Understanding Exam Questions
The first hurdle you have to clear to get marks on your exam papers is actually knowing what on earth the question wants you to write down on those dotted lines. It might sound like an obvious thing to be able to do but understanding exam command words is the downfall of many students. So we are going to have a look at all these different words you may see starting the questions on your exams and what they actually mean.
Calculate: Work out a number. You can use your calculator to help you. You may need to use an equation (These are all on page 2 of the exam booklet.) The question will say if your working must be shown.
Compare: Write about the similarities and differences between two things.
Describe: Write a detailed answer that covers what happens, when it happens and where it happens. Talk about facts and characteristics.
Discuss: Write about the issues related to a topic. You may need to talk about opposing sides to a debate, and you may need to show the difference between ideas, opinions and facts.
Estimate: Suggest an approximate value, without performing a full calculation or an accurate measurement. Don't just guess! Use your knowledge of science to suggest a realistic value.
Explain: Write a detailed answer that covers how and why a thing happens. Talk about mechanisms and reasons.
Evaluate: You will be given some facts, data or other information. Write about the data or facts and provide your own conclusion or opinion on them.
Justify: Give some evidence or write down an explanation to tell the examiner why you gave an answer.
Outline: Give only the key facts of the topic. You may need to set out the steps of a procedure or process - Make sure you write the steps down in the correct order.
Predict: Look at some data and suggest a realistic value or outcome. You may need to use a calculation to help. Don't guess! Look at trends in the data and use your knowledge of science.
Show: Write down the details, steps or calculations needed to prove an answer that you have been given.
Suggest: Think about what you have learnt and apply it to a new situation or context. You may not know the answer. Use what you have learnt to suggest sensible answers to the question.
Write Down: Give a short answer, without a supporting argument.
Calculate: Work out a number. You can use your calculator to help you. You may need to use an equation (These are all on page 2 of the exam booklet.) The question will say if your working must be shown.
Compare: Write about the similarities and differences between two things.
Describe: Write a detailed answer that covers what happens, when it happens and where it happens. Talk about facts and characteristics.
Discuss: Write about the issues related to a topic. You may need to talk about opposing sides to a debate, and you may need to show the difference between ideas, opinions and facts.
Estimate: Suggest an approximate value, without performing a full calculation or an accurate measurement. Don't just guess! Use your knowledge of science to suggest a realistic value.
Explain: Write a detailed answer that covers how and why a thing happens. Talk about mechanisms and reasons.
Evaluate: You will be given some facts, data or other information. Write about the data or facts and provide your own conclusion or opinion on them.
Justify: Give some evidence or write down an explanation to tell the examiner why you gave an answer.
Outline: Give only the key facts of the topic. You may need to set out the steps of a procedure or process - Make sure you write the steps down in the correct order.
Predict: Look at some data and suggest a realistic value or outcome. You may need to use a calculation to help. Don't guess! Look at trends in the data and use your knowledge of science.
Show: Write down the details, steps or calculations needed to prove an answer that you have been given.
Suggest: Think about what you have learnt and apply it to a new situation or context. You may not know the answer. Use what you have learnt to suggest sensible answers to the question.
Write Down: Give a short answer, without a supporting argument.
Don't Forget...
Read the question carefully. That includes all the information before the final question! They give you answers in that section you all like to skip reading!!
Look at the number of marks the question is worth. Generally speaking, one mark means you give one point. Two marks means two different points etc. The exception to this is the 6 mark question and calculations.
Look at the number of lines they give you. This gives you a bit of an idea of the detail they want. If it is two lines then that is a very short answer needed. Remember, even if you have tiny writing, other people have quite large writing. You don't have to fill every single line!
You can use bullet points and diagrams if they help your answer. If you use a diagram, make sure it is labelled or you write about what it shows. Pretty pictures may make my marking a bit more interesting but they don't get you marks.
If the answer line for a calculation has no units then include them in your answer.
Finally, check you have answered all the questions in the paper. Sometimes they have a question where you need to add a value to a table or points on a graph...Don't miss these easy marks!
Look at the number of marks the question is worth. Generally speaking, one mark means you give one point. Two marks means two different points etc. The exception to this is the 6 mark question and calculations.
Look at the number of lines they give you. This gives you a bit of an idea of the detail they want. If it is two lines then that is a very short answer needed. Remember, even if you have tiny writing, other people have quite large writing. You don't have to fill every single line!
You can use bullet points and diagrams if they help your answer. If you use a diagram, make sure it is labelled or you write about what it shows. Pretty pictures may make my marking a bit more interesting but they don't get you marks.
If the answer line for a calculation has no units then include them in your answer.
Finally, check you have answered all the questions in the paper. Sometimes they have a question where you need to add a value to a table or points on a graph...Don't miss these easy marks!