How to deal with difficult exam questions

Ignore them. At least for the moment.

Coming up against an exam question that doesn’t make sensecan be a real showstopper. It can ruin your whole day. But sometimes all youneed is a bit of breathing space to get your head around it. That’s tough, whenthe clock’s ticking, so here are a few angles on working around it.

Work through the answers you know

Forget about that difficult question for now. Spend yourtime answering all the stuff you do know. This will help in a couple of ways –one, you’re not sitting there sweaty and panicky, thinking I can’t do this.Two, sometimes your brain needs you to focus on something else for a littlewhile so it can chip away in the background. There’s no guarantee, but when youcome back to the question it might make more sense to you.

Break down the components

Every question is going to be connected to something you’vebeen taught this year. It’s a matter of unlocking the code. First, look at the “directive”term – that means the word like “Assess” or “Describe” which lets you know whattype of answer the markers are looking for. Next, try to figure out which areaof the syllabus you’re being asked about, to get your head in that space.Finally, there will (hopefully) be another key word or phrase that unlocks thisthing. Something specific to the question that will connect that directive termand syllabus section.

If you’re still stumped, have a crack

Some marks are better than zero marks, so even if you’re stillconfused by what you’re being asked, it’s a good idea to get some pen to paper.Do your best to use the wording of the question to shape your answer, andfingers crossed! You never know… sometimes that “chipping away” we mentioned happensduring the act of writing, like a light bulb coming on.