First Year Theology Students after a
hard day in the Exam Hall
Preparing for Examinations in
Theology
Workshop 21 November, 2008
Before we begin …
Take two minutes to jot down a few
thoughts for yourself (not for sharing) so
be honest
– What most worries me about the exams is ….
Outline of the Session
1.
A general overview
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2.
Why examinations?
Revision –what and how
On the day
An examiner’s view of examinations
Subject by Subject
Systematic Theology
Moral Theology
Scripture
3.
Questions and Comment
Why examinations?
Examinations are part of the learning
process
– An element in assessment
The assessment has already started – Continuous
Assessment
– Stimulus to order your thoughts
– Help you to think under pressure
– Satisfaction of knowing that you have studied
– Step on the way to your degree and future
career
Revision –what and how
Revision: a. The action of revising or
looking over again; esp. critical or careful
examination or perusal with a view to
correcting or improving. Also spec., the
action of going over a subject that has
already been learnt, esp. in preparation
for an examination. (Oxford English
Dictionary)
“going over a subject that has already
been learnt”
– You are (well, should not be) not seeing it for
the first time!
– Reviewing – putting into order all the material
at your disposal e.g.
Course outline
Lecture Notes – lecturer’s handouts and your own
Text Book
MOODLE
Notes of your reading and study
Get a framework!
– What was the aim of this course?
– If in doubt, look at the aim in Course Module
in Kalendarium
– What were the main sections – how do they
relate to one and other?
Test yourself!
– Try to write outline answers to possible
questions without consulting the textbook or
notes
How to Revise
What works for you
We are all different and work to different rhythms
Spread it out – don’t leave it to the end
Revise actively
Note-taking
Learning – e.g. definitions
Synthesizing – making connections
Test yourself e.g. questions in text-book
Half hour of active revision better than two just
turning over the pages
If you get stuck, take a break – walk, coffee etc
Practical Tips
Time of Day
We are all different and work to different rhythms
Alone or with others?
What works for you
If working with others, need discipline!
– e.g. time, place, how long will we work, what method will
we use …
A Balanced Life
Don’t let the other bits of your life disappear
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Socialising, sport, family
Fresh air helps the brain
Adequate sleep
Drink and study don’t mix
A Word to Mature Students
Your first exams are another adventure – enjoy
it!
Your fears are reasonable e.g.
‘I’ve never done a written exam before’
– You’ve done lots of new things since September!
‘The old memory lets me down’
– but it is not just memory work
How will I get through so much?
– Take it in stages and pace yourself
Talk about them to your mentor or lecturers
At the Examination
Read the instructions you will get before the
examination carefully
Check the time-table for
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exam dates
Times
Place – Ist Theology exams usually in Top Loftus
First day check your seat on the plan
Arrive on time but not too early
Comparing notes with others can make you nervous
Fill out all the details at top of the script,
and each subsequent one fully and
correctly
Follow the instructions of the invigilators
Follow instructions on the question paper
If it says ‘two questions’ do two, not three
Take some time to plan the answer – rough work
Keep an eye on the clock
Read the final product before the end
What do I do if I get a
blank?
– Pause for breath and
relax
– Look at your rough
work
– Try writing a couple of
sentences at the end
of your rough work
– Continue
– only in very extreme
cases should you start
all over again
What are they
looking for?
An examiner’s view of
examinations
Examiner’s View of Exams
1. We are on your side!
– An exam not an attempt to trip you up
– We love to see you thinking!
– We do not have to meet a ‘failure quota!’
– Failing you means more work for us!
– We DO like you and want you to do well
 I need to be able to read your
paper, so write clearly
 keep your handwriting neat
 use space intelligently
 skip a few lines between answers
 number answers as on exam paper
 you are not illuminating the Book of
Kells, so no colours please
 Answer the question as it is set, not as
you wish it had been set
 Exam questions are never set in the
‘tell everything you know about …’
format
 Make sure you understand what the
question means – note words like
 ‘Outline
…’
 ‘Discuss ..’
 ‘Compare …’
 ‘Give examples …’
Three examples from past papers
– Comment on the two versions of the
Covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15 and
17, highlighting any important points of
theological interest. (Scripture)
– Outline the teaching of Dei Verbum on the
transmission of divine revelation.
(Systematic)
Underlining in the original paper.
– Write a short note on each of the following
(a) principle of double effect, (b)
intrinsically evil acts (c) formal and
material norms. Give examples of each.
(Moral)
 It helps to have a beginning, a middle
and an end!
 A logical order to your presentation –
spend some time marshalling your ideas
 A good introductory paragraph is essential
It should be an advance summary of what you
intend doing in the answer
 Round off with a brief conclusion
 Be sure you understand the technical
terms of your subject
 Do not write out long biblical quotations
(they are easier to read in the bible).
Just give the reference (Chapter and
verse) and enough to make your point
 Please re-read your paper for spelling
and writing mistakes
Common errors in exam scripts
 over-use of apostrophe
Apostrophe is a sign of possession, not plural.
 But ‘it’s’ means ‘it is,’ not ‘of it’
 confusion of ‘where’ and ‘were’, ‘there’ and
‘their’
 using past participle for past tense – e.g.
‘she done’ for ‘she did,’ ‘he rung’ for ‘he
rang’
 do not use ‘textese’
Do your own work! Plagiarism is against the rules
After the Exams …
Take a rest!
We look forward to seeing you back for
second semester – begins 2 February
Interim results (letter grade A, B, C etc) will
be posted on the notice board according to
numbers
‘interim’ because all results need to be passed by
Examination Board – in your interests
If you have a query, there is a Consultation Day
What it is all about –
roll on November 2011!
A student’s prayer
O wise God, I pray that my mind might be rested,
my body energized, and my spirit inspired for the
exam I must write. Grant me peace and
assurance so that I might do the best I am able,
regardless of what that might be. Be with my
fellow students and may I be a good example to
them, offering reassurance and confidence
regardless of how I feel. May I be honest and
insightful, and able to give a true record of what I
have learned. In the end, may any
disappointment be borne with grace, and any joy
accompanied with humility. I write this exam with
you, O Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.