ABSTRACT
The key to writing exam essays is preparation, both before and during the actual exam. Exam essays are meant to follow the same conventions as other student essays. Exam essays must attempt to answer the question by showing the students knowledge of the subject matter and their ability to analyse the topic by explaining various issues or applying relevant theories. Essay exams generally take three basic forms: the closed-book exam, the open-book exam and the take-home/online exam. The old adage that ‘practice makes perfect’ is the key to doing well at exams. Part of the student’s preparation should involve doing a ‘dummy run’—that is, writing an essay under exam conditions and time constraints. It makes sense that the more the students do something, the easier and less stressful it will become. It is amazing how few students prepare for an exam essay in this way.
