TIPS FOR PASSING EXAMINATION WITH EASE

As major examinations approach, especially in Nigeria, Richard Unimke takes a look at factors that would help the candidates succeed.
The fact that many candidates perform abysmally in different examinations as a result of their inability to understand and approach examination questions courageously has prompted this write-up. It is true that no nation can rise above the quality of education provided for her citizens. Since the advent of Western education in Nigeria, examination has been the major instrument for the evaluation of learners.

By tip is meant a small piece of advice about something practical (Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, 7^th Edition). It is synonymous with the word ‘hint’. Examination has been defined by different scholars in different ways. According to Adekate (1993), “Examinations are the instrument used for the assessment of individual’s skills and knowledge…” To Liman as cited by Arifayan (2004), examination, in broad perspective, is an instrument for testing, assessing, evaluation and accreditation. Alutu (2005) simply defined examination as the process of measuring how much knowledge a student in an institution of learning has acquired after exposing them to definite course of instruction. In schools, examination is a potent instrument for judgment of knowledge or competence.

J. Leone, a reading specialist, discusses tips for answering examinations under the following headings: How  to answer essay questions, multiple choice questions and true or false questions. However, we would here focus on multiple choice questions as it relates to Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Nigeria.

How to Answer Multiple Choice Questions

1.       Read the questions first.

2.       Make sure you understand what the examiner is asking.

3.       Read all the options given as possible answers, even if you think you have found the answer in A or B.

4.       Eliminate any incorrect answer, then, choose the best answer.

5.       Don’t leave any answer that contains extreme or absolute statements, that is, statement that is definite, with doubt or uncertainty.

6.       Negatives can be confusing. Read them very carefully; for example, The task was not impossible, actually means the task was possible.

7.       Check over all of your answers before turning in your paper.

8.       Do not shade two options under one question.

9.       Do not spend much time in a question that seems difficult.

10.   Any correct option chosen should be properly shaded.

Tips for Passing UTME with Ease

1.       Put God first. Matthew 6. 33 says, ”Seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all other things will be added unto you.” This simply means you must put God first in everything you do. Research has shown that it is not always the most intelligent candidates who pass the examination. At times some unforeseen factors may work against one’s success. This is why it is very important to seek God’s guidance as you prepare and write the examination.

2.       Desire knowledge. This entails the desire for facts, theories, concepts, principles, phenomena, information, etc. Knowledge is the information, understanding and skills one gains through education or experience. It is the food that helps the mind to grow. A Roman scholar once said knowledge without the ability to use it is useless. Bill Gate said “what makes me the richest man on earth is my hunger for knowledge”. He is also quoted to have said that a person’s real worth is the measure of their knowledge. It was Francis Bacon who said that knowledge is power. Socrates said “an unexamined mind is not worth living, virtue is knowledge.” Therefore seek knowledge.

3.       Develop a good reading habit. According to Strang (1967), reading is the royal road to knowledge. Ituen (2004) defines reading as the process of getting information from print. It helps to sharpen our intellect so that we can respond to life’s challenges with confidence. For reading to be effective, there must be understanding. What eating is to the body, reading is to the mind. Reading habit is that subject that helps the educational system to produce life-long learner enshrined in the national policy on education. It is the most important subject one must learn because it determines other subjects. It is also the key that unlocks the genius in everybody. Everybody has the potential to be a genius, but that can only be unlocked when a person cultivates the habit of reading.

4.       Eliminate fear. According to John F. Kennedy, “the only thing to fear is fear itself”. Fear has become a household word in our society today. There is  the fear of failure, the fear of rejection, and even the fear of success. “Fear is our greatest enemy in life, because it keeps us from doing those things we could like to do that would make our life more complete and enjoyable.” – Vic. Johnson. Fear is false evidence appearing real. Based on the foregoing we would agree that whenever fear takes hold of anything, failure results. We should therefore do away with fear, especially during examinations.

5.       Be determined. Determination is the basis of success. Without determination, it is easy to give up irrespective of how prepared one may be. To make it in UTME, one must be determined to make it at all cost on one’s own. There is this old aphorism that “determination expels failure”. James Allen said, “the will to do springs from the knowledge that we can do.”

6.       Shun examination malpractice. This is an illegal way of accessing quality and performance in an individual. Indulging in this fraudulent act is like a mad man chasing nothing. In order to pass your examination with honour you must eschew examination malpractice. A wise man once said, “success through crooked means is failure in disguise.”

7.       Work hard. There is the common saying that “hard work is the key to success. History has it that great people are those who toiled and worked hard while their contemporaries slept through the night. The importance of hard work in life cannot be overemphasized. One cannot succeed in life without it. It pays to burn the midnight oil. There is no short cut to success.

8.       Read JAMB recommended textbooks. It has been discovered in recent times that most candidates still read their Ordinary Level textbooks for JAMB examinations. They don’t consider that JAMB has its own recommended books. So, candidates are advised to borrow or buy those books recommended by JAMB if they really want to pass the UTME with high scores. For Use of English, A – Z of JAMB’s Use of English by Dele Ashade is recommended.

9.       Study JAMB’s past questions. JAMB questions are more advanced and more difficult than WAEC or NECO questions. It is believed that the one who lives in the mountains knows the best way to climb it. The questions are all multiple choice. If one has a clue or pre-knowledge of how the questions are and therefore how to go about it, then one can easily attempt any type of question that would be fielded.

10.   Attend JAMB preparatory classes. This will go a long way to helping the candidate pass the examination. At such classes candidates are usually taught according to JAMB syllabus. The teachers also expose the candidates to things they need to know about UTME.

11.   Study your JAMB syllabus. This will give the candidate a guide on what to read or study.

12.   Select your UTME subjects wisely. Candidates should always endeavour to study the brochure and know the requirements for UTME in the particular course they want to read before proceeding to the café for UTME registration. This will facilitate the candidate’s chances of securing admission.

13.   Visit the examination venue. It is always advisable for  candidates to know their examination centre before the day of their writing. This will add courage to the candidate and make them feel at home on their examination day.

14.   Adhere to rubrics. By rubrics we mean a title or set of instructions written in a book or examination paper. Every examination body has its rules that must be obeyed. JAMB is no exception, and adherence to their rules will enhance a candidate’s chances of succeeding.

15.   Set yourself a time-table. Have a well prepared timetable that you stick to. This involves discipline on your part. It will train you to read regularly and ensure you come out tops at the end.

Mike Muddock has said, “The quality of your preparation determines the quality of your performance.” This is like saying the depth of a foundation determines the height of a building. The secret to academic excellence is foundation and the foundation of academic excellence is preparation. Therefore prepare well in order to excel.