistic• Timely
Study Techniques A 5 Step Approach
Step 1
• Review lecture notes Theory + attending fact/example
• Examine course outline
Study Techniques
Step 2 • Highlight additional key points from
core text • choose 2/3 critical arguments from
authors: ‘flesh out’ lecture notes into an argument based on knowledge and critical awareness
Step 3• Store composite notes in a systematic
manner
Study Techniques
Step 4• Use text reduction
methods to simplify material
• mind-maps• Spicy nodes
Study Techniques
Step 5• Familiarise yourself with all aspects of the
exam papers• Format, marking scheme, language,
terminology, question styles
Characteristics of good exam essays
• Answers the precise question set• Clear argument/perspective• Critical and analytical• Structured with good paragraphing• Provides reasons based on evidence• Refers to theories• Is selective• Clear and to the point writing style• Has been proof-read
Common irritations for examiners
• Answers wrongly numbered• Unclear which question student is answering• Poor handwriting• Long waffley paragraphs• Unclear & disorganised layout
Further reading
• Northedge, A. (2008) The Good Study Guide. OU Press.
• Buzan, T. (2007) The Buzan Study Skills Handbook. BBC
• Cottrell, S.(2007) The Exam Skills Handbook. Palgrave.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlabrWv25qQ
• www.skills4study.com