How To Ace an Essay Exam

Whether you're in high school or grad school, an essay exam can be a daunting prospect.  However, with a little planning and thought, you can be on your way to acing your next essay exam.   

1. Study big ideas, connections, major plot points and themes.  While multiple choice and short answer questions rely on your ability to recall facts, an essay exam requires a synthesis of knowledge.  You shouldn't ignore details like names and dates, but your success on an essay exam depends on your grasp of the larger concepts behind the information.  Your ability to analyze the use of foreshadowing in a novel is more important than remembering what the protagonist said to her husband on page 247. 

2. Read the instructions carefully.  Does the instructor want two examples from the text to support your position or one example from your readings and one example from your own life?  Is there a length requirement?  You don't want to lose points because you didn't understand everything that was required of you.
3. Answer the entire question.  Essay exams can include multi-part prompts made up of several questions.  In your response, make sure you address every point in the prompt. 
4. Take a few minutes to plan.  Jotting down a short outline or a list of main points to cover in your essay can lead to a more coherent and organized essay.