1. TIPS FOR ESS
EXAMINATION
DO’S & DON”TS
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
1

2. •
•
•
•
DO’S
Clean handwriting
Use proper technical term
Use only pen(black pen)
In an exam, make sure you read the question
completely and fully understand what the
examiner wants.
• Take spare pens and pencils just in case the one
you are using stops working.
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
2

3. Sample questions
• State and explain the ways in which water is
essential fro the Plant growth
• Decide whether you live in a water-rich or
water poor part of the world.Expalin your
answer
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
3

4. • Don't carried away and overload your writing
with too many obvious connectives and
contrastive;
• Answer all questions. Ensure that you plan
your time well during the examination.
• Any doubt in the examination hall ..rise your
hands
• Highlighting major points by different color
pen
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
4

5. • Give reasons why water rich and water-poor
countries are concentrated in just two
continents
• Suggest reasons why water use is so high in
North America
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
5

6. • Look at the marks available and read the
questions carefully, following instructions
given in the paper
• Write as neatly as possible to help the
examiner to mark your work.
• For longer answers, take a few minutes
before you begin to produce a structured plan
of what you are going to include in each
section
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
6

7. • Allow yourself ten minutes at the end to read
through your answers and correct any mistakes
• Cross out anything you do not want the
examiner to read (e.g. an earlier answer to a
question)
• Don't assume you know the information by
just reviewing notes. Make it active!
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
7

8. • Understand the question in Essay Questions
Many students fail to understand or appreciate
what they are required to do.
In essay question map your answer and start it
Give detailed answer for each question
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
8

9. • Do plan what you are going to study and when
you will study it Do make to do lists.
• Write the unit for all the proper moths
questions
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
9

10. • Take the water bottle to the examination hall
and drink it when you feel that strain or
particular answer will not strikes your mind.
Drinking of water will boost your energy as it
results active in brain nerves.
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
10

11. • Include examples for Justification
• You must include some practical examples in
your answer.
• This could be a case study from an
organization, something based upon your own
experiences, or a topical event you could apply
to the answer based on something you have
seen in the media.
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
11

12. • Include flow models, diagrams and
quotations
• You must remember that flow models,
diagrams and quotations will help build and
develop your answer.
• But these need to be clearly linked back to what
the question is asking of you, and be relevant to
your argument or explanation
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
12

13. • Show both sides of the argument in Essay
Questions:
• This is particularly important when questions
invite you to evaluate or discuss and will have
arguments both “for” and “against” –
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
13

14. •
•
•
•
•
•
•
Take pride in presentation
write clearly
use a good pen
do not write in the margins
label all figures and diagrams
refer clearly to workings
use punctuation
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
14

15. And
Finally…………………………
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
15

16. Materials Required
•
•
•
•
•
•
5/15/2013
Pen (Black pen)
Pencil
Eraser
Calculator
Scale
Water bottle
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
16

17. Don’ts
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
17

18. • No washroom during the exam
• Don’t talk inside the hall
• Don’t come late
• Do not copy or involve in unfair practice in the
examination as it may lead to disqualification
from selection process at any stage
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
18

19. • Don't forget to answer the question.
• Don't go off on a tangent.
Especially in essay questions, make sure your
comments are focused toward the question, not
just barfing up everything you know on the
topic.
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
19

20. • Don't ignore the value of presentation.
The occasional misspelling or incorrect
grammar isn't something to worry about, but
illegible handwriting and tons of errors will
affect the marker's opinion of the quality of
your work.
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
20

21. • Don't run out of time.
Make a time budget as soon as you see the
exam, and make sure you attempt every
question (especially essay questions, which are
worth a lot of points).
• Do not remind yourself of the tension by
watching others
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
21

22. • Don't think that finals are the end of the world.
It isn't.
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
22

23. 5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
23

24. • Separate your initial learning
• Be strategic in studying
• Identify key topics. Focus on material you
don't know
• Set targets and dates for completion
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
24

25. • Select, organize and review key material
• Organize material to distinguish between main
topics, sub-topics, and details. Look for
relationships, connections or patterns
• Summarize it using charts, tables, mind maps
or webs, quantitative concept summaries, or
annotated notes depending on the type of
material
• Review, aka study, to build your memory
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
25

26. • Make a study plan, based on number of hours
you think you'll need
• 3 hour blocks (with a 10 minute break every
hour) work well, followed by long break (1.5-2
hours) and do it again - - 9 hours max. a day!!
• Distribute study hours across several days,
studying 2 or 3 courses a day
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
26

27. • Write a practice exam, under the same
conditions (duration, exam aids)
• Make up your own questions, based on
learning objectives of the course.
• Use old exams and assignments, review
questions from text
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
27

28. • Use relaxation techniques to calm your
mind and body, and permit clear thinking.
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
28

29. • Before the exam
• Revision, not re-learning
• Prepare a pre-examination study timetable. Share your
time between subjects.
• Listen for verbal clues offered in lectures and tutorials.
• Study actively-verbalise and visualize your revision.
• Aim for understanding, not just memorizing the
material.
• Use concept maps/diagrams.
• Work in groups and individually.
• Identify problem areas and work on these.
• Revise tutorial problems.
• Take effective breaks (planned and limited) - regular
exercise is good for this.
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
29

30. During the exam
• During reading time
• Read the entire paper thoroughly.
• Allocate time proportionally to the value of each
question.
• After reading time
• Tick and order the questions you plan to answer.
• Re-read the questions and underline key words
and phrases.
• Write notes/brief outline answers in your exam
booklet.
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
30

31. When answering questions
• Number answers clearly and accurately.
• Work thoroughly but rapidly.
• Answer the hardest questions first particularly if
they are worth the most marks.
• Use other questions for clues.
• Notice where words/figures are emphasized.
• Find the themes, relate these to the course
objectives.
• Identify formulae and equations presented in
words.
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
31

32. Essay/short answer questions
• Keep time allocations proportional to marks.
• Provide definitions where necessary.
• Identify key concepts.
• Give examples.
• Write clearly and simply
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
32

33. Before the exam finishes
• Re-attempt questions you found too difficult at first.
• Make sure the examiner can read your answers and
diagrams.
• Never leave the exam early.
• Use spare time to thoroughly check your answers.
• Make sure your name and ID number are marked
clearly on all papers.
• If you are running out of time never omit a
question completely. Give the examiner an outline
of how you planned to answer a question/the
remainder of the question.
5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
33

34. 5/15/2013
Author -Guru
IB/ESS
34