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Handling exam questions
Keys to success
Using your knowledge and skills
When answering exam questions, you will need to make purposeful use of your knowledge and skills.
For most types of exam questions, a good answer:
answers all parts of the question
develops logically
uses terms correctly and appropriately
defnes specialist words as needed
includes suffcient detail and/or examples to make the point.
Relevance
Every year examiners comment that many students fail to answer the question, that is, students
answers are not relevant and are off the point.
Relevance is vital and depends on:
choosing appropriate content
using content purposefully to do what is asked (see the Key action words list).
Presentation
You will be assessed on what you write, but if you want to do really well, you should also consider how you
write. It is easier for the examiners to understand what you are saying if your writing and expression are
clear. If they cant read and understand your answer, they cant give you credit for what you have written.
Strategies for different types of exam questions
Multiple-choice questions
Dont jump at the obvious. Think it through!
If you dont know an answer, leave it but come back to it. It will often occur to you later.
Use the process of elimination if you cant recognise the correct answer.
Be sure to answer all questions, as you have a 20 per cent chance of being right.
Check that you have marked only one box.
Short-answer questions
Remember that the score and the number of lines allowed for a response indicates how many points
need to be made in your answer and how much content is necessary. You need to:
read the question carefully
determine what the question is asking (underlining key words will help)
identify the key element you will be expected to address
write a succinct (short and to-the-point) answer.
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Extended-answer questions
Read the question carefully.
Determine what the question is asking (underlining key terms will help).
Try not to be overwhelmed by the complexity of the latter parts of the question. Often the frst parts
are relatively straightforward.
If you know your result to a question part is wrong, or if you are unable to work out the answer,
indicate this and attempt to fnish the question using a reasonable answer, showing you know
what method is required.
Case study/stimulus material questions
These questions require you to apply your knowledge to a scenario or particular material. The
scenario or material sets the context for the question(s) that follow and often contains ideas and
examples for use in your answers. You need to:
study the material carefully to understand its signifcance
decide on the aspects of your course that are involvedthe key points, concepts, terms or issues
that are relevant to your answers.
Essay questions
Essays usually require:
an introductory paragraph. Decide what purpose(s) you want your introduction to serve (e.g. to
interpret the question, to state your line of argument, to attract the readers attention) and write it to
achieve that purpose.
development paragraphs. These should support and expand on the themes fagged in your
introductory paragraph. Dont pad with irrelevant material.
a concluding paragraph. This is where you sum up your key points and/or round off your
argument.
To practise the process of essay writing:
Analyse the question.
Locate and highlight key action word(s) (Assess, Evaluate, etc.) and the key topic words.
Clarify exactly what the question is asking you to do (and what it is not asking you to do).
Brainstorm: Jot down any points, ideas or information relevant to answering the question.
Plan your essay by deciding the main idea of each paragraph.
Think about the sequence of the ideas and arrange them so they are ordered logically.
Check back to the question to ensure your planned answer is relevant.
Write your response in the appropriate timeframe. Keep checking that you are linking what you
write to the question.
Re-read your answer to check that it fows and is clear and correct.
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Key action words used in exam questions
To answer questions relevantly you need to understand the meaning of these key words and phrases.
Account for give reasons for; explain the cause(s) of
Analyse break down into key points; show the essence of; inquire into
Apply use the (information) to illustrate meaning; make links or connections;
show relationships
Assess weigh up the value of
Comment on make relevant remarks about (that show understanding of)
Compare and contrast show points of similarity (compare); show points of difference
(contrast)
Critically examine look at the main features and discuss both sides of the issue
Defne give exact meaning of
Demonstrate show
Describe give the general features/characteristics of
Discuss look at both sides; debate the issue, weighing one side against the
other(s)
Distinguish demonstrate the points of difference
Establish prove the point beyond dispute
Evaluate set out the strengths and weaknesses of; give your opinion of the
value of the arguments
Explain provide details to give the reader an understanding of
Identify pick out or recognise
Illustrate use examples to demonstrate
Indicate point out, show
Interpret show the meaning of; give an explanation of
Justify demonstrate the correctness of (by giving evidence)
List make points briefy (preferably in order of importance) on separate
lines
Measure assess; show how much
Outline write a narrative summary (not just dot points) of
Suggest put forward ideas, proposals, recommendations
You may also see:
How signifcant? how important? (provide an argument about the relative importance of
particular factors)
To what extent? how far can it be said that ?
With reference to with regard to; in relation to
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In the exam room
Using reading time effectively
Remember that reading time equals thinking time.
Take a deep breath and focus on reading the material in the exam. It will calm your nerves.
Read the instructions (dont assume you know them as they may change).
Read and reread each question carefully until you are allowed to write.
Look carefully at any stimulus material.
Dont jump at questions when the topic seems familiar; look for the underlying concepts involved.
Use the reading time to think about how to answer the question.
Check for parts/sections to the paper.
Look out for any and/or questions.
Decide the order in which you will answer questions.
Start with your best question to build confdence.
Decide how long to spend on each question. Marks allocated to a question should determine the
time you spend on it. Lines or space provided for an answer also indicate the length of the answer
expected. You will get no extra marks for over-answering but will lose marks if you under-answer.
Further tips to assist your success
Believe you can do it!
Be calm!
Be relaxed!
Be confdent!
Check for the key words in a question. Highlight them.
Plan your answers before you write.
Make sure you are answering the question actually asked.
Dont write out the question in your answer bookit is a waste of time.
Write in black or blue pen. It is wise to take a couple of pens into the exam.
Work out during the reading time for how much time you should spend on each question. Dont
spend too much time on any one question.
When writing a defnition, dont use the word you are defning as part of the defnition.
Be sure to answer all questions required.
Read over your answers to pick up careless errorsthe mind is faster than the hand and you do
not always write what you intend (especially when you are under pressure).
Keep your eye on the time.
Never leave an exam early. Use any spare time to reread and check your answers.