How to improve your answer sheet and get good marks| Exam writing and answering tips

Summary

This video provides valuable tips for students to improve the presentation of their exam answer sheets, potentially increasing their scores by 5 to 10 marks. The advice includes starting with the best-known answers, keeping the sheet neat, highlighting key points, and using clear formatting such as underlining and bullet points. The video emphasizes the importance of logical organization, like answering all parts of a question together and marking extra questions as 'extra'. Practical tips for numerical problems, including showing rough work clearly, and making sure to indicate when answers continue on another page, are also covered. By applying these techniques, students can leave a positive impression on the evaluator.

Takeaways

• 😀 Understand that an exam is a communication between you and the evaluator, and your answer sheet is your platform to express your knowledge.
• 😀 Start with your best answers to create a positive first impression, which will set the tone for the rest of the exam.
• 😀 Keep your answer sheet clean and neat by striking off incorrect answers completely, with a box around them to indicate they are wrong.
• 😀 Clearly write the question numbers inside the margin and highlight them with underlining or a box to ensure they are visible, especially in scanned papers.
• 😀 Underline or draw a line after completing each answer to signal that the answer is finished, helping the evaluator focus on individual answers.
• 😀 Use bullet points and side headings for theoretical questions to improve organization and readability for the evaluator.
• 😀 Answer all parts of a question together (e.g., 3a, 3b, 3c) to avoid confusion and ensure that the evaluator can assess each part properly.
• 😀 If an answer continues on the next page, write 'PTO' at the bottom of the page to indicate the continuation of the answer.
• 😀 Highlight important points in your answers using arrows or stars to draw attention to key elements that are crucial for full marks.
• 😀 Clearly mark any extra questions as 'Extra' in bold to avoid confusion and ensure the evaluator recognizes it as an additional answer.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of an examination, according to the script?

The main purpose of an examination is to test the student's knowledge and understanding of a topic, including the depth of their understanding.

How should students approach their answer sheet during an exam?

Students should treat the answer sheet as a medium to communicate their thoughts to the evaluator, presenting their knowledge clearly and efficiently.

Why is it important to understand the evaluator's perspective?

Evaluators often have limited time to review each paper, typically 5-10 minutes. By understanding their perspective, students can structure their answers to capture attention and highlight key points efficiently.

How can students create a strong first impression in their answer sheet?

Students should start with their best answers, as the first impression often sets the tone for the evaluator's perception of the paper.

What should students do if they make a mistake in their answer?

If students make a mistake, they should strike through the incorrect part completely, potentially drawing a box around it to clearly indicate that it is wrong.

What is the recommended way to number questions in an exam paper?

Students should write the question numbers inside the margin on the left side and highlight them by underlining or boxing them to ensure clarity, especially when papers are scanned.

Why is underlining or drawing a line after each answer important?

Underlining or drawing a line after each answer signals to the evaluator that the answer is complete, helping them demarcate different sections of the paper and assign marks accurately.

What is the advantage of using side headings and bullet points for theoretical answers?

Side headings and bullet points make theoretical answers more organized and easier for the evaluator to follow, improving the clarity and presentation of the response.

What should students do if a question has multiple parts (e.g., 3a, 3b, 3c)?

Students should answer all parts of the question together, rather than scattering them across the paper. This makes it easier for the evaluator to follow and ensures no parts of the question are missed.

What should students do if their answer continues on the next page?

Students should write 'PTO' (Please Turn Over) at the bottom of the page to indicate that the answer continues, helping the evaluator follow the response seamlessly.

How can students draw attention to important points in their answers?

Students can use underlining, arrows, stars, or other marks to highlight important points in their answers, ensuring that the evaluator notices these key pieces of information.

Why should students write rough work in the margin or near the main answer?

Writing rough work in the margin or near the main answer helps the evaluator understand the thought process behind calculations or problem-solving steps, avoiding confusion and ensuring transparency.

What is the recommended approach for answering extra questions in an exam?

If answering an extra question, students should clearly mark it as 'Extra' in bold so the evaluator knows it is intentional and part of their response.

How should students handle questions they are less confident about?

Students should write the answers to questions they are less confident about at the bottom of the paper to avoid disrupting the flow of their better answers and to help maintain a consistent tempo.

What is the purpose of drawing a line at the end of the answer sheet?

Drawing a line at the end of the answer sheet signals that the paper is complete, providing a clear end point for the evaluator.