Assessments

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Ask most students what their least favourite thing is about university and a majority will probably put assessments in their top five. However, they do not have to be so daunting!

• Six things you can do to prepare in the last 30 seconds before you look at an exam paper
• Preparing and submitting assessed work
• Choosing assessed courses
• Producing a dissertation (if you have a choice)
• Viva and project interviews

Six things you can do to prepare in the last 30 seconds before you look at an exam paper

1. Relax your shoulders: make sure that they are not up around your ears!

2. Relax your tongue: it is a large muscle and will help relax your whole upper body.

3. Breathe deeply for a few seconds: concentrate on breathing out fully.

4. Check the obvious: are you in the right room, at the right desk?

5. Run through in your mind the last minute facts that you need to remember.

6. Breathe deeply again once more just before you look at the paper.

Preparing and submitting assessed work

Do:

1. Be clear about the submission date: there will be penalties if you are late.

2. Prepare your personalised reading list well in advance.

3. Learn how to produce a bibliography and prepare it as you progress.

4. If you use your own title, check that it is acceptable before you begin to work.

5. Make a detailed plan, including your timing, and stick to it.

Don't:

1. Let your word count get out of control: reassess as soon as it begins to spiral.

2. Leave university at the end of term without handing your assessed work in.

3 . Assume that you have to stick to the standard reading list: personalise it.

4. Use your own title without getting it approved in detail.

5. Keep quiet about even minor queries: help is there if you are unsure about anything.

Choosing assessed courses

1. You will avoid examinations.

2. You will have the opportunity to plan your work in advance.

3. You may have more flexibility over the areas of a subject that you study.

4. You may have more liaison with your tutor over the work that you undertake.

5. You can complete some courses before you have to think about exams.

1. You will have to be disciplined about covering the work.

2. You will be working to deadlines: time management will be crucial.

3. You might be in a small group and will have to ask for help as you progress.

4. Expectations will be high: you will have to maintain a steady work rate.

5. Re-take opportunities may be limited.

Producing a dissertation (if you have a choice)

Pros:

1. It will give you the chance to explore an area of your subject in detail and at length.

2. You will be able to manage your time in a way that suits you.

3. It looks good on a CV if you have a dissertation to include and discuss at interview.

4. You will be working closely with an expert in the field.

5. You will reduce your examination workload.

Cons:

1. You will have to work to a deadline that is unlikely to be extended.

2. You might have to hunt around for secondary material to support your work.

3. You might be working on your dissertation during the vacations.

4. You will have to keep to a strict word count and to plan accordingly.

5. You may lose enthusiasm for your subject as the work progresses.

Viva and project interviews

Do:

1. Think positively - you can only benefit from a viva.

2. Try to make a professional impression in appearance and manner.

3. Read through your dissertation/report and think about possible questions.

4. Treat your viva as an interview: make eye contact, smile and don't rush your answers.

5. Plan a short, structured introduction to your project; it will help to focus your mind.

6. Think about the implications of your project, including planning and project management.

7. Look and sound enthusiastic about your work.

Don't:

1. Feel that a viva is some sort of punishment.

2. Miss your viva because you didn't check the time and place.

3. Try to blame others if your project wasn't a success.

4. Become aggressive in your answers to questions.

5. Rush in with an answer before you've thought about it.

6. Fail to be courteous and enthusiastic.

This content has been written by Joan van Emden and Lucinda Becker, authors of Presentation Skills for Students.