Understanding
Computer
Systems

IN

SILENCE

!

1.

Find a seat

2.

Get out a pen

3.

Get out your revision plan
(if you have it with you)

4.

Do

NOT TOUCH

anything!

5.

Sit in

SILENCE

.

21-12-27

Understanding
Computer
Systems

Learning Outcomes

• ALL students will be able to explain(C) what

the exam pre-release scenario is about.

• MOST students will be able to compare(B) and

contrast(A) pre-release scenarios to the
revision topics and annotate the scenario with
page references so they know what to revise.

• SOME ALL students will be able to reflect(A) &

consider(A*) their own needs revision needs
against the scenario and plan out a detailed
and structured revision planner to follow.

21-12-27

LO

Understanding
Computer
Systems

Activity 1- Revision Plan Check

“Learn about back-up and recovery systems.”

• 11

days gone!

• 49

days left!

• Talk through

your revision
plan with your
partner. How is
it going?

• 2 mins

Understanding
Computer
Systems

Exam

Techniqu

e

Understanding
Computer
Systems

Learning Outcomes

• ALL students WILL be able to

Explain(C) the basics of exam
technique.

• MOST students WILL Appreciate(B)

what command words are and make
Links(A) about how to use them when
taking an exam.

• SOME students WILL Consider(A*) a

wide range of hints, tips and
techniques to use in an exam and what
to do if you hit a memory block.

21-12-27

Understanding
Computer
Systems

Why is this important

21-12-27

Put simply,
understanding

exam

technique

is not

about

what

you

know, but

how

you

apply

your

knowledge under
exam conditions

LO

Understanding
Computer
Systems

Whilst

revision

is a vital part to

getting good exam results,

examination technique

is also

important.

Key to this is the importance of
understanding “

Command

Words

”.

Command Words

“A guide to exam technique”

LO

Understanding
Computer
Systems

What do you think “

Command Words

” are?

“

Command Words

are guides in the

question which identify

how

the question

should be answered”

They are

carefully

chosen to make it clear

what the examiner is looking for.

Command Words

“A guide to exam technique”

LO

Understanding
Computer
Systems

It is important to

always read the whole

question

and to understand what

the question is getting at, as the
command word on its own may need
reinforcing with the remainder of the
question.

Top tip:

ALWAYS

HIGHLIGHT

THE

COMMAND WORDS IN EACH QUESTION

Command Words

“A guide to exam technique”

LO

Understanding
Computer
Systems

Grades

F

,

E

,

D

,

C

•

Define

•

Describe

•

Explain

•

Give

•

Identify

•

Name

•

Outline

•

State

•

What is meant by

Recall, Select & Communicate

“A guide to exam technique”

LO

Understanding
Computer
Systems

Grades

D

,

C

,

B

• Apply
• Demonstrate
• Describe
• Explain
• Give
• Give an example
• Identify
• Name
• How
• Show how
• Using
• Using examples
• What would be the benefit / costs of
• Which
• Why

Apply knowledge, Understanding &

Skills

“A guide to exam technique”

LO

Understanding
Computer
Systems

Grades

B

,

A

,

A*

•Advise
•Analyse
•Assess
•Assess the relative importance
•Compare and contrast
•Consider
•Critically assess
•Discuss
•Evaluate
•Explain
•Explain why
•Identify
•Justify
•Organise
•Show how
•What
•What factors
•Which
•Why

Analyse & Evaluate

“A guide to exam technique”

LO

Understanding
Computer
Systems

What did you notice about the
words in the lists?

“Certain words appeared in more than one

category. This is where the

rest of the

question is important

in giving you the full

picture of what is required.”

Command Words?

“A guide to exam technique”

LO

Understanding
Computer
Systems

In your pairs analyse the exam questions given
to you.

1. Read the

whole

question in full

2. Highlight the “

command words

” and any other

key

words

you feel are important

3. Mark the question with a

1

,

2

or

3

(

Use the

instructions on the sheet

)

10 mins

Time to practice

“A guide to exam technique”

LO

Understanding
Computer
Systems

The first few minutes…

When you hear those magic words “You
may now turn over the paper and begin”:

• Avoid

the temptation to rush in

• Adopt a

calm

, methodical approach

• Read

the instructions

carefully

• Make sure you

understand

what you

have to do

Hints and tips in the exam

“A guide to exam technique”

LO

Understanding
Computer
Systems

During the exam…

Spend the right amount of time on each question.

• The exam is out of

60

marks

• The exam is

1

hour long

• Each exam question tells you how many marks it is

• So how long should you spend on each question?

Hints and tips in the exam

“A guide to exam technique”

LO

Understanding
Computer
Systems

During the exam…

• Look for the questions that relate to those parts of the

course you have revised the most.

• Read the question carefully

before you attempt to answer

it.

– What

exactly

is it asking?

– Does the question have more than one part?
– Make sure to

underline

key words (look for those

command

words)

• Having done all this, is the question about what you think

it is?

• Make sure to

relate

your answer to the scenario.

• The first half of the exam has questions for

scenario 1

,

the second half for

scenario 2.

Hints and tips in the exam

“A guide to exam technique”

LO

Understanding
Computer
Systems

If your mind goes blank…

• DON’T PANIC

• If you have a plan you’re less likely

to go blank in the middle of a
question.

• If this happens go on to the next

question and come back later to the
one you were tackling.

Hints and tips in the exam

“A guide to exam technique”

LO

Understanding
Computer
Systems

Revision Plan – Stick to it!

“Learn about back-up and recovery systems.”

Remember!

The best way
to do well in
your exam is
to revise a
little every
day.

Good luck!