How to make the grade

Dos and don'ts of exams

Be realistic: It's worth thinking before you go into the exam what exactly you are trying to achieve. What grade are you hoping to attain? This way you go in there knowing it doesn't matter how anyone else does - you have your goal and that is what you should keep in mind.

Full answers: Unless you write the full answer down the examiner will not know that you know the answer. He/she is not telepathic and can only go by what you've written down. You will not get marks for writing a lot, or having pretty handwriting.

No repetition: Don't repeat the question, the examiner will already know what is it and you don't need to waste valuable time and energy rewriting it (you won't get extra marks).

Complete answers: Ask yourself have you answered every part of the question? It will be worth a certain amount of marks and if you only answer part of it you will only get the marks dedicated to that part of the question, no matter how fabulously well you answer it.

Show workings out: If you're doing a maths exam that involves calculations either write your workings out very clearly or make notes next to them so you teacher can work out what you've done. Even if you've lost the plot half the way through and the answer is wrong, if the teacher can see what you were trying to do you will get some marks.

Clear handwriting: Write clearly in blue or black ink. Don't decide to suddenly get creative and write in red or green or anything else unusual. It annoys examiners! Also don't do what I do which is spend five minutes underlining titles in different colours and using rulers - it won't gain extra marks.

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