Assignment: Taking Essay Exams: Step 3- Look At The Exam Carefully And Do Several Things

Study Skills 101
2022-08-27T21:57:10Z

Due: Aug 1, 2022 by 11:59pm

1. Carefully read the directions noting how long you have to complete the exam.

2. Divide the number of questions by how long you have to complete the exam. If you have three sections, allow the most time for essay questions, the next longest amount for short answers, and the least amount of time for multiple choice questions. For example, you have ten multiple choice questions, ten short answer questions, and two essays. Your exam is exactly 1 hour. You may want to allow 10 minutes for the multiple choice questions, 10 minutes for your short answers, and 40 minutes for your essays—dividing up the time this way gives you 20 minutes for each essay. You may only need 5 minutes for the multiple choice questions, giving you extra time for your essays. Multiple choice questions tend to go quickly.

3. Scan over the entire exam.

4. Pay special attention to direction words (compare, illustrate, list, and so on). You want to ensure your response answers the question the way it requires.

5. You could start with your most straightforward question so that it builds your confidence and momentum.

An Illustration of Step 3:

When Carl received the exam, he circled the direction word describe, meaning that he should explain each of the seven hints in detail. He also jotted a 30 in the margin when the teacher said the students would have a half-hour to write the answer.

Direction Words Used in Essay Questions

(Langan, 1978/1989, p. 238)

Please watch "1. Understanding The Essay Prompt" below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oegC9JWi2xw

Then complete the Taking Essay Exams: Looking at The Exam Quiz.

You May Access The Quiz Here

Reference:

1. Understanding the Essay Prompt. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. Retrieved March 10, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oegC9JWi2xw

Langan, J. (1989). Reading and study skills (pp. 237-238). Mcgraw-Hill. (Original work published 1978)

1. Carefully read the directions noting how long you have to complete the exam.

2. Divide the number of questions by how long you have to complete the exam. If you have three sections, allow the most time for essay questions, the next longest amount for short answers, and the least amount of time for multiple choice questions. For example, you have ten multiple choice questions, ten short answer questions, and two essays. Your exam is exactly 1 hour. You may want to allow 10 minutes for the multiple choice questions, 10 minutes for your short answers, and 40 minutes for your essays—dividing up the time this way gives you 20 minutes for each essay. You may only need 5 minutes for the multiple choice questions, giving you extra time for your essays. Multiple choice questions tend to go quickly.

3. Scan over the entire exam.

4. Pay special attention to direction words (compare, illustrate, list, and so on). You want to ensure your response answers the question the way it requires.

5. You could start with your most straightforward question so that it builds your confidence and momentum.

An Illustration of Step 3:

When Carl received the exam, he circled the direction word describe, meaning that he should explain each of the seven hints in detail. He also jotted a 30 in the margin when the teacher said the students would have a half-hour to write the answer.

Direction Words Used in Essay Questions

(Langan, 1978/1989, p. 238)

Please watch "1. Understanding The Essay Prompt" below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oegC9JWi2xw

Then complete the Taking Essay Exams: Looking at The Exam Quiz.

You May Access The Quiz Here

Reference:

1. Understanding the Essay Prompt. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. Retrieved March 10, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oegC9JWi2xw

Langan, J. (1989). Reading and study skills (pp. 237-238). Mcgraw-Hill. (Original work published 1978)