STUDENT CAREERS &
SKILLS
Exam Writing: Economics
Masters Academic Writing
Dr Amanda Randall
STUDENT CAREERS &
SKILLS
Aims of this session
• Tips on getting prepared in advance of
the exam
– revision strategies to try out.
• Strategies during the exam, including :
– Time management
– Choosing and answering the question –
some dos and don’ts.
• Common errors.
STUDENT CAREERS &
SKILLS
Preparing for exam writing
• Know what the course is covering!
• Marking criteria/assessment criteria.
• Talk to tutors/lecturers.
• Past Papers (available on departmental website).
• Critical Approach (e.g. evidenced critical analysis/ synthesis/ evaluation .... looking at questions from different viewpoints, comparing & contrasting, strengths / weaknesses, WAWOS)
• Answer the questions set not the questions you want! What; Agree; Why; Other hand: Summary
http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/study/exam/1.1.xml
STUDENT CAREERS &
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Stages in Revision
Revision process has three or more phases:
• Phase 1: Information gathering
– Takes the longest, so begin early
• Phase 2: Revisit & remodel notes
• Phase 3: Revisit & remodel notes again
STUDENT CAREERS &
SKILLS
Make a revision timetable
• Work backwards from exam date
• Keep it simple (KIS)
• Be flexible
• Be realistic
• Plan for the unexpected
• Remember- you are in charge of the
timetable not the other way around!
STUDENT CAREERS &
SKILLS
Making your revision notes
1. Read your key texts/materials
(essential reading on reading lists)
2. Content of lectures and seminars
3. Worksheets
4. Identify key themes, key words/formulae etc,
5. Start making revision notes:
– Factual Revision notes
– Calculations/procedures/formulae
– Critical Revision Notes
– Key References
Chunk it down.
Actively engage with material
Make it your own
Phase 1
STUDENT CAREERS &
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Factual revision notes
• What /Where /Who /When /Why /How etc.
• Formulae / calculations / procedures.
Some possible methods:
Lists Mnemonics
Mindmaps Journey Pegs
Timelines Pod casts/audio
Rhymes/slogans ANKI http://ankisrs.net
Bad Beer Rots Our Young Guts But Vodka Goes Well (in) Silver Goblets.
STUDENT CAREERS &
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Mindmapping software
STUDENT CAREERS &
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STUDENT CAREERS &
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Critical revision notes
• Theories/ viewpoints / strengths / weaknesses etc.
• Assessment / analysis / comparison / evaluation.
Some possible methods:
• Comparison lists
• SWOT analysis type charts
• Mindmaps
• WAWOS
STUDENT CAREERS &
SKILLS
STUDENT CAREERS &
SKILLS
• Shrink your notes 3:1
• Rule of one• The intervals between revision sessions should
gradually increase.
• Do practice questions with your notes (handwriting practice).
– Past papers, or invent your own
Review your notes
Phase 2
STUDENT CAREERS &
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Recall
• During a revision period, you recall most of
what you learned at the beginning and end of
each session.
– Optimal time for focussed revision is 20 – 40
mins.
• Two breaks in one hour is more effective than
one break – 3 beginnings and three ends vs.
one break in an hour (=two beginnings and two
ends)
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Regular Review
These intervals may well be
shorter!
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Review notes again
• Reduce your notes further
• Do timed practice questions without your notes (handwriting practice).
• Study buddy.
• Focus more on exam strategies
Phase 3
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Before the day / on the day
• Check start time & venue.
• Equipment.
• Arrive in plenty of time.
• Read the instructions.
• Answer the correct number of questions.
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Time management in the exam
• Plan your time carefully – e.g.
4 questions in 3 hours: 180 minutes:
10 minutes choosing questions
40 minutes per question
10 minutes checking time at end
• Do your time management planning in
advance.
• Write down the finishing time for each question
& keep to it.
– if necessary come back to the question later.
STUDENT CAREERS &
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Choosing your questions
• Read through the whole paper, not just the
parts that you think you might be interested in.
• If you need to answer a question from each
section, glance through all the topics to give
yourself as wide a choice as possible.
• Pay attention to allocation of marks.
STUDENT CAREERS &
SKILLS
What is the question asking?
• Read carefully/ read carefully again/ check after a few minutes.
• Key words / qualifying words
– Stay calm
– Think logically
• Don’t waste too much time choosing questions, but choose carefully – then don’t change your mind!
‘How AND why would the macroeconomic consequences of
deflation differ if …’
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SKILLS
• Read through the information carefully.
• Identify the problem that needs to be resolved.
• Select the formulae that need to be applied.
• Accurate working and attention to sequence and
detail.
• Set out clearly and legibly.
What is the question asking?
STUDENT CAREERS &
SKILLS
What is the question asking?
• Generate ideas: e.g mindmap
• Make a plan/structure: Key Words
• Identify formulae and equations presented in words
• Check you have answered all aspects of the question.
Introduction: context, your approach (what, how & why), refs
Main Points: all aspects of question / logical order / different
points of view (critical approach)
Conclusion: sum up answer – justify your view
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Different from writing
assignment essays…?
• No need to reference to same extent.
• (Still need some refs)
• Less time, therefore less information.
• Concise structure.
STUDENT CAREERS &
SKILLS
Exhibiting what you know
6 ways to demonstrate your learning: (Bloom 1956)
• Knowledge: Show ability to recall facts, basic concepts etc.
• Comprehension: Demonstrative understanding
• Application: Apply knowledge & understanding in new situations e.g. to solve problems
• Analysis: Examine component parts of information acquired; use to find evidence & make inferences
• Synthesis: Bring acquired information together in a different way to support an argument / point of view
• Evaluation: Make reasoned judgments about information acquired to present and defend opinions
STUDENT CAREERS &
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Some Common Errors/
Problems• Poor choice of question.
• Answers not properly structured.
• Waffle & repetition.
• Not answering the question.
• Not showing a critical approach.
• Writer’s block.
• Lack of confidence.
• Leaving the examination room early.
Make some time to plan how to avoid these.
http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/study/exam/2.1.xml
STUDENT CAREERS &
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Economic Analysis:
Macroeconomics: January 2013/2014
Compare the possible steady state growth effects, if
any of:
a. Longer-lived patents; [20 marks]
b. A jump in the productivity of training; [15 marks]
c. Greater intertemporal substitutability of
consumption. [15 marks]
• Critique the question:
• ‘Compare the possible steady state growth effects, if any’
• Make a Plan
• Select the model / equations required
– Clear and legible presentation
• Do: explain the model (briefly). Engage with areas of
debate. Answer question! Reach a conclusion.
• Don’t: simply describe and forget to make the
comparison!
STUDENT CAREERS &
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Finally……….• The first 50% of marks is easiest to obtain
• Next 25% more difficult
• Last 25% most difficult
• If you are running out of time, two half answers
may be worth more than one whole
• Spend last 10 mins checking your work:
– Numbered all answers
– Spelling
– Handwriting
– All steps in calculation shown
STUDENT CAREERS &
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Good luck
• Be confident!
• Feedback:
• http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/skills/ac
ademicwriting/feedback
• Exam Writing Economics: Amanda Randall
STUDENT CAREERS &
SKILLS
• Other skills development workshops
available through the Masters Skills
Programme (SCS).
• http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/skills/
events/mastersworkshops
• WSPA
• http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/skills/
awards/wspa
STUDENT CAREERS &
SKILLS
Useful links
• University Counselling service:
• http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/tutors/couns
elling/informationpages/
• http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ld/resources/study/r
evision-exam
• http://www.open.edu/openlearn/education/revisi
on-and-examinations/content-section-0
• http://services.unimelb.edu.au/academicskills/all
_resources#exams