Test-Taking Strategies

14: Essay Exam Strategies

14 Essay Exam Strategies Many people think that essay exams are the least biased in favor of testwise students. But the truth is that testwise students can rack up extra points on essay exams as easily as they can on any other kind of test. First, prepare for every essay exam. We included several strategies for that in Chapter 1. Then, during the exam, get organized. You can raise your score significantly if you organize your answers and work efficiently. Ironically, the most efficient way to answer essay questions is not to grab your pen and write nonstop. Here are the strategies that have worked for naturally testwise students; they will also work for you. STRATEGY 1: FIND OUT WHO IS GRADING THE ESSAYS It pays to take into account who will be marking your essay exam. If it's your teacher or teaching assistant, you'll 75 76 TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES know what kind of answers the individual likes; for example, lots of details, lots of philosophical interpretations, lots of new outlooks on old topics, or simply rewrites of everything you've had in lectures. On the other hand, if a stranger is going to be reading your essay exam, don't take chances. Don't spout unpopular viewpoints. Don't start to reinterpret basic aspects of the subject. Don't skimp on specific facts. The more facts you include, the more people assume you know about a subject. STRATEGY 2: READ ALL THE QUESTIONS Before you begin to answer any essay question, read them all. Take a minute or two to list what you know about each question. Use one word or a short phrase for each and jot down all the relevant facts, formulas, names, dates, ideas, and impressions that come to mind. This serves three important functions: • It gets everything down on paper while you are relaxed. This prevents the horrible situation that sometimes occurs-when you get so involved in the answer for one question that your mind blocks out the information you need for the next question. • It shows graphically how much you know about each question. That way, if you have to choose which questions to answer-a popular essay test format-you'll be able to choose the ones you know the most about. • It starts your memory flowing. That way, while you're answering one question your mind may be dredging up facts and interpretations for other questions. If that happens, by the way, be sure to jot down the new information on your list; otherwise you may forget about it later on or have to work so hard at remember- Essay Exam Strategies 77 ing it again that you'll have less time to spend on the actual answer. STRATEGY 3: REREAD THE DIRECTIONS Go back and read the directions one more time. Make sure you understand them. Underline or jot down key words so you can refer back to them quickly. We'd underline: use both sides of the paper,' choose one from section A and two from section B,' cite at least three major researchers. It's a good idea to reread the directions before you start each new question. There's no sense in losing points for failure to follow simple instructions. STRATEGY 4: BUDGET YOUR TIME If all questions are worth the same number of points, divide your time equally among all the answers. (If some questions are worth more than others, keep that in mind as you budget your time.) Then, divide up your time for each answer so that you spend 50 percent of it outlining your answer and 50 percent writing. This advice may sound strange at first, but it's really the key to higher marks. Researchers have found that essay exam graders-even those trained by the College Board to correct SAT essays-give most credit for content, second most credit for organization. Content and organization together account for most of your essay's grade. Spelling, grammar, and mechanics usually make up a very small part of your overall test grade, though a few English teachers count them a great deal. A good outline is the key to getting all your content down on paper and to getting it there as well organized as possible. It's also the fastest and most accurate way of working. That's 78 TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES why we advise you to spend half...