Exam techniques & strategies

The following guide has been created for you by the Skills for Academic Success Team. For more detailed guidance and to speak to one of our advisers, please book an appointment or join one of our workshops. Alternatively, have a look at our SkillBuilder skills videos.

• Number of exams
• Exam dates and times
• Duration of exams
• Exam/coursework weighting
• Credits of modules
• Type of exams – e.g. essays/multiple choice/ problem questions/ exercises

Please see the guide on revision planning and strategies it is important that you have:

• Developed an understanding of each exam topic.
• Memorised key elements needed to complete the exam.
• Given yourself some exam practice.

• Try not to cram revise unless you really have to, it is important to get a good night sleep.
• Check exam details - location, time, any required equipment.
• Plan your route and schedule if you are having to travel to an exam location – leave plenty of time for issues with parking, buses etc. If you are sitting your exam at home try to get the area prepared in plenty of time.
• Pack or prepare everything you need for the exam e.g. water, student ID, any medication you take, any required equipment eg. calculators, pens etc.
• Plan your arrival. You will only be allowed to bring small items such as your phone, wallet, bottle of water in to the exam hall. If you arrive on campus with a bag you MUST place this in one of the lockers available on campus: Lockers and bag drops. Be sure to arrive on time to organise this.
• Get a good night’s sleep.

• Avoid large quantities of caffeine or sugar, as this is likely to give you a crash in energy.
• Eat breakfast/lunch before your exam.
• Arrive in plenty of time to store your bag (if you have brought one with you: Lockers and bag drops)
• Confirm the exam venue and aim to arrive at least 15 minutes in advance of the start of the exam.
• If you are in an exam hall, ensure that you sit  in the right seat and have the correct paper.
• Pay attention to any instructions given by the invigilators prior to the exam.        

• Read the information on the exam paper very carefully, you need to ensure you follow all instructions accurately.
• Look at the weighting of questions (the exam marks given to each) if there are any, it may be worth attempting the questions with highest points first - on a scrap paper you might wish to plan your order. 
• It is worth spending a few minutes dividing the exam time between the tasks/questions you have to complete, this will give you mini deadlines to follow. Ensure you allow some time at the end for reading through/checking your responses. 

Planning

1. Divide the exam time between the number of questions you have, allowing a little extra time at the beginning for skim-reading the paper and at the end for checking your responses. This will give you a rough idea of how long you have to answer each question, so that you can keep to time.

2. Skim-read the paper and questions:

• Make a note of the question numbers that you are certain you can answer correctly straight away.
• If you think of a piece of information or point related to a question, make a very brief note of what you think of with the question number.

Answering questions

• If there is no weighting for particular questions, start with the questions you are certain of the answers to.
• You may then wish to go onto the questions where you recorded some information for.
• You may wish to end with the questions you are not sure of.
• It is usually better to answer all questions, even if you are not sure of the answer, but check that you do not get points deducted for wrong answers.
• Try to allow time for editing/going back through answers.

Essay prep & planning 

You will usually get approximately 1 hour to complete most exam essays, this allows for: 5-10 minutes planning; 40-45 minutes writing and 5-10 minutes for editing and proof-reading.

1. Read through all the questions and select correct number to answer. Re-read your chosen questions carefully, ensure you:

• Know what to do.
• Can answer all parts of the question.
• Understand the instructional verb (e.g. ‘discuss’, 'compare', 'analyse') so you know what you are going to do with the topic.

2. Start with the easiest question.

3. Note down any thoughts in response:

• Key points or arguments.
• Theories (names/dates).
• Evidence/examples/case studies (names/dates).
• Connections to module learning outcomes.

4. Make an essay plan:

• Decide on which thoughts are relevant to your exam question.
• Group these ideas, evidence and examples into themes or key points.
• Arrange them in a logical order.
• Structure your answer – introduction --> 4-5 paragraphs --> conclusion.

Writing 

1. Label your answer (you don’t need to write out the question).

2. Write up your answer according to your essay plan following your time plan. 

• Write on every other line to allow room for corrections.
• If you get stuck, look at your essay plan and re-read your answer so far.
• If you run out of time, write up your remaining ideas in bullet points or notes, but write a short conclusion in full sentences.

Editing & proofreading 

• Allow 5-10 minutes to re-read your answer and edit/correct/amend it.
• Cross out any rough drafts or notes that you don’t want to be considered.

The following table offers guidance on different scenarios you may need to recover from.