How To Pass An Exam: STUDY SKILLS

By MAURICIO ENRIQUE FAU

1- BEFORE THE EXAM 5 1.1 Inescapable steps of a good study 7 1.2 "The million dollar question": what will the professor ask on the exam? 10 1.3 Turning randomness into a method: techniques for identifying potential test questions 11 2- DURING THE EXAMINATION 17 2.1 General criteria to be taken into account for any type of examination 17 2.2. The written examination: characteristics 20 2.2.1 Some cases of written examinations: true-false, multiple choice, open book 21 2.2.2 The typical written examination: essay questions 24 2.2.3 A strategic question: understanding the examination instructions 25 2.2.4 The most commonly used test instructions 28 2.2.4.1 Identify, recognize, list and distinguish 29 2.2.5 The black-red-green method 42 2.2.6 How to write answers 43 2.3 The oral examination 47 3- AFTER THE EXAM 51

• Language: English
• Publisher: LA BISAGRA STUDY SKILLS
• Release date: Sep 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201433055

MAURICIO ENRIQUE FAU

Mauricio Enrique Fau nació en Buenos Aires en 1965. Se recibió de Licenciado en Ciencia Política en la Universidad de Buenos Aires. Cursó también Derecho en la UBA y Periodismo en la Universidad de Morón. Realizó estudios en FLACSO Argentina. Docente de la UBA y AUTOR DE MÁS DE 3.000 RESÚMENES de Psicología, Sociología, Ciencia Política, Antropología, Derecho, Historia, Epistemología, Lógica, Filosofía, Economía, Semiología, Educación y demás disciplinas de las Ciencias Sociales. Desde 2005 dirige La Bisagra Editorial, especializada en técnicas de estudio y materiales que facilitan la transición desde la escuela secundaria a la universidad. Por intermedio de La Bisagra publicó 38 libros. Participa en diversas ferias del libro, entre ellas la Feria Internacional del Libro de Buenos Aires y la FIL Guadalajara.

Book preview

How To Pass An Exam

STUDY SKILLS

MAURICIO ENRIQUE FAU

Published by LA BISAGRA STUDY SKILLS, 2021.

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

HOW TO PASS AN EXAM

First edition. September 24, 2021.

Copyright © 2021 MAURICIO ENRIQUE FAU.

ISBN: 979-8201433055

Written by MAURICIO ENRIQUE FAU.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

HOW TO PASS AN EXAM

1- BEFORE THE EXAM

1.1 Inescapable steps of a good study

A BAD IDEA: STAYING UP THE NIGHT BEFORE

1.2 The million dollar question: what will the professor ask on the exam?

1.3 Turning randomness into a method: techniques for identifying potential test questions

2- DURING THE EXAMINATION | 2.1 General criteria to be taken into account for any type of examination

THE BLANK MIND (OR BLANK PAGE) SYNDROME

2.2. The written examination: characteristics

2.2.1 Some cases of written examinations: true-false, multiple choice, open book

2.2.2 The typical written examination: essay questions | BEFORE STARTING TO RESPOND:

2.2.3 A strategic question: understanding the examination instructions

2.2.4 The most commonly used test instructions

2.2.4.1 Identify, recognize, list and distinguish

2.2.4.2 Exemplify

2.2.4.3 Define (and characterize or describe). Narrate

2.2.4.4 Explain

2.2.4.5 Compare and Differentiate

2.2.4.6 Argue (substantiate, justify)

2.2.5 The black-red-green method

2.2.6 How to write answers

TIPS FOR WRITING ANSWERS

2.3 The oral examination

TOOLS FOR A SUCCESSFUL ORAL EXAMINATION

BEFORE ORAL

3- AFTER THE EXAM

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Further Reading: Main Theories in Psychology

Also By MAURICIO ENRIQUE FAU

About the Author

About the Publisher

HOW TO PASS AN EXAM

MAURICIO FAU

Copyright © 2021 Mauricio Enrique Fau

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 9798724903677

DEDICATION

To my children Elías, Selva, Greta, Ciro and Yaco.

To my life's daughter Emma.

To my wife Cecilia.

1- BEFORE THE EXAM

1.1 Inescapable steps of a good study

1.2 The million dollar question: what will the professor ask on the exam?

1.3 Turning randomness into a method: techniques for identifying potential test questions

2- DURING THE EXAMINATION

2.1 General criteria to be taken into account for any type of examination

2.2. The written examination: characteristics

2.2.1 Some cases of written examinations: true-false, multiple choice, open book

2.2.2 The typical written examination: essay questions

2.2.3 A strategic question: understanding the examination instructions

2.2.4 The most commonly used test instructions

2.2.4.1 Identify, recognize, list and distinguish

2.2.5 The black-red-green method

2.2.6 How to write answers

2.3 The oral examination

3- AFTER THE EXAM

1- BEFORE THE EXAM

It may seem silly, but we will say it because sometimes what is obvious -so obvious- is not taken into account: THE THING TO DO BEFORE AN EXAM IS TO STUDY.

We discovered the gunpowder, didn't we? Well, here are some essential steps in what we call studying[1]:

To begin with, let's ask ourselves something more basic: WHAT DO WE STUDY FOR? If you answer me that we study to pass, I will tell you that you are wrong: we should not study to pass, but to LEARN. The objective of studying should not be the test or the grade. We must totally change the approach. So? You have to study to learn. So that studying becomes a habit, a habit. The exam passes, what is learned remains (must remain).

WHERE TO STUDY: in a QUIET, quiet, uncrowded, ventilated environment with a pleasant temperature.

WHEN TO STUDY: here it is necessary to create a WORK PLAN or weekly schedule. Divide the topics and tasks (reading, summarizing, exercising, answering questionnaires, reviewing). The dates of exams should not be missing in this plan, especially to prevent situations -which are common- in which several exams overlap in the same week and even on the same day!

⇨THE TEST DOES NOT JUDGE OR QUESTION US: IT EVALUATES OR MEASURES HOW MUCH WE KNOW ABOUT A CERTAIN SUBJECT

WHAT MATERIALS TO STUDY WITH: we must have everything we need at hand: pens, notebook, books, notes, dictionaries, calculator, ruler, etc.

1.1 Inescapable steps of a good study

It is essential to be very clear about the subject, the chair and the syllabus. To know the program is to have the dna of the subject.

Make a CARD of each text to be read with the most important data: title of the book, back cover, table of contents, author's biography, chapter titles, subtitles, etc.

READ before each class.

Make a FIRST READING without