Essay exams are common in the humanities and social sciences.

They test your ability to read accurately and to write within a limited amount of time.

An essay exam should prove your understanding of a subject and should also show how you interpret the material, make connections, see relationships, draw comparisons and contrasts, and justify your evaluations.

Essay exams could involve several short answers or a long take home exam.

An essay exam requires you to use specific information to demonstrate your understanding of topics discussed in the class.

1. Go to class and be on time

2. Pay attention and take notes

3. Review notes and do the assignments

4. Ask questions

5. Before the test, review the material

6. The day of the exam be prepared. Bring required materials.

If you are given a study guide, use it. Have loose-leaf paper and pens, dictionary and books if allowed.

7. Read the question or questions and analyze it to understand what kind of answer you are expected to give.

Look for key words in questions. The wording of a question implies a specific answer.

8. Think of a general answer before you develop it. There will be no time to rewrite or revise.

9. Do not present unsupported, unexplained generalizations.

Do not be vague or you will only show how little you know about the topic.

Do not be wordy or repetitious to hide your ignorance.

Do not waste any time. See how many questions should be answered and how long the answers should be. Then manage your time so that you can answer all the questions you are expected to answer.

If short answers are required, complete them quickly. For a paragraph-long answer, list the main ideas that you plan to discuss to organize the information.

For a longer answer, you need more planning. Use a scratch outline since you have time for one draft only.

For a question with different parts, make a list so that you will not leave anything out. At the same time be selective because you cannot use everything that you know. For short answers start with a general statement, then support it with examples. Use complete sentences. For long answers state the thesis. Be clear. Focus on the topic. Use key terms.

Draw a line to correct. Your paper must be legible. Do not repeat to fill up space. Avoid answers that are irrelevant, inadequate, unclear, or self-contradictory.

Keep track of time. Proofread. If you run out of time, list your answers even though you do not develop them.

1. Analyze means to take apart, to look for connections between main ideas to determine major assumptions (ideas taken for granted).

2. Define /classify means to place in categories that state the genus (larger group) and the species (specific group).

3. Summarize means to condense the main ideas and their relationships.

4. Compare/ contrast means to show similarities and differences with emphasis on one or the other. A comparison/ contrast can be organized in the following ways:

a) subject by subject

b) point by point

c) first similarities, then differences

5. Cause/effect means to identify circumstances responsible for a particular result.

6. Critique or evaluate means to express an opinion and give reasons for it.

Other things that you may have to do include:

1. Comment on a quotation. It may be a controversial statement that can be explained using ideas covered in class.

2. Synthesize information. Combine ideas from different sources to explain a main point.

3. Identify material. It could be quotes, concepts, and terms. You will also need to explain their significance.

4. Explain the importance of ______. This requires your understanding of the subject.

5. Apply concepts to works. Using a general idea, discuss how it applies to concepts covered in class.