Strategies for Essay Tests

Preparing for the test Know what is expected of you. What content will be covered? How many questions will be on the test? Ask yourself: What do I know about this material? What do I need to know?

Preparing for the test Write out answers to possible questions. Practice organizing your ideas and writing a complete response. If your teacher doesn’t provide sample questions, create a few for yourself and practice writing out your answers.

Preparing for the test Practice answering sample questions under conditions similar to those you will encounter in the actual exam. Find a quiet place. Set a time for the allotted time. Be mentally and physically prepared for the exam. Get a good night’s sleep. Eat healthy food.

Taking the test: Preview Skim over the entire test to get a sense of everything you have to do. Estimate how much time you have to spend on each question. For example, if you have 2 questions and a 40-minute time period, plan for 20 minutes to organize, write, and review each question.

Taking the test: Preview Identify which essay question you want to answer first. Read the question carefully. Many students do poorly on essay tests because they misread the question. Underline key words or phrases. Determine whether the question is asking you to respond to more than one thing.

Taking the test: Planning Write out a brief outline of your ideas in the margin or on the question sheet. 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. Think of specific examples you can use to support your argument. Refer to the question to make sure you have covered everything in your outline.

Taking the test: Writing Answer the question directly in the first few sentences of your response. Do not write I think, I feel, I believe, or In my opinion because the essay is your point of view. Make sure each paragraph begins with a clear topic sentence. Included sufficient explanation: Don’t leave anything to inference. Define terms, explain statements, support ideas with facts and logic. If you’re not specific enough, your teacher may assume you did not understand the material. Do not end the essay with In conclusion or In summary.

Taking the test: Review Use your time efficiently, but don’t rush. When you are finished writing, read through your essay to check for errors before moving on to the next question. If you run out of time, try to write at least a partial response or detailed outline rather than leave the question blank.

Essay Question “Action” Words Discuss Consider important characteristics and main points. Enumerate List or discuss one by one. Illustrate Explain, using examples that demonstrate or clarify a point or idea. Compare Show how items are similar or different; include details or examples. Contrast Show how items are different; include details or examples. Define Give an accurate meaning of the term with enough detail to show that you really understand it.

Essay Question “Action” Words Explain Give facts and details that make the idea or concept clear and understandable Trace Describe the development or progress of a particular trend, event, or process in chronological order. Evaluate React to the topic in a logical way. Discuss the merits, strengths, weaknesses, advantages, or limitations of the topic Summarize Cover the major points in brief form; use a sentence and paragraph form.

Essay Question “Action” Words Describe Tell how something looks or happened, including how, who, where, and why. Prove Demonstrate or establish that a concept or theory is correct, logical, or valid.