Exam Preparation and Guidelines

Overview of Exam Guidelines

  • The discussion emphasizes the preparation and rules for an examination setting.

General Expectations

  • Handwritten submission required.
  • Students should bring necessary writing instruments:
    • Bring extra pens or pencils to avoid running out during the exam.

Exam Logistics

  • Water bottles must be placed on the floor, not under desks.
  • A note-taking strategy:
    • Utilize the back page of the exam booklet for notes.
  • Potential length of the exam booklet:
    • At least five pages long, assuming at least one blank page available.
    • Pages of the exam booklet cannot be torn out; however, students can request an additional booklet if necessary.

Location Details

  • Moulson Building, Room 2.255.
  • There are three classrooms; students will be assigned based on alphabetical order.

Identification and Seating Assignments

  • Students must bring their Concordia student ID, which is their identification for entry into the exam.
  • Seating assignments are given a number, designated by invigilators, and should be followed strictly.
    • Example: "One, two, three, etc."
  • Attendance sheets will indicate each student’s seat during the exam to monitor arrangements and prevent cheating.

Exam Protocols

  • Personal belongings must be left at the front or back of the room during the exam.
  • An invigilator will ask students to sign in, confirming their presence.
  • At the conclusion, students return their exam and retrieve their ID, confirming submission with initials.
  • Strict rules against cell phones:
    • Phones should be turned off and stored away.
  • Water bottles are permitted but must be placed on the floor.

Time Management

  • Invigilators will announce time, typically every 15-20 minutes.
  • Students are encouraged to bring a non-phone timepiece to monitor exam duration.
  • Suggested structure for time allocation:
    • At least one hour for the essay portion.
    • 15 minutes at the start for reading and settling in.
    • 10-15 minutes at the end for concluding remarks.
  • Practice this time management technique to maximize scoring potential.

Writing Guidelines

  • Writing should be done preferably in pen, though pencils are allowed if needed.
  • Follow the instruction to write double spaced or every other line to facilitate grading.
  • You are advised to plan your response structure carefully to maximize the potential for a good final piece.

Exam Content Overview

  • Exam splits into sections, with the essay contributing significantly (50% of the total grade).
  • You may select the order in which to complete sections based on personal preference.
  • Encouragement for strategic planning in tackling quotes and essays due to varying weightings.
  • Important to ensure all sections are addressed to avoid losing marks.

Quotation and Referencing

  • Specific artists or titles may not be provided in exam prompts; you must decide which to include based on available knowledge.
  • Both author and text titles should be referenced as accurately as possible, but slight misunderstandings won't heavily penalize.
  • Only unique quotations must be selected during the examination process. No repeats allowed on authors.

Essay Structure

  • Essays should conform to a general structure of introduction, body, and conclusion but aren’t limited strictly to a five-paragraph format.
  • Length is not a determining factor but completeness and clarity are essential.
  • Students are encouraged to make thoughtful outlines or rough plans prior to writing full paragraphs.
  • Partial completions should include a concise conclusion to avoid losses of marks.

Comparison in Essays

  • Essays may compare various authors and texts, allowing students to demonstrate breadth of knowledge.
  • Question guidelines will not prescribe authors; rather, you must determine which authors work best for each prompt.
  • Students should highlight stylistic differences when discussing authors.

Poetic Analysis During Exams

  • Students are encouraged to identify poetic devices and their effects within passages provided.
  • Expect to identify devices such as simile, alliteration, and enjambment, and understand their implications in the text.
  • Engage critically with the passage by discussing themes and stylistic elements distinct to various authors.

Reflection and Study Strategy

  • Reflect on individual learning and text styles to enhance literary analysis.
  • Think about unique qualities of each poet and their distinguishing characteristics to prepare for comparisons.
  • Encourage study sessions focused on identifying similarities and differences across themes and techniques to bolster writing capabilities for the exam.

Final Remarks

  • Time management during the exam is pivotal to success, aligning personal strategies with the structure of the exam format.
  • Ensure familiarity with the wording and expected outputs of the exam prompts in advance of the test date to alleviate anxiety and focus on delivering the best responses possible.