STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Exam Writing: Economics

Masters Academic Writing

Dr Amanda Randall

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Aims of this session

• Tips on getting prepared in advance of

the exam

– revision strategies to try out.

• Strategies during the exam, including :

– Time management

– Choosing and answering the question –

some dos and don’ts.

• Common errors.

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Preparing for exam writing

• Know what the course is covering!

• Marking criteria/assessment criteria.

• Talk to tutors/lecturers.

• Past Papers (available on departmental website).

• Critical Approach (e.g. evidenced critical analysis/ synthesis/ evaluation .... looking at questions from different viewpoints, comparing & contrasting, strengths / weaknesses, WAWOS)

• Answer the questions set not the questions you want! What; Agree; Why; Other hand: Summary

http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/study/exam/1.1.xml

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Stages in Revision

Revision process has three or more phases:

• Phase 1: Information gathering

– Takes the longest, so begin early

• Phase 2: Revisit & remodel notes

• Phase 3: Revisit & remodel notes again

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Make a revision timetable

• Work backwards from exam date

• Keep it simple (KIS)

• Be flexible

• Be realistic

• Plan for the unexpected

• Remember- you are in charge of the

timetable not the other way around!

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Making your revision notes

1. Read your key texts/materials

(essential reading on reading lists)

2. Content of lectures and seminars

3. Worksheets

4. Identify key themes, key words/formulae etc,

5. Start making revision notes:

– Factual Revision notes

– Calculations/procedures/formulae

– Critical Revision Notes

– Key References

Chunk it down.

Actively engage with material

Make it your own

Phase 1

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Factual revision notes

• What /Where /Who /When /Why /How etc.

• Formulae / calculations / procedures.

Some possible methods:

Lists Mnemonics

Mindmaps Journey Pegs

Timelines Pod casts/audio

Rhymes/slogans ANKI http://ankisrs.net

Bad Beer Rots Our Young Guts But Vodka Goes Well (in) Silver Goblets.

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Mindmapping software

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Critical revision notes

• Theories/ viewpoints / strengths / weaknesses etc.

• Assessment / analysis / comparison / evaluation.

Some possible methods:

• Comparison lists

• SWOT analysis type charts

• Mindmaps

• WAWOS

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

• Shrink your notes 3:1

• Rule of one• The intervals between revision sessions should

gradually increase.

• Do practice questions with your notes (handwriting practice).

– Past papers, or invent your own

Review your notes

Phase 2

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Recall

• During a revision period, you recall most of

what you learned at the beginning and end of

each session.

– Optimal time for focussed revision is 20 – 40

mins.

• Two breaks in one hour is more effective than

one break – 3 beginnings and three ends vs.

one break in an hour (=two beginnings and two

ends)

STUDENT CAREERS &

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Regular Review

These intervals may well be

shorter!

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Review notes again

• Reduce your notes further

• Do timed practice questions without your notes (handwriting practice).

• Study buddy.

• Focus more on exam strategies

Phase 3

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Before the day / on the day

• Check start time & venue.

• Equipment.

• Arrive in plenty of time.

• Read the instructions.

• Answer the correct number of questions.

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Time management in the exam

• Plan your time carefully – e.g.

4 questions in 3 hours: 180 minutes:

10 minutes choosing questions

40 minutes per question

10 minutes checking time at end

• Do your time management planning in

advance.

• Write down the finishing time for each question

& keep to it.

– if necessary come back to the question later.

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Choosing your questions

• Read through the whole paper, not just the

parts that you think you might be interested in.

• If you need to answer a question from each

section, glance through all the topics to give

yourself as wide a choice as possible.

• Pay attention to allocation of marks.

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

What is the question asking?

• Read carefully/ read carefully again/ check after a few minutes.

• Key words / qualifying words

– Stay calm

– Think logically

• Don’t waste too much time choosing questions, but choose carefully – then don’t change your mind!

‘How AND why would the macroeconomic consequences of

deflation differ if …’

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

• Read through the information carefully.

• Identify the problem that needs to be resolved.

• Select the formulae that need to be applied.

• Accurate working and attention to sequence and

detail.

• Set out clearly and legibly.

What is the question asking?

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

What is the question asking?

• Generate ideas: e.g mindmap

• Make a plan/structure: Key Words

• Identify formulae and equations presented in words

• Check you have answered all aspects of the question.

Introduction: context, your approach (what, how & why), refs

Main Points: all aspects of question / logical order / different

points of view (critical approach)

Conclusion: sum up answer – justify your view

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Different from writing

assignment essays…?

• No need to reference to same extent.

• (Still need some refs)

• Less time, therefore less information.

• Concise structure.

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Exhibiting what you know

6 ways to demonstrate your learning: (Bloom 1956)

• Knowledge: Show ability to recall facts, basic concepts etc.

• Comprehension: Demonstrative understanding

• Application: Apply knowledge & understanding in new situations e.g. to solve problems

• Analysis: Examine component parts of information acquired; use to find evidence & make inferences

• Synthesis: Bring acquired information together in a different way to support an argument / point of view

• Evaluation: Make reasoned judgments about information acquired to present and defend opinions

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Some Common Errors/

Problems• Poor choice of question.

• Answers not properly structured.

• Waffle & repetition.

• Not answering the question.

• Not showing a critical approach.

• Writer’s block.

• Lack of confidence.

• Leaving the examination room early.

Make some time to plan how to avoid these.

http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/study/exam/2.1.xml

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Economic Analysis:

Macroeconomics: January 2013/2014

Compare the possible steady state growth effects, if

any of:

a. Longer-lived patents; [20 marks]

b. A jump in the productivity of training; [15 marks]

c. Greater intertemporal substitutability of

consumption. [15 marks]

• Critique the question:

• ‘Compare the possible steady state growth effects, if any’

• Make a Plan

• Select the model / equations required

– Clear and legible presentation

• Do: explain the model (briefly). Engage with areas of

debate. Answer question! Reach a conclusion.

• Don’t: simply describe and forget to make the

comparison!

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Finally……….• The first 50% of marks is easiest to obtain

• Next 25% more difficult

• Last 25% most difficult

• If you are running out of time, two half answers

may be worth more than one whole

• Spend last 10 mins checking your work:

– Numbered all answers

– Spelling

– Handwriting

– All steps in calculation shown

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Good luck

• Be confident!

• Feedback:

• http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/skills/ac

ademicwriting/feedback

• Exam Writing Economics: Amanda Randall

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

• Other skills development workshops

available through the Masters Skills

Programme (SCS).

• http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/skills/

events/mastersworkshops

• WSPA

• http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/skills/

awards/wspa

STUDENT CAREERS &

SKILLS

Useful links

• University Counselling service:

• http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/tutors/couns

elling/informationpages/

• http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ld/resources/study/r

evision-exam

• http://www.open.edu/openlearn/education/revisi

on-and-examinations/content-section-0

• http://services.unimelb.edu.au/academicskills/all

_resources#exams