Straight from the horse’s mouth 2: Key AS examiner messages from last year

So, what do the examiners have to say about AS student responses from last year? How can we make sure our AS students don't make the same mistakes?Having looked at the examiner’s reports for Unit 1 and 2 for 2013 I am seriously considering giving every student an exam paper front cover to look at over the next few weeks. It seems most of the issues are with following the exam instructions. These generic points are:#1 Write clearly in black ink and on the lines#2 Write question numbers in space provided#3 Mark ‘continue’ if you use additional sheets and don’t forget the question number

The other big focus is answering the question set. Students seem to pick up on a key word and tell the examiner everything they know about it without answering the question. Examiner comments indicate that they

#4 Should answer the question

#5 Shouldn’t give AO2 where it is not needed

#6 Should be careful with well known case studies such as Genie and not get seduced into giving every detail. Focus on what the examiner asks for specifically

#7 Should note that ‘Describe’ requires more detail than ‘Outline’

#8 Shouldn’t forget that Daily Hassles are a useful evaluation point against the SRRS

#9 Should engage with the stimulus when asked to do so: generic answers can’t get marks.

A friend of mine used an interesting tactic for her students to try and ensure they read the question paper properly. She always gave them a sweet to suck as they went in the exam and they weren’t supposed to start writing before they had finished it. I’ve only ever dared do this before and internal test, and it does make them pause and think. Might be worth a try at some point?