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Guidance to learners for short answer examinations (SAE) - open notes constructed response examination.

SAE’s typically require students to respond succinctly and precisely to a topic area. Successful SAQ answers clearly identify and express the key ideas and concepts the question targets.

SAE’s can also be problem or scenario-based, where you are asked to apply your knowledge.

Preparing for your SAE

1)    Total marks can differ for each module, dependent on the weighting available.

2)      Answer all questions, including all multi-parts of a question.

3)    You may bring paper notes, texts, and diagrams to support you in your explanation and analysis.

4)    Access to electronic devices or the internet (other than the device used to take the examination) is prohibited during the examination. 

5)    The examination will be overseen by a trained invigilator.

6)    Indicative timings will be provided. It is advisable to manage your time carefully.

Tips for sitting SAE’s

SAE’s typically require students to respond succinctly and precisely to a topic area. Successful answers clearly identify and express the key ideas and concepts the question targets. SAE’s can also be problem or scenario-based, where you are asked to apply your knowledge.

Pay attention to how much the question is worth and how many parts there are to it. The marks rewarded can relate to the number of points required. It is important to identify exactly what the question is asking you to do and to be as succinct and precise as possible. 

• Use the keywords in the question to guide your answers; use these to decide on the relevant detail required.
• Don't be afraid to sketch out the process or component parts of a complex multi-step answer.
• Always use specific and precise terminology in your answers.
• Be concise! Cut straight to the point and, if necessary, start a new sentence for each point you wish to make.  This will make it easier for the marker to understand your response.
• Don't forget to reread your answers.  Have you stayed on track or gone off on a tangent?  Make sure you're answering the correct question.  Fix any errors, be they factual or grammatical.

Tips when revising for SAE’s

For SAE exams, you will need to know all of your course material well. Revising for these types of exams will probably involve learning, recalling, and applying facts and information. Start as early as possible so that you can keep revisiting the information you need to learn. 

When organising your notes:

• Pay particular attention to fundamental terms and concepts that describe important events or features, or that tie related ideas together. 
• Make lists and tables. Concentrate on understanding multi-step processes, and on things that form natural sequences or groupings. Look for similarities and differences that might be used to distinguish correct choices from distractors in an exam. 
• Highlight vocabulary and key definitions and be sure that you understand them. 
• Re-organise your material into questions. Record facts in the form of answers. 

When revising:

• Do not simply memorise definitions. Be sure that you know what the definitions mean. 
• Write questions on index cards with answers on the back, or on your phone or tablet. Carry them with you everywhere so that you can test yourself in spare moments. 
• Set yourself challenges to condense key information into three sentences, or to fit it all on to one index card etc.
• Brainstorm possible questions with your friends. 
• Practice on sample questions, if you have access to past papers. If not, try making up your own. 

Links to related documents

Online Examination Proctoring:

EPA Improvement Practitioner L4 : Online Examination Proctoring | Advance Assessments

Multiple Choice Examination Curriculum:

EPA Improvement Practitioner L4 : Multiple Choice Examination Curriculum | Advance Assessments