Preparing for the Social Studies 11Provincial Exam

Know What You Are Facing• This is an exam that students all over the province

will write.– It looks similar to class exams, so get familiar with the

layout. Will be worded in the same way that you are used to.

– We carefully follow the curriculum, so all parts of the course were covered – but one or two details may be unfamiliar and the emphasis may sometimes be a little different to the way it was in class.

Know What You Are Facing

• The exam has two parts:

– Selected Response Questions – these are usually multiple choice, but can also include true and false or matching.

– Essay questions – there are two of these and you must answer both of them.

Look at the Exam Specifications

• This can be found online at: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams/specs/grade11/ss/08_table_specs.pdf

How to Study

• Know the language of the course.– Use flash cards to

study names and terms.– Do not waste time

studying terms and names you already know!

Karl Marx

The creator of Communism (Marxism).He believed in materialism – only things you can touch and feel are real.He wanted a world where everyone was equal.

How to Study

• For History, use timelines to get events in the right order. Visual learners benefit from adding images.

How To Study• Predict and Practice Essay

Questions– These are the big questions

that make you think and combine information.

– These questions will come from the themes of the course:

• Autonomy & International Development

• Politics and Government• Society and Identity• Human Geography

Writing the Test – Selected Response• Multiple Choice Questions.

– Only one answer is right.– Eliminate wrong answers first – cross

them out on the test.– History questions are usually in time

order – this may give you a clue.– Whenever a question says “except” or

“not,” slow down to think more carefully.

– Guess if you don’t know. Never leave a blank.

– There are no trick questions. If it looks too easy, it actually just is so.

– Check for frame-shifts from time to time.

– If you go back and check multiple choice items, do not change them unless you are 100% sure. First guesses are often the best.

Writing the Test – Selected Response

• Matching Questions– These are like multiple

choice, but with more options.

– Always read all items in both columns before starting.

– It is unlikely an answer will be used more than once – so lightly cross out items you know have been used correctly.

Writing the Test – Selected Response• True/False Questions

– These are rarely used.• They are just simple

multiple choice items with two choices.

• Do not over-complicate them. Examiners are never trying to trick you!

• If you go back and check multiple choice items, do not change them unless you are 100% sure. First guesses are often the best.

Writing the Test - Essays

• There are two essay questions.

• Write both of them.• The test writing time is

long – you should have plenty of time.

• If you are short of time, it is better to write two mediocre answers than just one good one.

Writing the Test - Essays

• Know what the command words mean – see the handout.

Writing the Test - Essays

• Be Careful on Geography options.

• Many students make the mistake of just relying on common knowledge

• Make sure you use specific course content and employ terms we have learned.

Writing the Test - Essays• Always plan before you

write.• Never just write off the

top of your head.• There is little to no space

in the booklet to use, so use any space in the multiple choice booklet to plan.

• Above all, your writing needs a thesis – a controlling statement. This is a one sentence answer to the question.

Writing the Test – Essays

• Write in essay format if possible. This will ensure that you are organized.– Introduction (with

thesis).– Body (at least 3 points

of a paragraph each).– Conclusion.

Writing the Test – Essays• Write small. One of our biggest complaints about the essay

booklet is that it does not give enough space. We have complained for years and nothing has been done about it. Once again, write small!

• Write legibly. If a marker cannot read your writing it cannot be credited. If your handwriting is as bad as mine, print!

• Use all of the time allowed. Once you leave the test, you cannot return. Do not rush. Check your work and edit neatly (there is no space to write a good copy, so do not rewrite).

Now Practice on Sample Exams