Before
writing :
* Set up a time schedule to
answer each question and to review or edit all questions.
* If six questions are to be
answered in sixty minutes, allow yourself only seven minutes for each. Use the
other three minutes to check the answers and spend time on more difficult
questions.
* If questions are weighted, prioritise that into your time
allocation for each question.
* When the time is up for one
question, stop writing, leave space, and use a new booklet to begin the next
question, The incomplete answers can be completed during the review time.
* Read through the questions once
and note if you have any choice in answering questions.
* Pay attention to how the
question is phrased or to the directives,
or words such as compare, contrast,
outline, discuss or describe.
* Answers will come to mind
immediately for some questions. Write down their key words. Listings, etc., as
they are fresh in mind. Otherwise, these ideas maybe blocked (or be
unavailable) when the time comes to write the later questions. This will reduce
cluthing or panic (anxiety or fear which disrupts your thoughts).
* Before attempting to answer a
question, put in your own words.
* Examiners are influenced by the
compactness, completeness and clarity of an organised answer.
* Writing in the hope that the
right answer will somehow turn up is time-consuming and is usually futile.
* To know a little and to present
that little well is, by and large, superior to knowing much and presenting it poorly
- when judged by the grade received.
Six incomplete answers will usually receive
more credit than three complete ones.
Speaking of my experience as an examiner for essay paper, I find that a
paper that is well organized with clear headings and subheadings is easy to
correct as the points stand out well, illegible handwriting is an eyesore and
creates a bad impression. Do not scribble. Write legibly. You must understand
that examiners are humans and have their limitations. Good presentations pay in
the end. Avoid using a bright highlighter to underline the subheadings.
Instead, use a normal pencil or a red pen.
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