FAQs about examinations and tests
Find answers to common questions about tests and exams at the University of Waikato, including formats, preparation tips, what to bring, and where to get help.
Preparing for your exam
First, check the course outline for information about the length of the exam and the proportion of your total marks the result will be worth.
Details such as the question types, whether it is an open book exam, or if there is a practical element will usually be covered in lectures and tutorials and if not, ask your lecturer.
You can also search for old exam papers to practise with, though keep in mind the current paper may differ in a number of ways.
A take-home exam is a type of open book exam, and the format can differ widely between papers. Your lecturer will usually provide the questions or tasks in your LMS (Learning Management System), such as Moodle.
You then prepare your answers at home and submit them before the due date. There are usually no restrictions on the materials you can use, but the work must be your own and completed without help from others.
Before you begin, find out what your lecturer expects. For example, if the exam is not due for a week, ask whether they expect a fully researched response with additional sources and referencing, as you would for an assignment.
Analyse the questions carefully and work out what your argument would be and what main points you would make to support it. Review your lecture notes, required readings, and other course material to refresh your understanding of the key issues and ideas.
Do not try to memorise your answers as attempting to memorise several responses is likely to cause confusion. If you know the main points well, you will be able to write about the topic confidently in the exam.
During the exam
Once you know the number of questions and total marks, roughly allocate your time before you begin writing. For example:
- If the exam is 2 hours long with 60 questions, calculate how many you should have completed at the 20-minute mark and allow time at the end to check your answers.
- If the exam is 3 hours long with three essay questions, allow around 50 minutes per essay, and leave time for planning at the start and proofreading at the end.
Knowing how long to spend on each question will help you pace yourself and reduce stress.
At the start of the exam you will be given time to read the paper, but you must not begin writing your answers or notes. Read the whole paper carefully, paying particular attention to the instructions about how many questions you must answer and how many marks are allocated to each.
This is a good time to choose which questions you want to answer and which one to tackle first. You are not required to start at question one if that doesn't suit you. As soon as writing time begins, jot down key ideas, arguments, diagrams, formulae, or an outline to help guide your answers.
If it is a restricted book examination, your lecturer will tell you what materials you can bring. Otherwise, you may bring any written material that will help you such as lecture notes, original texts, or summary notes. A simple system for finding sections quickly, such as post-it stickers to index pages, is useful.
Remember, open book exams are usually designed to test your ability to apply knowledge, not just recall facts. Don't rely on quoting material directly as your examiner will want to know what you think.
Answering questions
The amount you write should reflect the number of marks the question is worth. Identify the important points in relation to the question and write an explanation that demonstrates your understanding. Your points should be organised logically, not random, and should connect clearly to one another.
Point form is generally acceptable in short answers, but the meaning must be clear. Each point must contribute to a complete explanation and answer the question. If in doubt, write more rather than less to clarify your meaning.
In essay questions, bullet points can be useful to show stages, characteristics, factors, or recommendations. Keep in mind that point-form answers can risk exposing a lack of deeper understanding, so use this approach carefully as it is most useful if you are running short on time.
Just as in an assignment, your essay answer must directly address the question and present a logical argument. Because exam essays are shorter than assignments, get straight to the point and clearly show how each point supports your argument.
Take around 10% of your allocated time for that question and to plan your response by identifying your argument and the order of your supporting points. Attach any planning notes to your exam paper at the end; if your answer is unclear, your lecturer can refer to your plan to understand what you intended.
In your introduction, clearly state your argument and the main points you will cover. While referencing does not need to be perfect in an exam, you should try to name prominent theorists or authors if you are drawing on their work.
Diagrams that are relevant, complete, and labelled can strengthen your answers in some papers. However, do not leave a diagram to speak for itself and always provide an explanation of its relevance to your answer. A well-drawn diagram can demonstrate to the marker that you understand a concept. If you are unsure whether diagrams are appropriate in your subject area, check with your tutor.