1. Preparing for the Social Studies 11 Provincial Exam
K.J. Benoy

2. Know What You Are Facing
This is an exam that students all over the province will write.
It looks different to class exams, so get familiar with the layout. The questions may also be worded a little differently to what you are used to.
At Sutherland we carefully follow the curriculum, so all parts of the course were covered – but one or two details may be unfamiliar and the emphasis may sometimes be a little different to the way it was in class.
Don’t worry. All students in the province will face these things – even those who had a teacher on the exam writing team.

3. Know What You Are Facing
The exam has two parts:
Selected Response Questions – these are usually multiple choice, but can also include true and false or matching.
Essay questions – there are two of these and you must answer both of them.

4. Look at the Exam Specifications
This can be found online at:

5. How to Study Know the language of the course.
Karl Marx
Know the language of the course.
Use flash cards to study names and terms.
Do not waste time studying terms and names you already know!
The creator of Communism (Marxism).
He believed in materialism – only things you can touch and feel are real.
He wanted a world where everyone was equal.

6. How to Study
For History, use timelines to get events in the right order. Visual learners benefit from adding images.

7. How To Study Predict and Practice Essay Questions
These are the big questions that make you think and combine information.
These questions will come from the themes of the course:
Autonomy & International Development
Politics and Government
Society and Identity
Human Geography
You have suggestions on your Tips for Writing the Social Studies 11 Provincial Exam handout.

8. Entering the Battle Be physically prepared. How not to feel.
Get a good night’s sleep. Don’t study all night. Watch a comedy the evening before the test.
Eat a good meal at least an hour before the test – you don’t want to be hungry or tired as you digest food.
Dress in layers. You don’t want to feel too hot or cold when writing.
Arrive early to reduce stress.
Go to the bathroom before the test – you don’t want to be distressed during the test.
How not to feel.

9. Entering the Battle Reduce Stress:
Close your eyes and imagine yourself in your favourite comfortable place.
Reduce Stress:
A little worry is good – it helps to focus your attention. Too much stress is bad and interferes with memory
Take 5 deep breaths to pump oxygen to your brain.
If still anxious (you feel this in your neck muscles), practice passive relaxation – consciously relax muscle groups.

10. Writing the Test – Selected Response
Multiple Choice Questions.
Only one answer is right.
Eliminate wrong answers first – cross them out on the test.
History questions are usually in time order – this may give you a clue.
Whenever a question says “except” or “not,” slow down to think more carefully.
Guess if you don’t know. Never leave a blank.
There are no trick questions. If it looks too easy, it actually just is so.
Check for frame-shifts from time to time.

11. Writing the Test – Selected Response
Matching Questions
These are like multiple choice, but with more options.
Always read all items in both columns before starting.
It is unlikely an answer will be used more than once – so lightly cross out items you know have been used correctly.

12. Writing the Test – Selected Response
True/False Questions
These are rarely used.
They are just simple multiple choice items with two choices.
Do not over-complicate them. Examiners are never trying to trick you!

13. Writing the Test - Essays
There are two essay questions.
Write both of them.
The test writing time is long – you should have plenty of time.
If you are short of time, it is better to write two mediocre answers than just one good one.

14. Writing the Test - Essays
Know what the command words mean – see the handout.

15. Writing the Test - Essays
Be Careful on Geography options.
Many students make the mistake of just relying on common knowledge
Make sure you use specific course content and employ terms we have learned.

16. Writing the Test - Essays
Always plan before you write.
Never just write off the top of your head.
There is little to no space in the booklet to use, so use any space in the multiple choice booklet to plan.
Above all, your writing needs a thesis – a controlling statement. This is a one sentence answer to the question.

17. Writing the Test - Essays
The following suggestions from the Open School’s Social Studies 11; Provincial Exam Preparation book are spot-on:
“Read the Question Carefully.” Know what you are being asked to do.
“Identify the Command word.” Circle it or put a box around it and underline any other key words.
“Create a chart in your planning space.” Fill it with appropriate information.

18. Writing the Test – Essays Sample Charts
The kind of chart you should use depends on the question.
A history question might ask you to cover a time period – like from If so use a chronology chart like the one to the left, to make sure you use information from the whole time period.

19. Writing the Test – Essays Sample Charts
A chronology question that asks you to assess something over a time span could use a diagram like the one to the right – for example:
“The most important influence on Canadian government policy during the 20th Century was the United States.” Assess the truth of this statement making reference to events throughout the time period

20. Writing the Test – Essays Sample Charts
SPERM-G
This is an acronym for: Social, Political, Economic, Religious, Military, and Geographic.
Not all of these categories might relate to any given question, but if several do, then making a chart that includes them will help you write a thorough paper that doesn’t miss important material.
This chart might accompany the question: Assess how much Canada changed as a result of World War I.

21. Writing the Test – Essays Sample Charts
Any question that asks you to look at two sides of an issue could use a chart like the one to the right.
An example of such a question might be: To what extent is global warming a problem for Canadians?

22. Writing the Test – Essays
Write in essay format if possible. This will ensure that you are organized.
Introduction (with thesis).
Body (at least 3 points of a paragraph each).
Conclusion.

23. Writing the Test – Essays
You will not be marked down for not using essay format, but you will probably not be as thorough or as organized.

24. Writing the Test – Essays
Write small. One of our biggest complaints about the essay booklet is that it does not give enough space. We have complained for years and nothing has been done about it. Once again, write small!
Write legibly. If a marker cannot read your writing it cannot be credited. If your handwriting is as bad as mine, print!
Use all of the time allowed. Once you leave the test, you cannot return. Do not rush. Check your work and edit neatly (there is no space to write a good copy, so do not rewrite).
If you go back and check multiple choice items, do not change them unless you are 100% sure. First guesses are often the best.

25. Now Practice on Sample Exams