Exam Technique What were you taught last year about exam technique? 12 11 1 10 2 2 min 7 min 6 min 1 min Exam Technique 9 min 3 min 10 min 5 min 8 min 4 min 9 3 30 s 30 s 20 s 10 s 50 s 30 s 30 s 40 s 20 s 20 s 20 s 50 s 20 s 50 s 50 s 30 s 20 s 20 s 30 s 30 s 30 s 40 s 10 s 40 s 20 s 40 s 20 s 50 s 40 s 50 s 40 s 10 s 10 s 10 s 10 s 10 s 10 s 40 s 50 s 40 s 20 s 50 s 10 s 30 s 40 s 50 s 50 s 40 s 10 s 30 s 8 4 7 5 6 What were you taught last year about exam technique? How do you revise successfully?

How to tackle an exam question…

Draw a box around the command word. Draw an arrow next to the question Draw a box around the command word. Draw an arrow next to the question. Circle the connective. Underline the key points.

The connective tells you how to get additional marks. Ignore it = 0 Why? The connective can change the meaning of the question. Get it wrong = 0 marks. Sometimes the question contains a lot of information and it is hard to work out what they want you to answer. The arrow will help you pinpoint this. The connective tells you how to get additional marks. Ignore it = 0 The key points guide you as to what to write about. Don’t just repeat them!

Command Words Draw a square around the command word for each question. Multiple choice – carefully check how many answers they want. These are marked by a computer. If you make a mistake make it very clear what the correct answer is. Identify / state – give a specific short answer. These are marked by an administrative assistant. If the answer does not match the mark scheme = 0 marks. No “it” or “they”.

Command Words Draw a square around the command word for each question. Describe – give a written account of what happens. Use supporting data if available. Explain – give reasons why a process occurs. Use scientific terminology. Compare / contrast– present an account of both sides of the story and add scientific explanations. Use supporting data if available. Evaluate – Make a conclusion based on the given information.

Revision A large percentage of the exam questions are factual recall.

You need to re-familiarise yourself with the lesson content. You need to know the content well enough to cope with any exam question. It will increase your confidence!

Some people dream of success while others wake up and work hard for it.

How to revise? Most people need to “do something” for the information to sink in. Test your subject knowledge with the revision cards. Make sure someone else tests you.

Marking 6 mark questions. The examiner reads your answer decides on a band. 0 – no content / has answered question incorrectly. 1-2 – has explained one answer correctly. 3-4 has explained one answer in detail or two answers. 5-6 – has explained three(+) answers correctly and has used data (if available). If your literacy is acceptable you will get the top number, if it is poor you will get the lower number.

Answering 6 mark questions Point 1 Explanation Keywords List Point 2 Explanation Point 3 Explanation

Go to revision sessions!