Examination strategy

Abstract

You should have seen some old (past) papers set on the particular syllabus for which you have entered, or, even if you are taking a new syllabus, the examination board will have published a specimen paper for your information. Study the papers carefully and take particular note of the rubric, that is the instructions at the start of the paper telling you how many questions to attempt, how much time you are allowed to answer the paper, what materials (formulae book, tables etc.) are supplied, and whether you should start the answer to each question on a fresh page. For example, if the rubric states ‘In calculations you are advised to show intermediate steps and answers in your working,’ it means precisely that, and if you do not show intermediate steps then marks are very likely to be lost; and, if just a final wrong answer is shown (everything being done by calculator), then you will gain no marks at all.