University of London International Programmes at LSE

27 March 2015

Dear EMFSS Student As the examinations approach, it is worth spending some time thinking about your revision and exam preparation. The majority of people dislike examinations. Nobody likes being assessed and so examinations typically trigger avoidance techniques. There is always something more interesting to do than to think about and prepare to be assessed. Many people delay their revision and preparation until it is too late or at least until there is there is no option but to cram. So, you need to start your preparation sufficiently early and make your preparation active, interesting and productive. This means you need to think about your goals, such as impressing the examiners and getting a (very) good grade, and how to achieve those goals. The University of London International Programmes Team at LSE is keen that you perform as well as you can in the forthcoming examinations and so we have put together some advice which we hope you will find useful when revising and preparing for your examinations. We suggest you read through this advice and follow the guidance in your exam preparation and in the examinations themselves. With sufficient revision and systematic preparation you have the potential to perform well. You can do it! Good luck! All good wishes.

Dr Jan Stockdale MBE Dean, University of London International Programmes at LSE

Revision/preparation for the examinations The importance of understanding You need to ensure that you understand the course material the Subject Guide is the core resource but you will also need to read the Essential texts and other relevant material. It is important that you have a firm grasp of the basics so that you can build on that foundation this is especially important for quantitative subjects. It is also important that enhance your knowledge base by reading widely and identifying key issues this is especially important for qualitative subjects. You need to be able to display your knowledge and understanding which means knowing what you know and how to use it effectively to answer the question asked. Learning answers will not work.

It is important that you understand what the examiners are looking for and appreciate what examinations test. Examiners want you to:

Attempt the required number of questions Answer the question asked Express yourself clearly Write legibly Use an appropriate approach depends on the subject (quantitative or qualitative)

and the type of question (e.g. short answer vs. essay questions) Quantitative subjects In quantitative subjects, examiners are looking for:

Evidence of knowledge and understanding Appreciation of what the question is asking you need to unpack the question Ability to apply principles to answer the question asked Ability to identify the correct techniques and to implement them accurately

What do examinations in quantitative subjects test?

Knowledge and understanding Ability to identify relevant principles/techniques Capacity to perform calculations to derive the answer to the question asked Where calculations are required, ability to present workings and the final answer(s)

clearly Well-structured and focused written answers Often questions have two sections: one requiring calculations and comment, the

other requiring a written answer so examination tests both the ability to perform calculations and the ability to discuss issues

Qualitative subjects Short answer questions and essay questions require different strategies Short answer questions look for evidence that you:

Understand the focus of the question Have grasped essential concepts, methods and theories Can present this knowledge clearly and concisely Where appropriate:

o Make reference to relevant theorists and empirical studies o Illustrate answers with relevant examples

Essay questions seek evidence that you:

Understand what the question is asking Not only understand the issues and theoretical perspectives But also can present your ideas in a coherent and structured way Can express and argue your viewpoint Can support your argument with empirical evidence Are able to use the material presented to reach a conclusion that addresses the

question asked

Topic choice

You need to ensure that you study sufficient topics Question spotting is not a good strategy Understanding is more valuable than trying to predict questions Some questions may require knowledge of more than one topic You should not assume certain topics/questions will be on paper You cannot obtain marks by answering questions you wish had been on the paper

but were not! Time allocation

Important you allocate your time appropriately Marks awarded:

o reflect what examiners want from you o should determine time allocation

For example: o if 40% marks awarded for Section A, then allocate 40% of time to Section A o if 60% marks awarded for Section B, then allocate 60% of time to Section A o then work out time per question within sections

You should ensure you answer required number of questions Much easier to get some marks on all of the questions than all of the marks on some

of the questions! Revision

Organise/expand notes Should not rely just on Subject Guide need to have read relevant texts etc. Revision strategies are personal select suitable approach Active revision /practice is essential e.g. make notes of your notes Look at/attempt past exam questions identify kinds of questions asked Look at examiners commentaries for advice on how to approach questions Learn what is wanted Learn how to answer the question asked

Using past examination papers

Think about guidance on what exams test/what examiners are looking for Examination is NOT just a memory test Do NOT learn/regurgitate sections of the Subject Guide/prepared answers Practise calculations need to be quick and accurate (quantitative subjects) Practise MCQs more than just a guessing task (Introduction to Economics) Practise short answers identify key points Practise essay plans/answers

o Analyse the question o Identify key points/major theorists/relevant empirical evidence o Plan the answer - beginning (introduction), middle (core of answer) and end

(conclusion) o Construct essential arguments that lead to conclusion o Write your answer to address the question asked

Preparation for writing essay answers

Many people find writing essay answers challenging Identify different types of questions - no question asks you to write all you know

about X Analyse the question asked/recognise what the question is asking May use much of the same material in your answer but in different ways For example:

o Compare and contrast two theories of consumption. o Consumption cannot be explained using economic theory alone. Discuss. o How successful have economists been in explaining consumption?

You need to know where you want to be at the end of your essay, before you start writing

Construct your plan use to organise your answer Begin with an informative introduction End with a conclusion that addresses the question asked

Key things you need to do

Show you have understood the material and can apply your knowledge to answer the question asked

How you demonstrate understanding/knowledge will depend on subject matter/type of exam question e.g.

o Perform accurate calculations and provide relevant comment o Prove have thought about issues/debates o Show have read widely not just the Subject Guide! o Apply analytical/critical skills o Demonstrate ability to select/evaluate evidence o Display ability to argue coherently o Reach a conclusion on basis of material presented o Establish you have studied the subject anecdote is not enough

Use appropriate terminology avoid slang/informal writing style Display clarity of expression and high standard of presentation

The examination

Divide questions into definites, possibles and only if desperate! Always answer the required number of questions Do NOT assume certain topics/questions will be on the exam paper - read the

questions carefully Do NOT regurgitate learnt answers unlikely to match question asked When calculations required, provide clear/accurate workings Do NOT write all you know about a topic answer the question asked Before you start your answer, make a note of key points/make a plan (depending on

type of question Do NOT forget what the question is asking stay focused on the question/key

points/plan Do NOT lose track of time good time management essential

Remember the advice you can do it! Good luck!