Command Words and Exam Technique
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Command Words
Exam technique is something that you develop as you practice more exam questions.
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By mastering the exam technique, you will ensure that you apply your knowledge correctly to answer the question.
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Assessment Objectives
A01 - Knowledge
A02 - Explanations/development of points
A03 - Evaluation
A04 - Geographical skills
Breaking down the question
Before attempting a question it is important to break it down to understand what the question is asking.
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Consider -
Command word - what does it mean? how will you need to structure your answer?
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Key terms - what do the key terms in the answer mean?
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Use of figures /examples - if you are given a figure, you must refer to this directly in your answer.
You must also refer to a case study or example if this question asks you to. you will limit your marks otherwise.
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Number of marks -Think about the structure of you answer for different marks of question? How many developed points will you need? Remember you need a conclusion for a 9 mark question!
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Exam Technique
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Download this document which provides guidance include as to how to answer different mark exam questions. it also includes a detailed support sheet for 9 mark questions!
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How to answer 9 mark questions...
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Use of Figures
You must refer to the figure in your answer if you are given one.
eg. In the figure you can see that.
For example, in Figure 9
Figure 9 shows that...
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Describing a graph
1) Look at the overall trend.
2) Refer to data from the graph as evidence.