Reviewing for an
Essay Exam
Preparing for an essay
or short answer exam is different than preparing for a multiple-choice
exam. The two exam styles test
different types of knowledge and thus require different preparatory patterns. According to Bloom's Taxonomy there is a
hierarchy of learning, ranging from "knowledge" to
"Evaluation." Multiple-choice
exams generally evaluate student learning at the level of knowledge and
comprehension - the ability to remember and understand material. Thus, rote memorization and drilling of
facts is an apt strategy for multiple-choice exams.
Essay exams
attempt to evaluate learning at the level of application and analysis - the
ability of students to apply, analyze and sometimes evaluate the information
from class. Essays ask students to make
an argument of some kind about the subject they have learned about. This "argument" can take the form
of comparing and contrasting two competing theories, or applying a theory to a
specific, real-world example.
Regardless or the type of question, the student is asked to contribute
original intellectual work in the production of an answer. Simply reiterating facts learned in class
will not be enough for an "A" grade; students must also analyze and
make use of learned materials in order to gain full points.
When
studying for an essay exam students should be more attentive to larger themes
of a course, theories and methods presented.
Though students will still be expected to be able to remember facts and
definitions, this material is to be used as proof to bolster the argument they
are making in their essay. Below you
will find some tips for studying for essay exams and for writing essays.
Studying
- Good studying starts with good notes. Attend class regularly and keep organized and detailed notes. If the instructor takes the time to define a term or write it on the board, it is likely important.
- Outline the chapters from your reading. Make note of the structure used in the text. Which ideas flow into or support others? Do some ideas and theories contradict other ideas or theories? Highlight key words.
- Identify key theories and concepts. Make certain you understand these theories, how and why they originated and how the discipline applies the theory.
- Most disciplines can be conceptualized as a long, ongoing conversation. Theories and concepts speak to each other. They build upon, respond to, or refute each other. Try to find the ways that the concepts you are learning about fit together - it is likely that these intersecting or contradicting points will be what are asked about in an essay exam.
- Practice writing essays. Make up your own sample questions that might be asked on the test (the action of doing this is a form of studying in itself) and then practice writing out answers. Give yourself the amount of time that you will have for the actual test, do not refer to your study materials while writing the answers. Review what you have written for gaps in your knowledge.
- Get a good night’s sleep before the test. Eat breakfast, and stop reviewing for the exam one hour prior to exam time. Without sufficient rest you will not be able to access the information you have been studying, the organization and clarity of your responses will suffer. Your brain requires time to process and store information for retrieval, thus it is best to study over time for a test rather than "cramming" for the exam.
Writing
When presented with an essay exam it is important to
remember these four steps - Read, Rephrase, Outline, and Write.[1] Above all, remain calm and take the test one
question at a time.
- Read all the essay questions carefully, paying special attention to the key words (analyze, compare, contrast, criticize, compare, defend, define, describe, discuss and review, distinguish, evaluate, explain and show, illustrate, justify, prove, summarize, trace[2]).
- Rephrase the question into the central idea for your essay answer.
- Think before you write. Jot down all the important information and work it into a brief outline. Do this on the back of the test sheet, in the margin, on a piece of scrap paper, or in the bluebook before beginning the essay.
- Write concisely without using abbreviations or nonstandard language. Emphasize those areas of the subject you are most sure of. Keep your test paper neat with reasonable margins. Neatness is always important; readability is a must, especially on an exam. Revise and proofread as carefully and completely as time will permit. Refer back to the question often to be certain you have answered all parts. Be certain to deploy examples from class and/or real life to bolster your assertions with proof.
- Budget your time. If the test consists of multiple questions and you are stuck or uncertain of one question, skip it and come back to it after answering the other questions. Learn which strategies work for you - some students prefer to answer short questions quickly first. Others get the longer essay question out of the way first. Whichever, strategy you choose, be aware of the distribution of points. Do not spend a disproportionate amount of time on a question that is not worth a great deal of your grade.
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