STUDY SKILLS AND EXAMINATION TECHNIQUES
Ø The surest way to examination success is to prepare yourself adequately, through the practising of
examination questions and careful revision of relevant material.
ü Revision is very much a personal affair and each student must use methods which suit him or her. Try
as many variations as possible and then select those which bring the best result. Use tests and
examinations.
At O-Level, success is achieved by the gradual accumulation of knowledge and understanding thought the
course. The volume of information is too vast for it all to be absorbed during a few weeks ‘revision prior to
the examinations. Try to read over notes daily and if possible the whole week’s work during the weekend.
Prepare for tests thoroughly.
Always revise thoroughly for all examinations and analyse your results. If they are poor, change your revision
methods to discover other methods of revising it is often necessary to discuss the matter with others. Do not
assume that the most successful student has the best method. They may simply be brighter than you and in
any case their technique may not suit you. Try to experiment with as many styles as possible.
1. Work in a place with the least likelihood of distraction. Choose times to revise when you are less
likely to be distracted.
2. Do not work for too long at one session
3. Take a short break of 10 – 15 minutes between each session of revision.
4. During the revision session do not allow yourself to be distracted. Be aware of displacement
activities. These are various activities which you carry out in order to bring relief from work. Revision
is often boring and tedious and you will sub-consciously be looking for a means of avoiding it. You will
hardly starve or die of thirst before your next break. There is no need to get up and look out the
window every time there is a noise to see whether or not it is raining and the cleaning of your shoes
is not urgent.
5. Vary the revision by changing topics or subjects from time to time. Variety may reduce boredom.
6. Test yourself periodically or get others to do so.
7. Practise problems or essays, preferably from past papers. Do them within the allocated time so you
can practise working within time limits
PREDICTING QUESTIONS IS A RISKY BUSINESS AND NOT WORTH THE GAMBLE.
Ø Poor examination technique is often put forward as the reason for a disappointing result. It is
certainly true that without the necessary skills, students may not perform as well as they should. It is
important to isolate weaknesses in technique at each examination and take measures to correct
them.
ü Examination technique commences early during the course.
There are a number of rules to observe when sitting the actual papers.
1. Read all instructions carefully. Do not assume them to be exactly the same as those you have seen
on past papers.
2. Act on any guidance given in the general instructions…..need for orderly presentation
3. Read all questions with care. Be sure you understand what the question requires before answering
4. When there is a choice of questions read all the questions first before making any selection. Read the
paper a second time, making your choices and finally read the selected questions a third time to
ensure you have chosen the ones you are competent to answer. Answer question in any order but
number them correctly and clearly.
5. Try to isolate the key word or words in a question and answer precisely in accordance with them
6. Try to be completely relevant, clear and concise in your answers. Do not ramble aimlessly
7. Check during the last quarter of a paper that you have followed all instructions carefully and have
answered the required number of questions.
It is important for candidates to appreciate the wording of a question. Each word has a precise meaning
which must be understood and complied with if success is to be achieved. Some of these words are:
DESCRIBE, EXPLAIN, COMPARE, DISTINGUISH, OUTLINE etc.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
They comprise a statement or question followed by four alternative answers from which the candidate is
required to select the correct one. In some cases all answers may be accurate to a greater or lesser extent, in
which case the candidate must choose the best available response. It is particularly important therefore that
you consider all options. Mistakes could arise if a candidate decides upon one of the answers and does not
bother to read those which follow; one of these may be an even better response
ü The best approach to multiple choice questions is to read through the whole question and alternative
responses first. On reading a second time, reject responses you think are incorrect. Always reject on a
sound biological basis and not because they do not seem to fit or because the correct response is
unlikely to be C for the sixth consecutive time. Should you be left with two answers, and are unable
to decide between them, at least guess rather than leave the answer blank.
STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
Answers should be especially concise. It is the content of the answer rather than the style which is being
tested. Responses must be comprehensible but too much attention need not be paid to grammar and note
style answers are normally acceptable. Use space allocated in the answer book as a guide to the length of
answer required
ESSAY QUESTIONS
They tend to be open-ended and give much scope for a candidate to demonstrate their knowledge. Students
must ensure that they do not digress from the main theme of the question.
Candidates should nevertheless give some forethought to each part and note down the key points to be
made before attempting to answer. The different parts should be answered separately, each being clearly
labelled.
ü Do not use the same information in two different parts of the answer; you will not be given credit
twice
COMMUNICATING INFORMATION
There is little point in developing studying and examination techniques but then being unable to
communicate it effectively to others.
Ø Follow all procedures/ instructions for tables and graphs.
ü Diagrams and drawings are an essential aid in science. Some questions specifically ask for diagrams
and in such a case a diagram MUST be included. Sometimes drawings are not specifically requested.
Do not make drawings for the sake of it, only include them where they are entirely relevant to the
main theme of a question and they increase the understanding of the reader. If drawings are
included they should be drawn well, fully labelled or annotated, rough sketches don’t bring credit
Ø TASK: DESIGN A TIMETABLE IN WHICH YOU READ
EVERYTHING IN ONE WEEK AND FOLLOW IT.
