Exam questions types and workings

Exam is when nerves try so hard to get the better of you, and sometimes the nerves win big. The best antidote will be to come to an exam prepared. Prepared with content and subject matter knowledge; prepared with good health and  prepared with the skills of knowing the different types of possible questions and how best to tackle it.

[su_pullquote]The best antidote will be to come to an exam prepared. [/su_pullquote]
In this edition, we will look into the question skills. Questions come in many different types and are used to test the different levels of knowledge and comprehension.

There are the one that need you to memorize and recall an information or data. Marks awarded for this type of questions are usually small. Examples of this type of questions are List, State, Name, and Define. Here, you need to give simple answers, without need to elaborate or give examples, unless the question ask you to. Here are a couple of examples:

Question: “State the different modes of transportation available on campus“.

Answer: “Bus, Cars, Bicycles“.

Question: “Define vehicle and give an example“.

Answer: “Vehicle is a thing used for transporting people or goods, such as a car“.

Another type requires you to some work. Usually these types of questions do not need wordy explanation, but your workings must be clear enough to show the answers needed. Examples of this type question include Calculate, Find, Show, Configure and Troubleshoot. It carries more marks than the previous type as you need to show some level of competency and mastery in answering it. Sometimes the question is given in a long problem format, and you need to extract the elements required. Here is an example:

Question: “Given the ciphertext  jfxdhwduyt and the key, k of 5. If the crypto uses Caesar cipher, find the plaintext“.

Answer:

	key =  5
j	(9 – 5 ) mod 26 = 4	e
f	(5 – 5 ) mod 26 = 0	a
x	(23 – 5 ) mod 26 = 18	s
d	(3 – 5 ) mod 26 = 24	y
h
w
d
u
y
t

** you can finish that on your own.

 

The show your understanding questions are geared towards assessing how you think, how you explain, how you compare and contrasts. Typical questions are Explain, Explain Briefly, Compare and Differentiate. Marks are higher in these type of questions and it does require a little more critical thinking and manipulation of information and ideas. An example:

 

Question: “Compare Durian and Watermelon“.

Answer: Find comparison points and expound on them.

Durian have a rougher outer skin while watermelons are smooth. Watermelons are juicier compared to durians, which are more ‘meatier’ and fleshy.

 

 

The final type requires a little more depth in thinking and to think critically as well. These types of questions include Discuss, Describe and Analyze. These questions requires the most of your time and are usually awarded higher marks. The key to answering these types of questions are understanding and structure. Read the question carefully and understand what is required. There is no use giving a 3-page answer to the wrong question requirement.

Now that you have understood the question requirement, structure your answer. Rather than a disarray of thoughts, align them in a significant and effective way.  Make a little side note to arrange your answers in a more meaningful way. You can even doodle a little to help (just don’t waste your time doodling, rather than answering).

The questions needs a conclusion, what you came to after deliberate and deep thinking. Your side of the opinion. Never leave a discussion hanging.

Question: “Discuss the effects of  Global warming to the sales of fans“.

Answer: Sketch it out, structure ideas, then write.

Please note that the image above has two different doodles with very different purpose. The left helps with answering the question, the right, while beautiful (If I may say so myself) does not.

 

So be prepared for the exams. Last minute cramming may not always turn out well, either for your results or your health. Good luck!