Essay ExamsBefore the Exam
Being well-prepared is the most valuable tool that you
can possess for an essay exam. It is important for you to keep up
with readings throughout the semester, attend class regularly, listen
to the lectures given, and take adequate and readable notes.
If and when the instructor talks about the essay, you should listen
very carefully and jot down anything that sounds remotely important.
Then, using clues provided by the instructor and perusing past lecture
notes, you should try to predict the exam question or questions. While
reviewing lecture notes, you should pay special attention to points
that the instructor seemed to truly emphasize. Consider these points
potential essay questions.
After predicting some potential questions, think about whether or
not you could effectively answer them on the exam. Practice – answer
each question and run through your responses a couple of times. By
beginning well in advance, you are assuring that you will be adequately
prepared for the exam.
If you are allowed to use text materials and/or lecture notes on
the exam, be sure to use them to your benefit by “prepping” them
for the exam. A couple of days before the exam, skim over your text
and lecture notes to make sure that key points are notated or highlighted.
Also, devise a method that will help you to easily access quotes and
other necessary information rather quickly during the exam. Some people
choose to write the page numbers of important quotes on the cover
page of their text so that they have their own index of viable information.
Others use colored tabs to mark important pages. Either method is
sufficient. It all boils down to what method works for you –being
well-prepared saves time and energy in the long run.
Continue to During the Exam
Copyright 2003 by the Academic Center and
the University of Houston-Victoria.
Created 2003 by Candice Chovanec Melzow. |
