Sitting Exams Successfully: How

to Play the Examination Game

Think like an examiner.

I cant read that.

What are they trying to say?
Is this crossed out or not?
They havent really answered the
question.
They havent included examples.
Theyve made the point but its not
explained fully.

Make the examiner want to give

you marks..

WILT Technique: W, I,
What is Wanted?
Command words

What should I Include?

Links to the syllabus,
relevant key words
examples, case studies, evidence
what will the examiner be looking for?

WILT Technique: L, T.
How Long should the answer be? How Long
should I spend on the answer?
number of marks.
time available per question.

What Type of answer is needed?

Written (short answer, one word, definition, essay)

Diagrams, sketches, maps, graphs.
Annotations / labels.
Calculations (show your working) etc.

Know your command words

Highlight / underline the command words.
Check back to the question whilst you are
answering it.

Examples
Account For: Explain, clarify, give reasons for. (Quite different
from Give an account of which is more like Describe in detail.)
Analyse: Break an issue down into its component parts,
discuss them and show how they interrelate.
Annotate: Add notes to a diagram, chart or map which explain
the feature being pointed to.
Apply: Use an idea, equation, principle, theory or law in a new
situation.
Argue: Make a case, based on appropriate evidence and
logically structured, for and/or against some given point of view.
Assess: Consider the value or importance of something,
paying due attention to positive, negative and disputable
aspects, and citing the judgements of any known authorities as
well as your own.