June 2018

8 marks, 8 points, 8 sentences

That could be identification sentences, explanation sentences, examination sentences, procedural sentences, evidence sentences, criticising sentences ….

You see a question, note the marks (say 8), divide by 2 (4), read + think + plan (4 minutes)

In that 4 minutes, you need 8 separate, relevant, correct, markable points

They could be identify (4) + explain (4)

When you’re planning what you can write in answer to this (part) question, you should get the feel of how many ‘identify’ points are available and therefore how many ‘explain’ points are relevant

Get hold of a revision kit and select a question and then read the answer.

As you read through the answer, try to identify the markable point within each sentence … there isn’t always one – sometimes there is none and other times there may be 2 – but at least try to identify those salient points

Now, take each of those points and see if you can construct a 3 line sentence that explains that one point

Keep doing that! Keep practicing that technique

It’s really quite distressing for tutors repeatedly to have to read about students running out of time. It’s not possible! You go into that room KNOWING that you have 195 minutes.

The only reasons for ‘running out of time’ are:

– you don’t know how to tell the time
– you are totally lacking in self-discipline
– you know too much and try to get it all in to an answer
– you have misread the question
– you’ve totally failed to realise that an 8 mark question is not worth more than 20ish lines

OK?