How to Answer History Essay Tests Effectively
Tips For Pre Test Preparation and Taking the Exam
Jan 31, 2009
Writing a good answer to a history essay question can be difficult, yet students might benefit from a number of helpful tips that guarantee better scores. Getting beyond test anxiety, there are a number of things students can do both before the test is given to just before the answer is written.
Preparing for the Essay Test
Essay questions tend to address concepts. In looking over the material to be tested, students should identify important concepts and then list specific key examples that support the concept. For example, a usual question on the French Revolution might ask, “What were the economic causes of the Revolution?” The question is straightforward. There is no comparison or contrast. Hence, the student can list specific examples as bullet points: “the First and Second Estate were not taxed and refused to be taxed; government expenses exceeded expenditures; wars had been financed by borrowing; several years of bad harvests forced the state to import wheat for bread.”
Some text books offer sample “study” or “discussion” questions at the end of each chapter. Companion internet web sites also identify concept essay questions likely to be asked. Students should realize that most instructors will stick to general questions such as “Causes of the Crimean War,” “Reasons for Conflict between King and Parliament,” or “Long Term Effects of the Congress of Vienna.”
Doing well on an essay test begins with identifying what concepts might be addressed in the test. What was highlighted in class lectures and discussion? Did the instructor spend a lot of time on how Louis XIV was an absolute monarch? Was class time devoted to a lengthy explanation of Peter the Great’s “westernization” of Russia? These should be clues to possible essay questions. If the instructor gives a study guide, this will also isolate key topics to study.
Before Writing the First Word
As soon as the test has been distributed, the first thing a student should do is to gauge the time limits. How many items are to be answered in what specific time frame? Too often, students run out of time because they devote to much effort to one or more questions.
Next, students should read each question carefully. If the test is a menu of questions, students should select those they feel most competent to answer (if instructions are to answer a certain number out of the menu). Before answering a single question, students should create a very brief outline for those questions they plan to answer, listing their specific examples. This will help with organization and with writing a coherent answer.
If the test contains multiple choice or other objective items in addition to essays, students should still begin by creating brief outlines for the essays and then go to the objective items before answering the essays. In many cases, objective items will help to “cue” students in terms of essay answers.
Of utmost importance, students should know exactly what the question is asking. Many poor essay answers result from a misreading or a misunderstanding of the question. In some cases, essay questions contain multiple parts. Students must read each question thoroughly and answer each part of the question.
The greatest single problem in essay answers is the lack of supporting examples. Broad, general, and often superficial answers without supporting data result in failing grades. Causes of the American Revolution were not because colonists were “mad at Parliament” but because of a series of Acts imposed on the colonies such as the Stamp Act, the Coercive Acts, and other revenue acts. Events like the Boston Massacre and the Tea Party also contributed. It really is all about facts incorporated into well written essays.
Finally, learn from past tests. Read the comments. If there are no comments, ask the instructor for an appointment to go over the test. Find out how to achieve a better score on the next test.
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