🧠Exam technique: Strategies used to maximise marks
✍️ The Golden Rule: Read, Plan, Answer (RPA)
Before you write a single word, invest the first few minutes in a plan. This simple habit prevents you from rushing into a wrong answer and helps structure your thoughts.
| Step | Action | Scientific Example (Biology) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Read | Read the question twice. Identify the command word (e.g., 'explain', 'calculate', 'describe'). | "Explain how the structure of a leaf is adapted for photosynthesis." The command word is explain (give reasons). |
| 2. Plan | Jot down keywords or a quick mind map of the points you need to cover. | Keywords: large surface area, thin, chloroplasts, stomata, waxy cuticle. |
| 3. Answer | Write your answer, turning your plan into full sentences. Tick off points as you go. | "The leaf is thin to reduce diffusion distance for CO2..." |
⏳ Mastering Time Management and Question Selection
In an exam, time is your most valuable resource. A common mistake is spending 20 minutes on a 2-mark question and leaving only 5 minutes for a 6-mark question. The rule is simple: allocate 1 minute per mark. If a question is worth 4 marks, you should aim to spend no more than 4 minutes on it. If you get stuck, make a small note and move on. You can always come back.
Example: Question: Calculate the force on a 5 kg mass accelerating at 2 m/s².
Working: $F = m \times a$ âž” $F = 5 \times 2$ âž” $F = 10 N$.
🧪 Practical Application: Decoding a Chemistry Exam Question
Let's apply these strategies to a typical GCSE or high school chemistry question. The question is: "A student reacts 25 cm³ of hydrochloric acid with excess sodium carbonate. The temperature of the mixture increases by 5.5°C. Explain why the temperature increases and state the type of reaction." (4 marks)
Using the RPA method: Read – command words are 'explain' and 'state'. Plan – keywords: bonds broken, bonds formed, energy released, exothermic. Answer – "This is an exothermic reaction. Energy is released when new bonds are formed in the products (sodium chloride, water, carbon dioxide). The amount of energy released is greater than the energy absorbed to break bonds in the reactants, so the surroundings (the solution) heat up, causing the temperature to rise." This covers four clear points for the four marks.
âť“ Important Questions
A: Don't start a new long answer. Use this time to check for silly mistakes: did you forget a unit? Did you answer the correct number of questions? Fill in any multiple-choice guesses. Read through your answers to ensure they make sense.
A: You must discuss both similarities and differences. A good structure is to use comparative words like 'whereas', 'however', 'similarly'. Example: "Animal cells have a flexible cell membrane, whereas plant cells have a rigid cell wall. Similarly, both contain a nucleus." This ensures you are directly comparing, not just listing facts.
đź“š Conclusion
đź“ť Footnote
Command word[1]: The part of a question that tells you what to do. For example, 'describe' means tell what something looks like or happens, while 'explain' means give reasons or causes. RPA[2]: An acronym for the Read, Plan, Answer exam strategy