Sitting Exams Successfully: How to Play the Examination Game

Think like an examiner.I cant read that.What are they trying to say?Is this crossed out or not?They havent really answered the question.They havent included examples.Theyve made the point but its not explained fully.

Make the examiner want to give you marks..

WILT Technique: W, I, What is Wanted? Command words

What should I Include? Links to the syllabus, relevant key words examples, case studies, evidence what will the examiner be looking for?

WILT Technique: L, T.How Long should the answer be? How Long should I spend on the answer?number of marks. time available per question.

What Type of answer is needed?Written (short answer, one word, definition, essay)Diagrams, sketches, maps, graphs.Annotations / labels.Calculations (show your working) etc.

Know your command wordsHighlight / underline the command words.Check back to the question whilst you are answering it.

ExamplesAccount For: Explain, clarify, give reasons for. (Quite different from Give an account of which is more like Describe in detail.)Analyse: Break an issue down into its component parts, discuss them and show how they interrelate.Annotate: Add notes to a diagram, chart or map which explain the feature being pointed to.Apply: Use an idea, equation, principle, theory or law in a new situation.Argue: Make a case, based on appropriate evidence and logically structured, for and/or against some given point of view.Assess: Consider the value or importance of something, paying due attention to positive, negative and disputable aspects, and citing the judgements of any known authorities as well as your own.