Exam taking: Art or Exam taking: Art or Science?Science?

Nikki HeathNikki Heath

Symbiotics LtdSymbiotics Ltd

The Pony ClubThe Pony ClubInstructors ConferenceInstructors Conference

StatementsStatements

Some exams can naturally de-Some exams can naturally de-select/select a particular type.select/select a particular type.

Some people are good exam Some people are good exam takers but are less effective in the takers but are less effective in the working or performing working or performing environmentenvironment

Some exams do not test the Some exams do not test the appropriate skill sets for effective appropriate skill sets for effective long term performancelong term performance

Good Examinees: Born or Good Examinees: Born or Made?Made?

Ability to feel they can change situation – Ability to feel they can change situation – not a victim of fate not a victim of fate

Self Efficacy/beliefSelf Efficacy/belief Perspectives – interpretation of events Perspectives – interpretation of events

and attributionand attribution Ability to manage uncertainty - Ability to manage uncertainty -

robustnessrobustness Ability to deal with criticism – resilienceAbility to deal with criticism – resilience Preparedness and attitude – self defeater Preparedness and attitude – self defeater

or perfectionistor perfectionist

Added kick for Added kick for equestrians…equestrians…

……..Effects of the horse!..Effects of the horse!

WhyWhy

Because..Because..

They add a large element of uncertainty… They add a large element of uncertainty… uncertainty is the biggest cause of anxietyuncertainty is the biggest cause of anxiety

Anxiety has a major impact on performanceAnxiety has a major impact on performance

Loss of performance impacts on Loss of performance impacts on confidence….confidence….

The horse reacts to confidence…The horse reacts to confidence…

Candidate differencesCandidate differences Personality differencesPersonality differences

• PerfectionistPerfectionist

• Self DefeaterSelf Defeater

Learning StylesLearning Styles• Technical Technical

• IntuitiveIntuitive

Background, experience Background, experience planning and training planning and training

Beliefs and style Beliefs and style • AttributionAttribution

• Anxiety typeAnxiety type

Cognitive and Physical Cognitive and Physical TasksTasks

Ability to sustain both effectively Ability to sustain both effectively under pressureunder pressure

Associated to learning styleAssociated to learning style Continuous open loop tasks heavily Continuous open loop tasks heavily

affected by intervention of thoughtaffected by intervention of thought Anxiety type – somatic or cognitiveAnxiety type – somatic or cognitive

Anxiety TypeAnxiety Type

Somatic signsSomatic signs• Tense and jerkyTense and jerky• HesitantHesitant• SweatingSweating• AggressiveAggressive

Cognitive signsCognitive signs• Joking and laughingJoking and laughing• Yawning and lethargicYawning and lethargic• Poor concentration Poor concentration

and focusand focus

Interpretation of Interpretation of BehavioursBehaviours

Stand OffishStand Offish Anxious – cognitive and somaticAnxious – cognitive and somatic

Low confidenceLow confidence

(Highly focussed) (Highly focussed)

Aggressive and rudeAggressive and rude Over/under confident - Over/under confident - perfectionistperfectionist

Anxious - somaticAnxious - somatic

External attributer External attributer

Rushing and stressyRushing and stressy Planning problemsPlanning problems

Lack of confidence and feeling Lack of confidence and feeling out of controlout of control

Laid back and friendly Laid back and friendly – but always late– but always late

Anxious – cognitiveAnxious – cognitive

Self defeater Self defeater

Exam ConflictsExam Conflicts

Personal Goals vs Exam GoalsPersonal Goals vs Exam Goals Personal Goals vs actual ability (dissonance)Personal Goals vs actual ability (dissonance) Preparation vs realityPreparation vs reality Perception of controlPerception of control Over confidence vs under confidentOver confidence vs under confident

• Equestrian proneness to self consciousnessEquestrian proneness to self consciousness Over prepared Over prepared

• Rigidity Rigidity • Violation of expectationViolation of expectation

The impact of the horseThe impact of the horse

A learning organism that is also A learning organism that is also affected by environment affected by environment

Is inconsistent and unpredictableIs inconsistent and unpredictable Can cause feelings of unequal Can cause feelings of unequal

playing field – creating anger or playing field – creating anger or despondencydespondency

The impact of the The impact of the examinerexaminer

Communication styleCommunication style Perceptions of candidate behaviourPerceptions of candidate behaviour Body languageBody language Perceptions by candidate of Perceptions by candidate of

examiner behaviourexaminer behaviour

Controllable Internal wind Controllable Internal wind upsups

Feeling of not belongingFeeling of not belonging Fear of opinion – Gamesmanship Fear of opinion – Gamesmanship Guilt – responsibility of expectation Guilt – responsibility of expectation Lack of self beliefLack of self belief Under horsed/under preparedUnder horsed/under prepared Over tired and under resourcedOver tired and under resourced Not in control – attribution and Not in control – attribution and

planningplanning

4 Cs of effective 4 Cs of effective performanceperformance

CommunicationCommunication ControlControl

• Planning and preparednessPlanning and preparedness• Self managementSelf management

ConfidenceConfidence• AnxietyAnxiety• AttributionAttribution• Self EfficacySelf Efficacy

CommitmentCommitment• Stickability and resilienceStickability and resilience

Strong CandidatesStrong Candidates

PreparednessPreparedness Fall back strategy and flexibilityFall back strategy and flexibility Ability to park problems or negative feelingsAbility to park problems or negative feelings Understanding of organisational issuesUnderstanding of organisational issues Understanding of own contribution to Understanding of own contribution to

problemsproblems Taking controlTaking control Understanding own personal triggers and Understanding own personal triggers and

flashpointsflashpoints

ExaminersExaminers

Preparedness and planningPreparedness and planning Effective communication Effective communication Even handednessEven handedness Understanding of the external issues Understanding of the external issues

if they have occurred – knowing if they have occurred – knowing when to be flexiblewhen to be flexible

Tolerance when faced with a display Tolerance when faced with a display of internally produced behavioursof internally produced behaviours

QuestionsQuestions