5 Strategies For Acing Your Essay Examination

You were expecting the course outline while you look through the handbook, but not samples of examinations. And you winced at the sight of a poem. You must write an exam about it, fearing that you might buckle under pressure. You thought the same thing when you read a short prose by an unspecified author.

You were racing against time while composing your essay examination (or essay exam to be short). You wished you could have done better on your first attempt, but you were being too hard on yourself. No one got it perfect. There won't be any excuses on the second, and the third one must be a wake-up call. If you think it couldn't get worse, then you should pause for a moment. You weren't the first student to take an essay exam. There have been countless students who struggled on their tests, but they managed to pass it with flying colors. And they got better during the succeeding months. It should happen to you.

You must have a positive mindset, telling yourself repeatedly that you could do it. (And you won't mind some students who were thinking that you might be a bit crazy.) You needed an early sleep, if not a long one. A good rest should enable you to think sharp. The sample tests that you've seen in your handbook should give you a hint of what you were up against, but you assumed that your professor was giving you a clue on what kind of text you would analyze and write about. You were dead wrong, as you had no clue until the day of the examination.

Surveying the Landscape

Read the instructions carefully. It should save you lots of time, not to mention the likelihood of making a mistake or two. You may not be able to finish your essay exam or the outcome was far from what you would like to be. Do what you're instructed. Don't ever think of other things, which might impress your professor. You won't be able to do it (due to lack of time).

You can read the written text thrice. This task could range from five to ten minutes, even more. It depends on your comprehension (of the text). If you have a Eureka moment, then consider yourself a lucky student. You may finish the text ahead, but don't let it get it to your head. Yet. The first reading should give you a general idea of the text, and this one must not last a few minutes. The second reading gives you another chance to read it again, but slowly and carefully. You must have a general idea, but you need to read between the lines. It must be several minutes long, and you should have made a mental note or two. The third (and final) reading will allow you to glimpse at the text if you don't recall your mental notes. (You might be panicking at the moment.) In this regard, the next item should help you do better.

Do a memory dump. You might wonder why not think it carefully before writing down your essay. It could turn into a time-consuming affair especially if you're using paper and pencil (or pen). Write anything you know about the text including what is related (and remotely related) to it. Do it on a separate sheet of paper. Choose which information you want to put into your essay exam. You fear that you won't have any time for proofreading, but there's a way if you stick to the plan. And it's no other than not lingering long on a particular stage of the essay exam.

Go for the basics. You should be able to think of an argument for your essay exam. You must be able to support it with information, which must not take you long. Keep it short and simple, as this approach enables you to go back to your text when you have remaining time. Don't ever think of anecdotes, even your feelings, which might confuse your professor. Clarity is a virtue in writing.

Write quickly and neatly. It might be unfair to you, as this process could put immense pressure to your (writing) hand. It could keep up with the frantic pace of your thinking over time, but you may be able to do it with ease if you follow the previous steps.

What to Avoid

Many students write everything they know about the text until they found out that it's remotely related to it. Your professor won't like this kitchen sink approach, and it would be worse if he/she believes that you don't follow the instructions at all.

Avoid bluffing at all cost. There's no need to stretch what is obvious. Write what you know, and be careful to choose which ideas (or information) to include in your essay exam.

There are no excuses for not finishing your essay exam, if not failing to write a good one. Consult your tutor. Talk about it with your coursemates. (You might be blessed with their unexpected generosity.) Try harder next time.