Exam writing techniques. That’s what we’ll be talking about. Have you ever taken an exam where you were so well prepared that the questions were simple, yet you got a B or worse and wondered why? It has something to do with how you approach the exams and how you write your answers.
This blog will help you master 10 exam writing techniques that will get you marks even in questions you have no full answers to.
1. Make sure you are well prepared for exams
These 10 exam-writing techniques will not work unless you are adequately prepared for the exams you are taking. This implies that you should have read all of the lecture notes, practiced all of the diagrams and calculations, answered any related questions, solved past papers, and so on.
You should have studied everything available to you and examinable in the course you are pursuing. The best approach to ensuring that you have covered all of the course unit’s content is to search for some frequent questions that are typically tested in the course. You can look them up online or solve several past papers.
2. Don’t fear exams
Many students have test anxiety. Even students who are well-prepared and perform well on most examinations suffer from test anxiety.
According to Loma Linda University, some causes of test anxiety may be related to feelings of helplessness, expectations of others, taking grades as a measure of self-worth, or perfectionism.
Exam fear can be an excellent incentive for you to study harder. However, when this is dramatized, it can be a roadblock to exam success. You should not exaggerate your test anxiety. Prepare yourself as much as possible, and then wait for it. Don’t panic; it will simply ruin your memory capacity.
Once you have received the exam paper, treat it as any other uncomplicated assessment. Don’t regard it as if it means something your life depends on.
3. Look for a spot with brilliant students in the exam room
You know, the problem with sitting among people who don’t do well in exams is that they will be a major distraction to you. They will not be able to solve most of the questions on their own. This is the first issue on the list; they will disrupt you and badly impact your performance.
So you should look for a location where students work for themselves. This will save you a significant amount of time and tension associated with being disturbed. Furthermore, not being bothered when writing exams allows you to focus completely, which improves your memory abilities.
Another advantage of sitting in a spot like this is that invigilators will not be looking for you or suspecting you of cheating because you will be silent the entire time and no noise will come from your way.
4. Read the instructions
Again, these 10 exam writing techniques will be ineffective unless you remember to read the instructions thoroughly. When they receive their exam papers, some students rush to answer the questions without first reading the instructions. However, the first step to performing well on an examination is to read the instructions, which contain guidance on how to answer questions throughout the exam paper.
One common instruction that could prove costly if ignored is the number of questions to choose and how many are mandatory. Ignoring this instruction could cost you everything. So, read the instructions attentively and remember them throughout the exam.
5. Breathe and slow down
When handed a particularly easy paper or one that they have prepared for, many students hurry to answer the questions because they are too easy, which frequently results in answering the questions vaguely or incorrectly without recognizing them.
What you need to do is resist the impulse to answer all of the questions at once. Perhaps when you are very enthusiastic in the exam room, it is a sign that you should calm yourself down by breathing deeply.
Then you can start writing.
6. Read and understand the context of the question
Most examinations have questions that appear very similar. This can be tricky. However, if you read the question attentively, you will understand exactly what answer is required. Even if you know the proper answer, reading the question superficially can lead you to write it incorrectly.
Read a question at least twice and analyze the keywords that provide context.
7. Answer the easiest questions first
If you want to do well on the exam and not forget the things you must remember, you should answer the questions you believe are the simplest. This will save you time and keep you from forgetting the answers to difficult problems.
I take easy questions to be those that do not take much thought. Answer these quickly, then go on to the more difficult questions.
8. Answer questions with the highest marks
If you know the answers to many questions, answer the ones that will get you good grades. In the exam rooms, it’s all about getting good grades.
When deciding how many questions to answer, consider the ones that you can answer to the best of your knowledge.
For example, question four could have four parts: a, b, c, and d, with a and b worth 10 points each and a total of 15 points for all four parts. The alternative to question four is question five, which is also worth 15 points, with a and b receiving 6 points and the other two receiving 9. However, you only know a and b for both questions. In a scenario like this, answer question four.
9. Show that you know what you are doing in your answer
When answering the question, remember that you are convincing the examiner that you know the answer rather than simply writing words.
So demonstrate that you know the answer by writing the keywords that make the answer correct and relevant to the question. Every course has its own language that people in that field of study understand. Use relevant terminology in your answer. For example, the language of law differs from the language of economics. There are common terminologies that distinguish each field. Use relevant terminology in your answer.
If you’re solving a problem that requires calculations, demonstrate your work clearly and step-by-step. Writing down the formulas you’re employing will get you more marks.
10. Write with good handwriting
Good handwriting is an important exam writing technique because it improves clarity of communication. Examiners will easily see and comprehend your responses, and none will be skipped because of a lack of clarity. Examiners may also offer you points based on how well your exam answer sheet is organized.
12 Ways to Answer Different types of exam questions
Besides the 10 exam writing techniques, understanding how to answer a question depending on its type and structure is important in exam writing technique.
| Types of Questions | Definition of the questions | How to answer them |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) | MCQs are test or quiz questions that have multiple answer alternatives. Typically, one option is correct, while the others are incorrect or less preferable | Read Carefully: Read each question and all the options before selecting an answer. Elimination: Eliminate incorrect options to narrow down your choices. Key Words: Pay attention to keywords in both the question and answer options. Best Fit: Choose the option that best fits the question, not just one that seems correct. |
| 2. True/False Questions | True or false questions are a sort of closed-ended question. These questions present a statement and require the respondent to determine whether it is true or false. The structure is basic, with only two potential answers: “true” or “false.” | Be precise: Carefully analyze the statement; even a small part being false makes the whole statement false. Avoid Assumptions: Base your answer on the information provided, not on assumptions. |
| 3. Short-Answer Questions | Short-answer questions are open-ended questions in which respondents need to offer brief, concise responses to specific points or topics. | Focus on Key Points: Answer the main points asked in the question. Be Concise: Write a brief, clear response without unnecessary details. Relevance: Stick to the question and avoid irrelevant information. |
| 4. Fill in the Blank | Fill-in-the-blank questions, also known as completion or cloze questions, are a type of assessment item in which respondents are given a sentence or statement with one or more blank spaces and asked to fill in the missing information. | Read in Context: Consider the context of the sentence to choose the appropriate word. Grammar and Syntax: Ensure that the word you fill in fits grammatically and syntactically. |
| 5. Matching Questions | Matching questions are a type of assessment item where respondents are asked to connect items in one list with items in another list based on specified criteria. The goal is to match each item in the first list with its corresponding counterpart in the second list. | Connect Pairs: Establish connections between items in the lists. Elimination: Eliminate choices that do not match to make the process easier. |
| 6. Essay Questions | Essay questions are open-ended questions that require a longer and more elaborate written answer from the respondent. Unlike multiple-choice or short-answer questions, which frequently have specified correct responses, essay questions allow students to convey their understanding, analysis, and interpretation of a topic in greater depth. | Plan Your Answer: Spend a few minutes planning your response before writing. Structured Approach: Follow a clear structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Key Concepts: Focus on key concepts and use examples to support your arguments. |
| 7. Problem-Solving Questions | Problem-solving questions are intended to measure a person’s capacity to analyze, comprehend, and resolve problems. Problem-solving questions can take a variety of forms, but they usually present a scenario, challenge, or riddle that necessitates critical study and deliberate solutions. Respondents are asked to use their knowledge, analytical abilities, and creativity to develop effective answers. | Understand the problem: Carefully read and understand the problem before attempting a solution. Step-by-Step Approach: Break down the problem into smaller steps if possible. Check Your Work: Verify your solution and check for errors if time permits. |
| 8. Diagram-Based Questions | Diagram-based questions are assessment items that require the interpretation, analysis, or development of diagrams, charts, graphs, or other visual representations. These questions are frequently used to evaluate a person’s ability to comprehend and apply information given graphically. A diagram or diagrams can also be given, and students are asked to label them. | Label Clearly: Ensure that your labels are clear and match the content. Refer to the diagram. Use information from the diagram to support your answers. |
| 9. Mathematical and Computational Questions | Mathematical and computational questions are assessment items that measure a person’s knowledge of mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills, as well as their ability to analyze and solve problems using computational methods. | Show Your Work: Even if the final answer is incorrect, you may receive partial credit for the steps shown. Check Units: Pay attention to units and dimensions in your calculations. |
| 10. Critical Thinking Questions | Critical thinking questions are intended to examine a person’s capacity to think logically, evaluate information, and make sound decisions. These questions demand people to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information critically and analytically, rather than simply recalling facts. | Analyze Thoroughly: Carefully analyze the information provided before forming an opinion. Evidence-based: Support your arguments with evidence or examples. |
| 11. Vignette Questions | Vignette questions involve providing people with a brief, detailed situation or vignette and asking them to respond, analyze, or make decisions based on the information provided. These questions are often used in psychological assessments, ethical dilemmas, and situational judgment tests. | Consider All Aspects: Analyze the entire scenario, considering various perspectives. Apply Knowledge: Apply relevant concepts or theories to the given situation. |
Thank you for reading 10 exam writing techniques. If you practice these techniques, your grades will improve.
Read also: 10 tips to prepare for exams
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