University of London International Programmes at LSE

27 March 2015

Dear EMFSS Student

As the examinations approach, it is worth spending some time thinking about your revision
and exam preparation.
The majority of people dislike examinations. Nobody likes being assessed and so
examinations typically trigger avoidance techniques. There is always something more
interesting to do than to think about and prepare to be assessed. Many people delay their
revision and preparation until it is too late or at least until there is there is no option but to
cram. So, you need to start your preparation sufficiently early and make your preparation
active, interesting and productive. This means you need to think about your goals, such as
impressing the examiners and getting a (very) good grade, and how to achieve those goals.
The University of London International Programmes Team at LSE is keen that you perform
as well as you can in the forthcoming examinations and so we have put together some
advice which we hope you will find useful when revising and preparing for your
examinations.
We suggest you read through this advice and follow the guidance in your exam preparation
and in the examinations themselves.
With sufficient revision and systematic preparation you have the potential to perform well.
You can do it! Good luck!
All good wishes.

Dr Jan Stockdale MBE

Dean, University of London International Programmes at LSE
Revision/preparation for the examinations
The importance of understanding
You need to ensure that you understand the course material the Subject Guide is the core
resource but you will also need to read the Essential texts and other relevant material. It is
important that you have a firm grasp of the basics so that you can build on that foundation
this is especially important for quantitative subjects. It is also important that enhance your
knowledge base by reading widely and identifying key issues this is especially important
for qualitative subjects. You need to be able to display your knowledge and understanding
which means knowing what you know and how to use it effectively to answer the question
asked. Learning answers will not work.

It is important that you understand what the examiners are looking for and appreciate what
examinations test.
Examiners want you to:

Attempt the required number of questions

Answer the question asked
Express yourself clearly
Write legibly
Use an appropriate approach depends on the subject (quantitative or qualitative)
and the type of question (e.g. short answer vs. essay questions)

Quantitative subjects
In quantitative subjects, examiners are looking for:

Evidence of knowledge and understanding

Appreciation of what the question is asking you need to unpack the question
Ability to apply principles to answer the question asked
Ability to identify the correct techniques and to implement them accurately

What do examinations in quantitative subjects test?

Knowledge and understanding

Ability to identify relevant principles/techniques
Capacity to perform calculations to derive the answer to the question asked
Where calculations are required, ability to present workings and the final answer(s)
clearly
Well-structured and focused written answers
Often questions have two sections: one requiring calculations and comment, the
other requiring a written answer so examination tests both the ability to perform
calculations and the ability to discuss issues

Qualitative subjects
Short answer questions and essay questions require different strategies
Short answer questions look for evidence that you:

Understand the focus of the question

Have grasped essential concepts, methods and theories
Can present this knowledge clearly and concisely
Where appropriate:
o Make reference to relevant theorists and empirical studies
o Illustrate answers with relevant examples

Essay questions seek evidence that you:

Understand what the question is asking

Not only understand the issues and theoretical perspectives
But also can present your ideas in a coherent and structured way
Can express and argue your viewpoint
Can support your argument with empirical evidence
Are able to use the material presented to reach a conclusion that addresses the
question asked

Topic choice

You need to ensure that you study sufficient topics

Question spotting is not a good strategy
Understanding is more valuable than trying to predict questions
Some questions may require knowledge of more than one topic
You should not assume certain topics/questions will be on paper
You cannot obtain marks by answering questions you wish had been on the paper
but were not!

Time allocation

Important you allocate your time appropriately

Marks awarded:
o reflect what examiners want from you
o should determine time allocation
For example:
o if 40% marks awarded for Section A, then allocate 40% of time to Section A
o if 60% marks awarded for Section B, then allocate 60% of time to Section A
o then work out time per question within sections
You should ensure you answer required number of questions
Much easier to get some marks on all of the questions than all of the marks on some
of the questions!

Revision

Organise/expand notes
Should not rely just on Subject Guide need to have read relevant texts etc.
Revision strategies are personal select suitable approach
Active revision /practice is essential e.g. make notes of your notes
Look at/attempt past exam questions identify kinds of questions asked
Look at examiners commentaries for advice on how to approach questions
Learn what is wanted
Learn how to answer the question asked

Using past examination papers

Think about guidance on what exams test/what examiners are looking for
Examination is NOT just a memory test
Do NOT learn/regurgitate sections of the Subject Guide/prepared answers
Practise calculations need to be quick and accurate (quantitative subjects)
Practise MCQs more than just a guessing task (Introduction to Economics)
Practise short answers identify key points
Practise essay plans/answers
o Analyse the question
o Identify key points/major theorists/relevant empirical evidence
o Plan the answer - beginning (introduction), middle (core of answer) and end
(conclusion)
o Construct essential arguments that lead to conclusion
o Write your answer to address the question asked

Preparation for writing essay answers

Many people find writing essay answers challenging

Identify different types of questions - no question asks you to write all you know
about X
Analyse the question asked/recognise what the question is asking
May use much of the same material in your answer but in different ways
For example:
o Compare and contrast two theories of consumption.
o Consumption cannot be explained using economic theory alone. Discuss.
o How successful have economists been in explaining consumption?
You need to know where you want to be at the end of your essay, before you start
writing
Construct your plan use to organise your answer
Begin with an informative introduction
End with a conclusion that addresses the question asked

Key things you need to do

Show you have understood the material and can apply your knowledge to answer
the question asked
How you demonstrate understanding/knowledge will depend on subject matter/type
of exam question e.g.
o Perform accurate calculations and provide relevant comment
o Prove have thought about issues/debates
o Show have read widely not just the Subject Guide!
o Apply analytical/critical skills
o Demonstrate ability to select/evaluate evidence
o Display ability to argue coherently
o Reach a conclusion on basis of material presented
o Establish you have studied the subject anecdote is not enough
Use appropriate terminology avoid slang/informal writing style
Display clarity of expression and high standard of presentation

The examination

Divide questions into definites, possibles and only if desperate!

Always answer the required number of questions
Do NOT assume certain topics/questions will be on the exam paper - read the
questions carefully
Do NOT regurgitate learnt answers unlikely to match question asked
When calculations required, provide clear/accurate workings
Do NOT write all you know about a topic answer the question asked
Before you start your answer, make a note of key points/make a plan (depending on
type of question
Do NOT forget what the question is asking stay focused on the question/key
points/plan
Do NOT lose track of time good time management essential

Remember the advice you can do it! Good luck!