Exams are not about regurgitating facts from
lectures and texts like a robot. Instead you will need
to apply the facts you have learned.
apply a precedent
analyse
conclude
To apply your knowledge you will
need a range of academic skills,
such as:
identifying concepts and issues
describing
analysing
synthesising
evaluating
If you want to perform these skills well
under exam conditions, you have to
PRACTISE
GATHER MATERIALS to practice
your exam technique
old exam questions
sample exam questions
problem sheets
self study sheets
Here are some steps you can follow to help you
practice responding to the questions
1. Identify 2. Classify 3. Transform 4. Substitute 5. Compare
1. IDENTIFY
What information has been supplied?
- all information is supplied for a purpose and
you will need to use it.
Therefore, what is its significance or use?
What else might I need to know?
What information am I required to supply?
2. CLASSIFY
Given the type of information provided or
required, what kind of problem is this? (eg.
'negligence' or 'breach of contract'?)
Which area(s) of the course does it relate to?
Which solution method/principles will apply?
3. TRANSFORM
You will need to manipulate the given
information, drawing on your additional
knowledge.
You must bring something to the problem
which enables you to transform the given
data into another form: models, formulae,
theories, facts
5. Compare
Compare your result with
solutions to similar problems.
Does it look reasonable?
Is it in the right range or order
of magnitude?
TIP 1: CLASSIFY
Classifying problems is a vital step in
demonstrating your understanding of concepts,
and selecting solutions. Try to look at problems
away from the lectures and textbooks, so you
don’t know what kind of problem it is. Old exam
papers are an excellent source of ā€˜random’
problems.
TIP 2: REVISE OUT OF SEQUENCE
Try to revise out of sequence so that you can
access your knowledge without depending on
triggers, like the topic before and after. You
could shuffle your revision notes and pick
sheets at random to revise, or follow a revision
programme.
TIP 3: TEST YOURSELF
Early in your revision, start
working through problems
without notes, then correct and
complete them from your notes
to see where you need more
study.
TIP 4: REVISE WITH OTHERS
Complete problems with other
students, to learn from their
different insights into the problem.
200128 problemsolvinginexams

200128 problemsolvinginexams

  • 2.
    Exams are notabout regurgitating facts from lectures and texts like a robot. Instead you will need to apply the facts you have learned. apply a precedent analyse conclude
  • 3.
    To apply yourknowledge you will need a range of academic skills, such as: identifying concepts and issues describing analysing synthesising evaluating
  • 4.
    If you wantto perform these skills well under exam conditions, you have to PRACTISE
  • 5.
    GATHER MATERIALS topractice your exam technique old exam questions sample exam questions problem sheets self study sheets Here are some steps you can follow to help you practice responding to the questions 1. Identify 2. Classify 3. Transform 4. Substitute 5. Compare
  • 6.
    1. IDENTIFY What informationhas been supplied? - all information is supplied for a purpose and you will need to use it. Therefore, what is its significance or use? What else might I need to know? What information am I required to supply?
  • 7.
    2. CLASSIFY Given thetype of information provided or required, what kind of problem is this? (eg. 'negligence' or 'breach of contract'?) Which area(s) of the course does it relate to? Which solution method/principles will apply?
  • 8.
    3. TRANSFORM You willneed to manipulate the given information, drawing on your additional knowledge. You must bring something to the problem which enables you to transform the given data into another form: models, formulae, theories, facts
  • 10.
    5. Compare Compare yourresult with solutions to similar problems. Does it look reasonable? Is it in the right range or order of magnitude?
  • 11.
    TIP 1: CLASSIFY Classifyingproblems is a vital step in demonstrating your understanding of concepts, and selecting solutions. Try to look at problems away from the lectures and textbooks, so you don’t know what kind of problem it is. Old exam papers are an excellent source of ā€˜random’ problems.
  • 12.
    TIP 2: REVISEOUT OF SEQUENCE Try to revise out of sequence so that you can access your knowledge without depending on triggers, like the topic before and after. You could shuffle your revision notes and pick sheets at random to revise, or follow a revision programme.
  • 13.
    TIP 3: TESTYOURSELF Early in your revision, start working through problems without notes, then correct and complete them from your notes to see where you need more study.
  • 14.
    TIP 4: REVISEWITH OTHERS Complete problems with other students, to learn from their different insights into the problem.