* Get a good night's sleep before the exam.
* Make sure you know where the exam is taking place, arrive in time but not too early as anxiety is contagious.
* Read the instructions to candidates carefully.
* Read each question carefully, taking note of key words such as compare, discuss, outline etc.
* Decide which questions you are going to do and stick to it. Be aware of what the question requires.
* If you have been using mnemonics (memory aids) eg: Roy G Biv (the colours of the rainbow) or mind maps, jot them down.



Plan your examination answers

o Think about the question: Think and reflect on the issues raised for a few moments.
o Question:

1. What does the examiner want?
2. What is the subject area generally concerned with?
3. What are the fundamental issues behind the question?
4. What are the facts pertinent to the issues raised?
5. How can I present them in a clear, concise, lucid and logical fashion?



* Plan: jot down the relevant key points required by the question. Be sure these points are truly relevant to the question asked.
* Answer: use the key points of your plan as captions and write a paragraph around each. Stop after every few paragraphs and check that you are not straying from the point. Use a deductive approach - make an inference from general theories to the particular problem posed.
* The examiner requires evidence in the form of well-balanced arguments supported by references to authors, books, articles, research studies, documentaries etc.
* Review: quickly review your answer, picking up misspellings, incomplete or nonsensical statements, lack of conclusions and so on. Apply logic to calculations.
* Move on to the next question and start this approach again.
* Divide your time: leave a little time at the end for reading over the paper. Stick rigidly to your time plan.
* Do your best question first. This will give you confidence.
* Do not hang around after the exams for post mortems.



Common examination faults

Examiners often complain about the following faults:

1. Poor layout and Presentation: eg: answering pats of the same question in several places of the answer book without guidance to the examiner.



2. Irrelevancy: (a) global, generalize answers when specific information is required and (b) failure to understand and answer the question set. This could be due to wishful thinking, incorrect reading or misinterpretation.



3. Time Management: (a) not leaving sufficient time to answer all the question required. There is a tendency to spend too much time on the first question attempted and too little on the last. (b) There is also failure to distribute time in proportion to the marks given. Furthermore, candidates often do not distribute their time within questions in proportion to the marks awarded.



4. Planning: failure to plan answers before committing thoughts to paper. Quality not quantity is important. Verbosity is no substitute for clear, concise, logical thinking and presentation.



Specific Faults - Computational Subjects

1. Balancing: In subjects like Financial Accounting do not spend too much time trying to balance. Stick to a planned time allocation. You may still get excellent marks even though your balance sheet or cash flow statement doesn't balance.



2. Show your working: Some candidates fail to show intermediate workings when they use a calculator but produce the wrong answer. A proportion of the marks for all questions is reserved for methodology. After all, the rubic will usually state categorically that candidates must clearly show how they have derived their answers from the basic data.



3. Interpretations: The explanation/interpretation aspects of computational questions are sometimes answered very badly. For example, in Ratio Analysis, as well as being able to calculate the relevant ratios you must also be able to interpret in words their significance in relation to the question given.



4. Presentation: Presentation is a very important aspect of quantitative subjects. Good, clear, concise, logical and methodical presentation is expected and marks are reserved for such. The examiner will award marks for apparent logical thinking and understanding even if the result of the calculations is incorrect. For example, budgets are not simply a mass of calculations but should presented in a tabulated and logical manner. Sloppy layout such as scattering figures in an uncoordinated way over several pages is not good technique. Study model answers and publications for good layout practices. A tabular statement or matrix can save you time and earn you extra marks. Appropriate illustrations such as diagrams or graphics can also be very effective. But do remember to label them clearly!



5. Integrated holistic approach: When answering questions, remember that all areas of your course including previous stages may be relevant. Don't put subjects into pigeonholes. Try to perceive the integrated nature of the course, particularly at the latter stages of your programmed.
6. Technical subjects: For practical and very technical subjects you need to have a thorough grasp of your subject and you must be able to apply the knowledge to the problem set.



Specific Faults - Narrative Subjects

1. Specific knowledge: A person seeking professional advice would not appreciate a general reply which did not address the particular problem posed. Answers should be structured with this in mind.

Remember!

"Very short answers necessarily attract few marks. The examiner wants discussion, reference to cases and statutes, and evidence that the candidate has thought about the question and is giving a reasoned answer rather than regurgitation of rote learning."

2. Report writing: Reports should have a title and a date, and should be addressed to somebody and from somebody. Reports should have paragraphs, headings, subheadings, and indentations as appropriate and should finish with a conclusion. Calculations, graphs and tabulations should be relegated to appendices. Terms of reference and summary recommendations should be given at the start of the report. Conclusions should be logically developed and clearly stated. Examiners complain that students often write an essay with asked specifically for report format. It would be well worth referring to any book on report writing in business for guidance in this area.



3. Information technology management: This paper will test a candidate's real understanding rather than any ability to reproduce rote-learned descriptions of some aspects of Information Technology. It is difficult to acquire this real understanding without practical hands-on experience. Candidates should, therefore, seize every opportunity to acquire practical experience of using computers and keep up to date generally on information technology.



4. Subjects like economics: Economics, law, psychology are real life practical subjects the ramifications of which affect our everyday life. However, the popular press approach is not sufficient for these examinations. Instead, read good quality newspapers and journals. Show the examiner that you understand the practical implications and significance of what you are studying. Proving that your knowledge extends beyond the recommended texts will help you to impress the examiner.



Economics is the type of subject that lends itself to being illustrated by flowcharts, graphs and diagrams. Frequently, a diagram correctly drawn and properly explained is by far the best way to answer a question. Some questions in fact cannot be answered without such clear and accurate diagrams. Remember that it is technical knowledge that distinguishes the professional from the layman and that it is the ability to communicate that technical knowledge that will impress the examiner.

5. Case study type questions: these are intended to test candidates' ability to relate theoretical knowledge to the situation described. Draw conclusions logically from the information given. Do not make totally unjustified assumptions about the situation described.



Summary

There are a number of basic little tips you can apply to specific subjects that will help you maximize your marks in the examinations. However, there is no substitute for adequate expertise gained from study and application of the subject matte. Most of the advice offered is commonsense but commonsense is a rare commodity if one is to judge from the regularity with which these faults are frequently made!

Quick release of tension

Before or during the exam, if you feel anxious, panicky or uptight:

1. Let your breath go (don't breathe in first).
2. Take in a slow, gentle, breath; hold it for a second.
3. Let it go, with a leisurely sigh of relief.
4. Drop your shoulders at the same time and relax your hands.
5. Make sure your teeth are not clenched together.
6. If you have to speak, speak more slowly in a lower tone of voice.