StandardGradeExamAdvice

=General Exam Advice - Standard Grade=


 * __Reading Exam__**


 * Read the whole text first
 * Read each question carefully (for example, are you asked to answer **//in your own words//** ?)
 * Take your answers from the correct section of the text (if you are asked for an answer in lines 16-22, for example, then must take information from this selection **only** to get the marks)
 * Check the number of marks available for each question at the ride hand side of the page. Remember:
 * **2 1 0** = 2 marks available. Give one answer for each mark unless you are asked for **//three//** answers, in which case three correct answers are required to gain two marks, two correct answers will gain one mark, and no marks are awarded for giving only one correct answer.
 * ****2 **█ ****** **0** = 2 marks available. Give one answer for both marks


 * __Writing Exam__**


 * **Think before you write!** Read the whole question paper and select two or three questions that you could answer. Think about what you might write for each one, and choose the question that you feel the most comfortable about answering.
 * **Plan before you write!** Quickly lay out a brief plan, outlining the answer that you intend to write.
 * Learn to recognise the different types of questions being asked:
 * **Personal reflective essay**. You recognise these because you are reminded to 'include your **thoughts and feelings**'. In this type of essay you write about a particular incident in your life. You **should not** simply retell the story - instead you should focus on how you felt and what you were thinking before, during and after the event, as well as your reflections as you look back on the incident now (how has it affected you as a person?). Remember to **//show//** feelings, rather than just tell the reader about them.
 * **Short story**. You are asked to **write a short story** and to develop **setting, character** and **plot**. Answering this involves producing a piece of creative writing which successfully develops **all three** of the aspects mentioned in the question.
 * **Discursive essay**. The question is in the form of a statement following by '**Give your views'**. You answer this type of question by explaining how you feel about the topic and backing up your opinion with reasoned arguments and, if possible, evidence.
 * **Descriptive essay**. You are asked to **'Describe the scene...'** . Use descriptive writing techniques to paint a picture of a particular scene.
 * **Newspaper/magazine article.** The questions instructs you to write an article about a particular topic. If answering this type of question you **must** be able to incorporate the standard features of a media text (interviews, facts & figures, headlines etc.).
 * **Write in paragraphs!** You have been using paragraphs for years - use them in the exam or you will not get the marks that your writing may otherwise deserve.
 * **Punctuate properly!** Use commas, colons, semi-colons, dashes, brackets, exclamation marks, question marks, apostrophes, inverted commas and full stops carefully and correctly.
 * **Note:** this is particularly important when using direct speech!

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