Are you Ready?

So tomorrow is the exam... hopefully you are not beginning you're studying tonight, but all the same, here are some exam writing tips that might help out.   Remember, you have so much information in your mind - it just takes a bit of work to get it out.  Be patient with yourself, and most of all - be positive!

1.  Do not be overwhelmed by the size of the test - there are not very many multiple choice questions per page, so it seems a lot bigger than it is.
2.  Make sure you are careful on the bubble sheet - erase completely! don't leave any blanks!  no one will check your scantron for you - you are responsible.
3. Get a good night's sleep tonight, and make sure you eat a big lunch before the exam
Bring a snack to tide you over while you are writing, and lots of water
4.  The exam is in the large gym.  Make sure you are there by 12:45pm
5. Dress in layers, that way it won't matter if you're hot/cold
6. DO NOT BE THE FIRST TO LEAVE.... go over your exam, review your answers, edit your work.
7. Bring extra, pens, erasers, etc. just in case
8. Manage your time - 1 min. per MC question, and 45 min per essay.  Then take the remaining time to review your work.
9. Read over the essay questions first, and then record notes/vocab terms from the MC that you will use during the essay.

MC Hints

• Look for clue words. Absolutes "never, all, every, etc." often indicate a wrong answer as the world is rarely black and white
• Choose the best answer - not the first answer you see.... watch out for tricks
• Trust your gut instinct, don't erase your first answer unless you are sure its wrong
• Notice the order of the MC - government, then history, then geography..  The history questions are in chronological order. 
• Read the directions carefully - especially on matching, true/false sections

Essay Hints: 

• Read the question very carefully and look for command words
• Describe - this is asking you to offer details, pay attention to the time frame, and organize your work chronologically if possible
• Assess/Evaluate/To what extent - This is asking for you opinion - create a pos/neg or yes/no/somewhat organizer to plan your essay. 
• Make sure your thesis is clear, easy to find, and that it answers the question directly
• Use transition, and make sure you stay on topic - a good thesis statement should be evident in each body paragraph
• Intro - Make sure you define the terms, and give the reader some background info.  "Warm-up" the reader and get them ready for what you have to say
• Concl - Hint at what comes next in history, or the future so that you show your understanding of how the event or issue sits in chronological history.  Acknowledge opposing points of view.
• Try and keep the rhetorical questions in check, and be wary of using terms like always, never, all, most, etc. 
• Use specific examples wherever possible.