That makes sense, doesn?t it?

Sometimes a question can be subdivided in two parts. For example: ?Calculate the following ratios for 2009 and 2010 and comment on possible reasons for the change. ?

An answer merely calculating the ratios is incomplete. You are missing out on easy marks when you are omitting the comments altogether.

2)      Time management

Time management is of course absolutely crucial for exams, because you do not have unlimited time. 

Allocate the time you have in proportion to the question you are answering. See for example the table below:

Example: Exam duration: 3 hours (=180 minutes => 1.8 minutes per question)

3)      Attempt all questions

If you have now started with question 1 in the above example, which is 40 marks, and you have already spent about 72 minutes on that question, but you have more to say about that question, which would occupy you for approximately another 5 minutes, consider your options carefully evaluating the following factors:

·         Taking this additional time, will reduce the time available for other questions.

·         Are the additional points you want to make relevant for the question and will they score additional marks for you?

It is generally easier to score a few marks on each question, then to score full marks on one question.

My tip in this situation would be to move on to the next question and to come back to this question after having at least attempted all of the other questions.

4)      Deciding on optional question

Sometimes exams include optional questions of which you have to choose one question to answer.

Two tips for this situation:

·         Decide quickly

Do not spend too much time deciding on the question, as exam time is valuable time. If they contain a lot of text, I would not even read both options completely. Just scroll down to the tasks and identify the general topic and base your choice on that and focus on the question you have chosen.

·         Never answer both questions

This is completely pointless as only one answer will be taken into account for the overall mark. Even if you have time left at the end of the exam, this time is better spent refining and proofreading your given answers.

5)      Use reading time efficiently

Often you are given 15 minutes reading time at the beginning of the exam. This time does not form part of the 2 or 3 hours (depends on the exam) allocated to the exam. During this time you are allowed to read the questions and take notes on the question sheet. You are not allowed to start answering questions or writing anything in your exam books.

An inefficient way of using this time is to simply start answering the first question and then copying the answer in the exam book ones you are allowed to write.

I would recommend to use this time to look at all the requirements and to identify the questions you feel most comfortable with. These should be the questions you should answer first.

If there are optional questions to choose from the selection could also be done during reading time.

If there is still reading time left, start reading the question you chose to answer first and make notes next to it, that will help you for your answer.

6)      Don?t panic

Panic is completely contra productive during an exam. Try to avoid panicking. After all it is just an exam and you are attempting to give your best given the circumstances.

Remember this:

·         Partly answered questions will score marks

·         There are marks available for simple things like the proforma of the income statement or the balance sheet (depends on the question)

·         Many hints of what to comment on can sometimes be found in the text that accompanies the question.

·         Balance sheets do not usually balance in exams. That is absolutely normal and there is no point in looking for the error, which may be one mark lost. Rather move on to the next question.

·         Sometimes a solution is given. For example the question is divided in two parts: one part asks you to calculate the NPV of two projects and the second part asks you to choose the better investment and justify the selection. For you to be able to answer only the second part of the question, the result of the NPV calculation could be given in the answer.

If you now do the calculation and do not arrive at the same result, just answer the second part based on the given figure. Again, don?t spend too much time looking for your mistake which might be insignificant.

At first I wanted to finish this blog post with the words ?Good luck?, but then again I thought, if you know your stuff and get the exam technique right, you do not need luck.

However, a little bit of luck maybe useful and if not it is not destructive either, so why not?

Good luck!

2)      Work on your weaknesses

a.       If the problem was that you had gaps in the subject knowledge or that you did not understand areas of the syllabus correctly, get out your books and notes again. Don?t hesitate to contact your tutor or your course mates with questions.

b.      Sometimes the problem is that you had the wrong approach in the exam. Maybe your questions were too short or too long or contained too much theory or not enough theory?.

c.       Did you have the right exam technique? Was time an issue? Did you answer the questions? (See blog post on exam techniques)

d.      Whatever your weakness was, try to overcome it and get it right for the resit.

3)      Do not loose motivation!

a.       When you learn the stuff for the second time, it becomes easier!

b.      With the right preparation and exam technique, this exam will be very easy!

The base of the institutional reviews is the Academic Infrastructure.  This is comprises of four components:  

The Academic Infrastructure is a  set of nationally agreed reference points and is used by HE institutions as the base for policies and procedures that  ensure standards and quality are maintained and enhanced.   

For further information on the above components please follow the links below:

Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications (FEHQ)

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/FHEQ/EWNI08/default.asp#p1

Code of Practice

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/codeOfPractice/default.asp

Subject Bench Mark Statements

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/benchmark/default.asp

Programme Specifications

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/programSpec/default.asp

Be confident, you will do well, I am sure.

, switch it all off for a while and force yourself not to check out your facebook for a few hours.

Think about how annoyed you will be with yourself, if after 3 hours you allocated to work on your assignment, you actually find, you have just been messaging with all sorts of people but not made any progress with your work.

5.       Often the difficulty is to get started once you?re on the track you keep rolling more easily.

6.       If you fear failure, lower your expectations. You do not have to be perfect. Do what is possible for you and it will be better than nothing, clearly.  

7.       If you dislike the task, you will feel better once you got it out of the way and maybe once you got started, you even enjoy working on it.

8.       If it all possible, try to trick yourself enjoying it.

Now, that?s enough reading around on the ECBM blog!

Go back to your to do list. You can do it! Go and kill that assignment!