Tips For Taking Essay Exams

The following tips are tried-and-true hints for taking essay exams.

  1. Read the question carefully to see what approach to take.
  2. Make a quick list of the points you want to make before you start writing your answer.
  3. Have a straightforward thesis or topic sentence that lets the instructor know exactly what you are going to say.
  4. Be very orderly; go from point to point in a specific order.
  5. Give a lot of details, examples, and illustrations. Fill your answer with specifics.
  6. Be sure your answer communicates to the instructor that you know the material.