Strategies for Essay Exams

Final exams are fast approaching!  Many students know the information but do not do well on an essay exam.   Here are some strategies that will help you showcase what you know:

·         Read the question carefully and number the individual parts of the question.

·         Answer each part in order – do not try to write a global answer mixing everything up.

·         Make a brief outline before starting to write.  If you jump into the answer without too much thought you may not answer all the parts of the question and may write yourself totally off topic.

·         Remember that your goal is to show the professor how well you know the information, so don’t leave out important information because you know they already know it.

·         Help the reader (your professor) along by using signal words and spacing.  You want him or her to easily understand your answer and be able to identify all of the important points asked for in the prompt.

·         Watch the time.  Look at the entire exam and figure out how much time you can spend on each section.

·         Before handing it in, take a few minutes to reread your answers and be sure they are clear and that all parts of the questions have been answered.

The first and most important step to a good grade is your preparation, but how you present the answer can also make a difference in your grade.

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First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your Frist Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.