Special Suggestions for Essay Tests
Read all the questions through rapidly, jotting
down beside each question any pertinent facts or ideas which occur to you.
The best way to ensure that your answers do not overlap each other is to
survey the entire test before answering any of the questions.
Estimate the time that you will have for each
question according to the relative difficulty and importance of all
questions. Then keep track of your time so that you don't spend too much
time on any one question.
Answer the easiest questions first and
concentrate on answering one question at a time. Getting down to work on
something you can handle is the surest way to reduce your test anxiety.
Decide what kind of answer the question requires
before you begin writing. Action verbs such as "illustrate", "list",
"define", "compare", "trace", "explain", and "identify" require different
approaches to answering.
Before you start writing, make a brief, logical
outline for your answer to ensure good organization and prevent careless
omissions. It's not how much you say but what you say and how well you say
it that counts.
Get down to business in your first paragraph and
avoid long-winded introductions. Your aim in answering most essay questions
is to get down the maximum amount of point-earning information in the
shortest possible time.
Where appropriate, include factual details to
support your answer. These impress your instructor by giving evidence that
you really know what you are talking about.
Write legible, complete sentences and paragraphs.
Leave space after each question for additional
information which may occur to you later.
Re-read your answers -- do they say what you
intended? Correct all grammar and spelling errors.
If you run out of time, outline the remaining
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