STUDENT LETTER - Approaching The Examination - Venue-Based

Dear Student,
The examination period is approaching. This is the time for you to demonstrate your knowledge, academic competence,
and your ability to reach the outcomes set for the relevant module. All the work covered in and completed for the module,
including assignments and tests, prepares you for this final assessment. Below follows guidance on how to approach the
upcoming venue-based examinations. In this Student Letter we cover three stages of the examination process, namely
Stage 1: Before the Examination, Stage 2: On the day of the Examination, and Stage 3: After the Examination. These are
followed by guidelines for typical examination question types, including multiple-choice questions, short questions, and
essay questions.
Stage 1:
Before the examination
Before the examination, you need to:

✓ understand the examination requirements,
✓ revise and study,
✓ plan and make arrangements, and
✓ maintain a positive attitude.
Understand the examination requirements

It is important that you study the updated information related to your examination requirements for each of your modules.
The most updated information will be captured on the CANVAS@mySTADIO Learning Management System (LMS).
You will find the EXAMINATION button on the turquoise band on the Home Page of the relevant module. Refer to the
ABOUT THIS MODULE page on CANVAS@mySTADIO where you will find the Module Outcomes, the Study Guide,
and the Assessment Guidelines document for each module. Also, consult the LEARNING FACILITATION section on
CANVAS@mySTADIO and any Announcements or other communication by your lecturer. Here are some tips to guide
you:
✓ Make sure that you understand what the weighting of the examination mark is and how your final mark is
calculated.
✓ Study the examination rules that pertain to access to the examination, rewriting, and re-marking.
✓ Find out what the examination requirements are. For example, is it an open or closed-book examination and
what kind of questions can you expect?
✓ Find up-to-date information on the examination centre or venue and address, as well as the time and date of
the examination.
✓ If you require support for special physical or learning needs, timeously communicate this to the relevant
staff.
Revise and study

Allow adequate time for revision and self-assessment to prepare for the examination. Follow the guidance provided in
your study material, and specifically consider the feedback that you received on your formative assessments, for example,
assignments and/or tests.
✓ Allow enough time for revision and self-assessment.
✓ Familiarise yourself with the unit/chapter/topic outline as set out in the Study Guide and your module on
CANVAS@mySTADIO.
✓ It is important to understand each section of the work in relation to the overall context of the module.
✓ Study any examination guidance provided by your lecturer and focus on the areas identified in the
assignment feedback, that need improvement.
✓ Look for a sample examination question paper or sample questions provided on CANVAS@mySTADIO.
These will help you to understand how you will be tested in the examination, in other words, the types of
questions and the mark allocations that you can expect. Practice answering these under realistic time
constraints so that you become familiar with how you will have to perform on the day.
✓ Revisit the material many times. Effective revision requires more than just reading or highlighting material.
Plan and make arrangements

Good planning and arrangements will help you to feel confident and remain calm on the day of the examination. Note the
following hints and suggestions:
✓ Compile a checklist of all the items that you need and all the actions that you need to perform to prepare for
the examination.
✓ Start your examination preparation early - formulate clear goals and carefully organise your time
✓ Plan your route to reach the venue in time, considering that there may be unexpected traffic delays.
Maintain a positive attitude

Exams require knowledge, skills, practice, and a positive attitude. It is very important that you maintain a positive attitude
towards your studies so that you can perform at your best on the examination day. Imagine yourself achieving success and
avoid negative self-talk.
Stage 2:
On the day of the examination
On the day of the examination, take note of:

✓ how to go about getting ready for the examination, and
✓ what to do during the examination.
Getting ready for the examination
On the day of the examination, try to stay calm, be on time, and be well-prepared.
✓ Have a good breakfast and wear comfortable clothes.
✓ Re-read your summaries, but don’t try to cram new information.
✓ If you find yourself panicking, take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that you can do it.
✓ Make sure to arrive well on time.
✓ Check that you have several pens and everything else you are allowed to bring with you to the exam.
✓ Don’t talk to other students right before the exam: stress can be contagious.
During the examination

A closed-book exam is the most common form of examination. Because you must rely on your knowledge only, it is
important that you manage your time carefully. For an open-book examination, make sure that you have all the relevant
learning material and resources at hand.
✓ Use your reading time effectively to get an overview of the structure of the paper.
✓ Read all instructions very carefully. Be clear about what sections and questions are compulsory and select
the questions you will answer.
✓ Study the questions and plan the amount of time you will spend on each question. Consider that the time
allocated per question should be proportional to the total marks. For example, if a question is worth 30% of
the marks, you should allocate about 30% of your time to it.
✓ Decide on the sequence in which you will answer questions. Make sure that you do not leave compulsory
questions until the end. Answer the easier questions first to boost your confidence and perhaps even allow
you to gain some extra time that you can spend on more difficult questions.
✓ Do not leave the examination venue until you:
- have answered all the questions,
- made sure that you structured and numbered your answers correctly, and
- checked the spelling, grammar, punctuation, decimals, and other technical details.
Stage 3:
After the examination
It is important to take some time after the examination to reflect on it. Make notes of your observations and insights to
implement and improve the next time. Below are suggestions for typical types of questions that you should ask yourself:
✓ Were you able to keep to your exam timetable and planning?
✓ Name any issues that you did not clarify with your lecturer.
✓ Did the type of exam questions surprise you?
✓ Were you able to finish the question paper in the allocated timeframe?
✓ What would you do the same, or differently, the next time?
Types of examination questions
MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
When answering multiple-choice questions in the examination, you must know the material well – guessing won’t get you
very far. You are advised to:
✓ Start by eliminating the answers that you know are incorrect.
✓ Next, eliminate answers that contradict common sense or are illogical.
✓ Then eliminate questions that you cannot understand – these are likely to be incorrect
✓ Read all the alternatives, even if you think the first one is correct.
✓ Sometimes it is preferable to think about what the correct answer might be before looking at the
alternatives.
✓ Be careful of options that include absolutes such as ‘always’, ‘never’, ‘all’, ‘none’ – they will often make a
statement false.
✓ Be especially careful of negatives – these may be in questions that include phrases like ‘Which of these is
not...?’ and/or ‘All of these except…’.
✓ Watch your time carefully. Do not spend too much time on one question.
SHORT QUESTIONS
Short questions may vary in length (from 1 to 20 marks depending on the question). When you must provide short
answers, take note of the following:
✓ Respond directly to the question and focus on keywords and ideas related to the question.
✓ Write concise answers - if you provide too much information, you may lose the focus of the question and
make it difficult to mark your answers.
ESSAY QUESTIONS
Answering essay questions will often require you to give an opinion, develop an idea, apply a theory, discuss a position,
evaluate options, and/or critically assess different scenarios or theories.
✓ Explain your ideas clearly and produce specific examples.
✓ Before writing, properly plan the structure of the answer - as you would for an essay assignment.
✓ Stick to the instructions that come with the questions and answer the questions precisely and concisely.
✓ Clearly present your arguments and ideas – the marker cannot read your unexpressed thoughts.
✓ When writing by hand, make sure to write neatly so that the marker can read your answers without difficulty.
✓ Structure the answer into different sections with headings – markers will have difficulty following a poorly
structured answer.
To conclude, we wish you well with the examination. In the famous words of Dr. Seuss:
“ You’ll move mountains! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!
– Dr. Seuss
© STADIO
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic,
electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise.

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Dear Student,

Before the examination, you need to:

Understand the examination requirements

Revise and study

Plan and make arrangements

Maintain a positive attitude

On the day of the examination, take note of:

During the examination

“ You’ll move mountains! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting.

So…get on your way!

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