These tips will help you write fantastic exam essays that answer the question, read well and make good use of your time to soothe those exam nerves!
In many subjects and qualifications, you will be required to write an essay during your final exam. This is very different from coursework essay writing. If you’ve never done it before, producing an essay under exam conditions can seem scary.
We want to take the nerves out of exam season as much as possible. That’s why we’re producing a series of guides to help you navigate your exams with ease. In today’s post, we will share our top tips for writing great exam essays.
Revise thoroughly and study past exam papers
The first step to success in any exam lies in effective revision. Start revising in plenty of time and make sure you study all the crucial points you have discussed in class. If there is a set text for the exam, this is a great time to re-read it and make notes.
Revise in the way that works for you. This might involve using flash cards, memory games, working with a friend and testing each other, or using audio or visual content. If possible, get some past papers. This will help you to understand the kinds of questions that come up and how they are phrased. You can also practise writing essays under exam conditions, which will give you confidence and make the final exam feel less scary.
Read the exam essay question several times
If you misunderstand the question or fail to answer it thoroughly, you will lose marks even on an otherwise excellent essay. Therefore, read the question several times to make sure you completely understand what is being asked of you.
Pay attention to specific words. For example, an essay question that asks you to “compare” is likely going to require you to refer to multiple texts or sources. A question that asks you to “discuss” may require considering different viewpoints and sources before coming to a conclusion on the subject.
Create a short essay plan during the exam
Use the first 5-10 minutes of the exam time to come up with an essay plan. Doing this has several functions:
- It allows you time to mind-map the key points you want to cover
- It helps you to structure your essay appropriately so it reads in an ordered and logical manner
- If you run out of time before you finish writing, it shows the examiner that you have thought about other points to include even though you didn’t have time to get to them all
It can be tempting to dive straight into writing, especially if you are worried about running out of time. But a few minutes spent planning will help you to produce a far better essay.
Trust us, it’s time well spent!
Manage your writing time carefully
As you write, pay attention to how much time is left in the exam. There is no point, for example, in spending two thirds of the exam writing your essay introduction. If you are stuck on one section and starting to worry about time, move onto the next section and come back to the difficult bit later.
Refer back to the exam question
One of the biggest mistakes students make in essay exams is in answering not the question that has been set, but the question they wish had been set. To avoid falling into this trap, refer back to the question in every section of your essay.
Everything you write should make direct steps towards answering the set question. Don’t be tempted to waste space showing off irrelevant knowledge. Instead, make sure that every paragraph is absolutely relevant to the set question and the overall direction of your essay.
Follow good essay writing conventions
Hopefully, you will have been taught essay writing skills during your coursework and exam preparation. But it can be easy to let these slide during the stress of an exam. Remembering just a few basic essay writing conventions will go a long way. Here are a few to bear in mind:
- Begin with a short introduction to introduce the topic (but don’t use the phrase “in this essay, I will…”)
- Discuss one point or idea per paragraph
- Make each point only once – do not paraphrase the same point multiple times
- Write in complete sentences
- Unless otherwise specified, use a formal tone and avoid colloquial or “chatty” language
- End with a conclusion that summarises your main argument
Pay attention to spelling and grammar
Spelling and grammar are not everything but, in most written exams, they do matter. Examiners don’t expect perfection, but you should make an effort to use correct spelling and grammar as far as possible. If there are common words that you struggle with, make practising them part of your revision process.
If you realise you have made a mistake during the exam, cross it out neatly with a single line and write the correct word in its place.
Proofread your exam essay
Ideally, you should leave a few minutes at the end of the exam to proofread your essay all the way through. This will allow you to catch any stray spelling mistakes, ensure that everything reads well, and check that you’ve answered the main question as thoroughly and clearly as possible.
Think of proofreading as an opportunity to pick up a few extra marks by making your essay as good as it can be before you hand it in.
Keep calm
If you see an exam question you were not expecting, or if you have a moment where your mind goes blank, it is easy to panic. Take a few deep breaths, sip some water, and keep calm. Remember that you can do this. You’ve studied and revised, you understand your subject, and you know what you’re doing.
Now go and write an amazing exam essay.
Exam Tips and Revision Guides
