Strategic Test Taking and Preparation

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When I first started university, I always heard people say that most humanities exams are “impossible to study for.” The common formats of humanities exams, including short answer and essay-based questions, can be intimidating- but with online classes and open-book exams, being able to strategically answer and prepare for them is increasingly important.

The key in mastering short answers vs. essays for me has been knowing the difference in my approach to answering them. Knowing how to answer questions for maximum marks can display how well you have prepared to your instructor, and sets the foundation for how you prepare.

To start thinking about how to study for these formats, it is useful to first know what is expected from us. When I am well prepared, I tackle these exams with a little checklist (similar to that below) in my head depending on the format of the question. Having this checklist helps me make sure I am not forgetting to mention something in the adrenaline of the exam.

How to Answer:

Short Answer:

• Straightforward, concise
• Can sometimes be written in point form
• Steps:
  1. Define the concept as succinctly as possible.
  2. Write max one-two sentences to centre concepts in relevant coursework.
  3. One sentence bringing out implications of the concept as you have described it, in relation to your coursework (this last point is super great if you can get it in.)

Essay:

• Essay questions are not just longer short answer questions. There are specific things professors tend to look for in both.
• Argue something!
  • While describing the topic like a short answer question will give you partial marks, having an argument is what my instructors have really looked for.
• Case studies and theory heavy
  • Apply case studies that are relevant to the question either from personal knowledge or ones which have been previously referred to in the course.
  • Being able to apply original theoretical analysis, and to supply case studies which ground the argument in your essay, can take your answer from passable to exceeding expectations.

 
I have learned that test-taking is a skill that can be honed to best present the knowledge you have and still answer what exams demand/expect, but it is a skill that requires good prep work to shine. With many humanities courses shifting to open-book exams, how we delegate our time for preparation can make all the difference.
 
With this in mind, how should we prepare? Studying is a highly individual practice, and varies based on the student, the exam, and the course. Within PoliSci, Human Geography, and History, the way I have personally benefited from the most is a mix of classic memorization and critical application. (Here are some helpful general study toolkits on Thinking Critically, Preparing for Exams, and Taking Notes.)

How to Prep:

1. Definitions of concepts

• Understanding the systems and ideas in a course is critical for any exam format, but exact or paraphrased definitions are especially important for short answer questions because they are concise and “instructor approved”.

2. Theoretical understanding

• Understanding the basics of theoretical frameworks will enable you to integrate that in your own analysis for essay questions.
• The theories vary depending on relevant theories to your coursework, but frequent examples can be realism, liberalism, marxism, postcolonialism, etc.

3. Case studies

• Have at least three examples from the course (either covered in lectures, tutorials, texts) on hand, which can be applied to a variety of topics.
• Often case studies are pliable and can be relevant to many courses. For example, readings on unethical factory practices from GEOG 122 can be relevant to POLI260, as they both cover globalization and neocolonialism.

By following these guidelines, I am able to keep concrete structures in mind for each question type to help prepare for my humanities courses’ exams. Let us know what works for you… and good luck with your preparation!