Transcript Exam techniques * some suggestions and comments

Exam revision and technique
Exam ‘Hack’ Resit Support Class, July 2016
Dr. Simon Carr, Student Enhancement Developer
School of Science & Sport
Preparing for an Exam – where
to start?
• When it comes to start compiling your revision notes,
the best place to start is not your lecture notes, but the
module descriptor.
• Compiling revision notes from the 12 or so weekly
lectures can create a false border between topics,
whereas modules tend to have a far smaller number of
themes.
• If you can identify these you will find preparing for the
exam much easier! Becoming familiar with the summary
and learning outcomes before you even start classes will
help you absorb a lot more of the learning.
Identifying Key Elements of the
Module
• Every module taught at UWS is listed on the public website
http://psmd.uws.ac.uk/
• The aim of this presentation is to show you how this valuable
and little-used resource can help strengthen your learning
through preventing you getting ‘bogged down’ in detail and
helping you see the wider picture in respect of your learning
• Using colour coding, the next few slides will demonstrate how
to go about extracting the framework upon which to base
your revision notes for the exam
Module Summary –(Proteins: Form & Function)
This module covers the structures and properties of proteins
from basic amino acid structure up to quaternary structure and
allosteric proteins. A significant part of the module relates to the
properties of enzymes including enzyme specificity, the influence
of pH and temperature on enzyme reaction rates, enzyme
kinetics and enzyme inhibitors. An introduction to enzyme
mechanism is dealt with by examining the serine proteases. This
is expanded to look at non-enzyme proteins by discussion of
immunoassay techniques. The theoretical work is backed up by
appropriate laboratory exercises.
This information is available for all modules at:
http://psmd.uws.ac.uk/
Module Summary – Key topics
This module covers the structures and properties of proteins
from basic amino acid structure up to quaternary structure and
allosteric proteins. A significant part of the module relates to the
properties of enzymes including enzyme specificity, the influence
of pH and temperature on enzyme reaction rates, enzyme
kinetics and enzyme inhibitors. An introduction to enzyme
mechanism is dealt with by examining the serine proteases. This
is expanded to look at non-enzyme proteins by discussion of
immunoassay techniques. The theoretical work is backed up by
appropriate laboratory exercises.
Module Summary – sub topics
This module covers the structures and properties of proteins
from basic amino acid structure up to quaternary structure and
allosteric proteins. A significant part of the module relates to the
properties of enzymes including enzyme specificity, the
influence of pH and temperature on enzyme reaction rates,
enzyme kinetics and enzyme inhibitors. An introduction to
enzyme mechanism is dealt with by examining the serine
proteases. This is expanded to look at non-enzyme proteins by
discussion of immunoassay techniques. The theoretical work is
backed up by appropriate laboratory exercises.
What will be in the exam? Using the
‘Learning Outcomes’ section
• This is the part of the module descriptor that tells you broadly
what aspects of this content you are going to be examined on
• So, in other words, the Module Summary gives you guidance
regarding the content of your notes, whilst the ‘Learning
Outcomes’ section sets out the parameters of the ways in
which your knowledge will be tested on the day of the exam
• Use as a ‘health checker’ for your notes
• We will discuss the role of past papers later on!
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module the student will be able to:
• L1. Describe in detail the key aspects of protein structure
• L2. Explain the principal properties of proteins in relation to
their structure
• L3. Describe the applications of immunoassays and develop
the ability to identify and analyse routine professional
problems
• L4. Carry out, and produce appropriate reports on, laboratory
experiments on enzymes and other proteins
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module the student will be able to:
L1. Describe in detail the key aspects of protein structure
L2. Explain the principal properties of proteins in relation to
their structure
L3. Describe the applications of immunoassays and develop
the ability to identify and analyse routine professional
problems
L4. Carry out, and produce appropriate reports on, laboratory
experiments on enzymes and other proteins
Learning Outcomes cont.
• Use the Learning Outcomes as a ‘Health Checker’ for your
notes once you think you’ve finished
• If your notes don’t cover any or part of a Learning Outcome
this is a warning sign that you could be left exposed in the
exam
• The Module Cooridinator bases the exam questions on the
Learning Outcomes, so if your notes cover all of these there
will be nothing in the exam paper that will be a surprise to
you!
Further Preparation: Using
Past Papers
• Module Descriptors tell you about the module
content and what you will be examined on
• Past papers indicate how you will be examined:
• Exam format and instructions (number of
questions/time)
• Recurring themes/issues/questions
• Approach/angles – how are the questions asked?
To review the past papers, once you are an enrolled
student please access the following link:
http://mahara.uws.ac.uk/view/view.php?id=66672
Planning your revision
• Once you have identified the topics for revision, collate your
revision materials from:
• Lecture and tutorial notes
• Previous assignments
• Books, journals and other sources
Have the module summary, learning outcomes and exam
questions in mind when you do this, and simply sort the
information according to the framework you’ve set out using the
module descriptor!
Planning your revision cont.
• Ideally, you are aiming to produce, 4 – 5 pages of
condensed material for each key element of the
module
• And then to use this as a basis for further
revision/consolidation of your knowledge
• Form study groups – remember, you are NOT in
competition with each other
Plan your revision - timing
• Set a schedule for revision
• Switch between topics/subject to avoid boredom
• Avoid long sessions – split revision into shorter chunks
of time.
• Be realistic – allow time for other things
• Remain hydrated and nourished and exercise!
Approaches to Revision
• Focus on understanding vs merely memorising answers for
regurgitation
• Continuously Summarise, re-process and analyse notes (with
module summary, learning outcomes and exam questions in
mind) until you condense them down to the required level
• Use recall strategies that work for you –
• acronyms, numbers and lists, mind maps, file cards, post its,
tables, diagrams, read things out loud, ask questions, explain to
yourself, test yourself.
• Work with others – discussion helps you to understand and
memorise information
• Practice past paper questions
• Full answers and plans/notes
• Complete paper under exam conditions
Memory Techniques:
UWS Resources
http://moodle.uws.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/290866/mod_resource/
content/1/index.htm
In order to access our excellent Effective Learning support
materials please access the link above.
On the day….before you start
answering!
• Take in a watch and place on the desk
• Set aside 5 minutes or so to prepare & read the paper
carefully
• Jot down the basic structure of your mindmaps or linear notes
• Allocate time according to marks available and set deadlines
• Running out of time? Use bullet points, there may be a few
more marks available!