How well you do in unseen written examinations is mainly determined by how well you have learned and understood the material covered in your modules. Examination technique, however, is also important if you are to do yourself full justice and you may find the following helpful:

  • First, read the paper right through to the end, then go back and read the instructions again (even if you think that you know how many questions are to be answered). Notice very carefully:
    • If any questions are compulsory
    • If you must answer at least one question from each section
    • If you are allowed to answer a maximum number of questions from any one section
  • Always answer the required number of questions.
  • Before you start writing choose all the questions you are going to answer. In this way you avoid realising when you have answered one or two questions that you should really have answered different ones. Reread your chosen questions very carefully. Some questions that look easy at first glance turn out to be hard when you have a second look.
  • Plan how you are going to spend the time you have available. Look at the weighting given to different questions.
  • One of the easiest ways to lose marks is by not answering the question. Read it carefully, especially the verbs such as list, describe, compare, contrast, discuss, and explain.
  • In any written examination you should spend about a sixth of your time just thinking and planning and not writing answers at all. In a three hour examination spend the first 10 minutes studying the whole paper carefully, reading the instruction and selecting the questions you are going to answer.
  • Develop a plan for each answer. Decide what facts and arguments you are going to present and draw up an outline of a logical coherent well argued answer. You can always add additional points to your plan.
  • Remember that some questions contain several parts and you will be marked down heavily if you only answer some of them.
  • It is better to write short concise answers which are clear, critical and well-organised than long rambling essays which actually say very little.
  • If you write anything which you do not wish the examiners to mark then cross it out clearly.
  • Finally get the practical things right. Find out where and when the exam will be. Bring several pens that work and spare batteries for your calculator.   Do not take anything into the exam room that could possibly lead to you being accused of cheating. Don’t worry about what other people are doing and above all don’t panic!