counselling department

Problem-Solving Exams
Preparing Use old exams when available. Old exams often
give you a good feel for the types of questions
Problem-solving exams come in a variety of forms, that are likely to be tested on the coming exam.
from multiple choice to short answer to long While working on old exams, you should take
calculations. In all of these cases, prepare for the some time to compare the exam questions with
exam as you would prepare for any other exam, with those presented in lecture, problem sets, and the
particular emphasis on the following points: text:
Practise, practise, practise! The most important o Where do the majority of exam questions
tip in preparing for problem-solving exams is come from? (Text, lecture, or assignments?)
practice. The more problems and the more o How are the exam questions different from
different types of problems you solve, the better those in the text, lectures, and assignments?
prepared you‟ll be. Practice doing questions from o If equations are involved, which ones are
old exams, the textbook and lab manual, and needed and which ones are provided?
other texts on the same topic. If you can't find The answers to these questions offer
enough practice problems, create some with your excellent clues as to the probable content of
study group or partner. the coming exam. Don‟t forget – some
Review regularly, either on a daily or weekly professors put old exams on course reserve
basis. Regular review is often critical to for students to use as a study guide.
developing a thorough understanding of Go over your previous tests, quizzes, or exams.
mathematics-based problems. Use your old tests as study tools by correcting all
Study a section, then practise problems from your answers and analyzing your errors.
that section. Make sure you understand the Sometimes similar questions will appear on the
information in each section before moving on to next exam, particularly if many students in the
the next, particularly in courses that build on class got it wrong. Your previous errors will also
previous sections. Pay attention to problems indicate areas of the course that you may need to
emphasized in class, the text, and assignments. If work on or study more, or types of questions that
a particular problem appears in more than one of you may need more practice with. Refer to the
these places, there‟s a good chance a similar „Analyze Your Performance‟ section of this
problem will appear on the exam. Study Skills Tip Sheet for more detail.
Study questions out of order. Problems on Use mock exams or make up your own. When
exams rarely appear in the order taught and may old exams are not available, make up your own
include questions that combine information from questions, use a study group or partner to
a number of sections. To prepare for this, practise generate questions, or use mock exams if
questions out of order. Pay attention to the available from your professor.
possible links between questions and how the Note: To get the most out of a practice exam,
professor might combine questions on an exam, write it under exam conditions – in a quiet area,
and seek out combination questions on old with a time limit equal to that of the exam you‟re
exams. writing. Unless it‟s an open book exam, close
When studying a section, note the important your books. Correct your answers and analyze
formulae. Although it‟s important to know how errors. Seek assistance for any questions you
to use a formula, knowing when to use it is just don‟t understand.
as critical. Make connections between ideas and
formulae and note how to distinguish between
similar scenarios to choose the correct formula.
 Problem-Solving Exams

Organizing Information o Rehearse: Practise material as if it would be

tested. Rehearse regularly in order to engage
When you're studying for problem-solving exams, long-term memory.
organizing all of the information from your notes,
textbooks, labs, or other sources can help you Solving Problems
understand course theories and concepts more deeply.
Here are a few methods to help you organize your Here are a few general tips on how to solve problems.
course information. These can be useful while studying to increase
Study methods depend on the particular comprehension and general problem-solving skills:
individual. However, a simple technique you can Have a positive attitude. Take the time to fully
use to organize information, facts, equations, work out the hard and lengthy questions. Don‟t
theories, etc., is called Concept Mapping. give up! The more you work on a problem, the
Concept Mapping is used mainly to summarize better you will understand it.
and make connections between key concepts. Have an eye for details. Make an effort to fully
Begin by writing the main idea in the center, and understand every aspect of the problem you are
from there, place related ideas on branches working on. What is the question asking? Can it
radiating from the center. Mapping will allow be broken into parts? How do the parts relate?
you to see ways in which ideas fit together and Remember to check your answer for logic or
can point out weak areas that you should focus calculation errors.
on. For more information, please see our Study Break the problem into parts (if possible).
Skills Tip Sheet on Concept Mapping. Small parts are easier to work with and often lead
A suggestion on how to take notes, either in class to the information necessary for the next step in
or from readings, is to use the Cornell Method. the equation. Start at a point that you understand
Designed to save time and be efficient, the best and work from there.
method involves dividing the paper into two Draw diagrams or flow charts, or make
columns; however, the left column is only one summaries if needed. In order to organize given
quarter of the page width. The right column is information, arrange everything in a systematic
used to write notes, while the left column, called way that you can easily see. It may help you to
the cue column, is used after class to jot extra find the path you should take to solve a problem.
comments in relation to the notes taken. Leave Try to link information together. See what
around two inches at the bottom of the page to information is given and decide if it‟s important
write a summary of the notes taken. The Cornell and how it can be related to equations and the
method allows for writing notes in an orderly answer you‟re trying to find.
fashion. For more information on the Cornell Be aware of irrelevant information – it may be
method, please see the resource section at the end given to throw you off!
of this Study Skills Tip Sheet. Use memory techniques. For some students,
Another method for organizing your notes and mnemonics are great tools for memorizing
course information is a technique called SOAR: equations, definitions, formulas, processes, etc.
select, organize, associate, and rehearse: One mnemonic is the Journey Technique, where
o Select: Reduce the total amount of you associate information with landmarks on a
information to key ideas. Use key words as journey that you know well. This allows you to
memory triggers for each concept. retrace your steps to remember specific
o Organize: Enter material into logical information. Another technique is the Roman
categories and make it meaningful to you. Room Technique, which allows you to associate
Use headings, numbers, diagrams, etc. objects in a room with the image of the
o Associate: Link new information to previous information that you need to remember.
knowledge and make connections with your Avoid guessing. Work a problem through from
own experiences. beginning to end. Guessing can be dangerous and
is not recommended.

Page 2 © UFV October 2010

 Problem-Solving Exams

Exception: Some Engineering professors allow o Calculate: Use the method determined in the
assumptions to be made on exams – some previous step to solve the problem.
professors even encourage it! In these cases, the o Defend: Check the solution given in the
professor will deliberately leave out pertinent or previous step. Is it acceptable? If you have
required information, which you must then not already done so, present the solution in a
assume. In these cases, assume carefully! Make reasonable format.
your assumptions reasonable and within “typical” o Evaluate: What have you learned by solving
or “conventional” values, depending on the this problem?
situation. If the assumption you‟re making can be ROPOSE Approach: This approach is more
anything under the sun (e.g. the length of a road lengthy than the above two examples; however, it
to build), check the question again to make sure can be a very effective study technique.
you really need the information, and if you do, o Read: Read the problem carefully. What is it
try to assume a unit value (i.e. per metre or per asking?
kilometre of road, etc). Above all, ask your o Organize: Simplify the problem. Identify the
professor if assumptions are allowed before given and unknown information and values.
you make any. o Picture: Visualize the problem. Use diagrams
or write down chemical reactions, as
Approaching Problems appropriate.
o Order: Divide the problem into steps, and
There are a number of methods for solving problems
place these steps in order.
that aim to make the process easier. Here are a few
o Solve: Solve the problem.
for you to consider. As with other study methods,
o Evaluate: Check your calculations and your
there is no one method that works for everyone.
answer. Is the solution reasonable? What
Choose the method that works best for you.
have you learned?
The 3R Approach: This is a simple, but often
effective, method for approaching and solving Writing the Exam
many problems.
o Request: What is the question asking for? When the time comes to “show what you know,”
Once you understand the question, formulate a here are a few tips and strategies to help you do your
response. best.
o Response: This is the strategy you‟ll use to Dump the details. Find a blank page on your
solve the problem. It‟s often broken into smaller exam (the back of the instruction page, the back
steps that are easier to work through. Once you of the exam, etc.) and write down formulas,
have decided how you‟ll respond to the question, concepts, and constants that you have memorized
follow the steps you‟ve laid out to get to the before starting the exam.
result. Look over the entire exam before beginning.
o Result: This is your final answer. Remember Budget your time according to how much each
to check your result and response to make sure question is worth.
they both accurately answer the request. Do the easy questions first. Not only does this
ABCDE Approach: This method is effective warm up your brain, but it also helps to calm
because it prompts you to evaluate what you‟ve exam nerves. The easier questions can provide
learned. helpful hints on how to solve harder problems
o Analyze: Read, understand, and create a later on.
mental image of the problem. Extract the Read each question carefully and rephrase it in
given data and determine the nature of the your own words. This may help you to
unknown. Estimate an answer to the understand what the question is asking and
problem. remind you how you went about solving similar
o Brainstorm: Determine how to relate the problems in the past.
unknown with the given information. Re-read the question, underlining units. Be aware
of +/- signs. Keep track of all units.

Page 3 © UFV October 2010

 Problem-Solving Exams

Convert values to keep the units consistent. Skip the problem and move on, but don‟t forget
Make an educated guess. Predict a reasonable to go back to it! You don‟t want to lose marks
answer that, given all the information, the real somewhere else because you spent a lot of time
answer would be close to. trying to solve one question.
Limit the rounding of numbers in intermediate Ask for help from the professor if you don‟t
steps until the final answer has been reached. understand what the question is asking.
Present numerical answers with the correct
number of significant figures, and always write Analyze Your Performance
down the units.
After a midterm is returned, or after completing an
Clearly mark assumptions, if they are necessary, old or mock exam, the following steps can help you
and place them at or near the beginning of the determine how to improve your performance on the
solution whenever possible. next exam.
Look at your final answer. Does your answer Read and consider comments and suggestions
sound reasonable, logical, and well-organized? If from the professor who marked the exam. These
not, you probably made an error somewhere. Go are usually intended to help you improve.
back and check your work, but don‟t get hung up
How were the problems different from those
on a difficult problem, and remember to stick to
given in the text, lecture, or homework?
your time limits.
Determine the source of your errors.
Review at the end. If possible, try to give
Careless errors: Double-check answers before
yourself a couple of minutes at the end to check
handing in your papers.
all the answers.
Misread the question: Re-read and process the
Difficult Problems question before answering it.
Many errors with a certain problem type: Practise
If you‟re having difficulties with a problem, here are that problem type until you understand it more
a few hints to help you out. fully. Also, try out some different studying
Don‟t panic! By staying calm, cool, and approaches to develop a new way to approach the
collected, you are more likely to recall something concept in the problem.
helpful. Couldn‟t remember formulas correctly: Spend
Be open to trying a different strategy to solve a more time studying formulas before the next
problem if your usual method doesn‟t work. exam. Try developing mnemonics or placing
Sketch out an outline or diagram. This may help formulas on cue cards.
you to remember any missing details. Ran out of time: Budget your time during the
Keep track of what you‟ve done so far in order to exam and spend more time studying in general –
save time. By noting your progress, you can see problem solving becomes faster and easier with
what you‟re doing and where you‟re going. practice. Take time at the beginning of each exam
Look for similar problems in the test that you and read through the questions: which ones are
have already answered that may give you a clue. worth the most marks? Which ones require the
Break problems into smaller parts in order to most time? Which can you answer right away?
simplify. If you can do most of the parts, you‟re Practised the wrong problems: Follow the advice
on your way to solving the whole problem. You on determining which problems to study (See the
may also receive partial marks for your work. “Preparing for the Exam” section).
Re-read and paraphrase the question in order to Brain went blank due to anxiety: Use stress-
better understand it. management techniques before the exam. Take a
Substitute simple numbers for a math problem in deep breath when you get into the exam, do a
order to see what a logical answer may be. “dump the details” (above), and do the easier
Work backwards from the solution. Make sure questions first to build confidence. For additional
your answer is reasonable. help, visit Counselling Services or talk to your
professor for advice. Consider registering for

Page 4 © UFV October 2010

 Problem-Solving Exams

Study Smarts, a four-session, non-credit course Student Learning Center. Retrieved March 31, 2006,
that combines effective study strategies with from slc.berkeley.edu/general/index.htm
stress management techniques to students.
Contact Student Services for dates and
registration details.
Could recall facts easily, but couldn‟t apply the
knowledge to a new situation: Form a study
group to brainstorm ideas for the types of
questions that might be asked in order to apply
the knowledge to new situations. Consider using
concept maps to make links between concepts
and material, or organizing your notes differently
(e.g. Cornell method).

Want more information?

The Counselling Department is the best source for
advice and information on issues related to
procrastination, time management, and other issues
related to learning, studying, and academic
performance.
Workshops on learning, studying, etc., are offered
regularly each semester by the Counselling
Department. Please contact Student Services at
Abbotsford - 604-854-4528 (B 214) or Chilliwack -
604-795-2808 (E 105) to make an appointment.
Study Skills Tip Sheets providing information on
many learning and time management topics, as well
as writing and referencing, are available free to
students. The complete range of Study Skills Tip
Sheets is available on-line at
www.ufv.ca/counselling/study/ .

References
Whimbey, A., & Lochhead, J. (1986). Problem
Solving & Comprehension, 4th Edition. London:
Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
McAllister, Howard C. (1997). Request-Response-
Result. Retrieved March 24, 2006, from
www.hawaii.edu/suremath/essentialRRR.html
Woodcock, D. (2000). The A Thru E Approach to
Problem Solving in Chemistry. Retrieved March 31,
2006, from www.molecularmodels.ca/probsol/ps_A-
E.html
Fogler, Scott H., & LeBlanc, Steven E. Strategies for With thanks to the University of Guelph
Creative Problem Solving. Retrieved March 21, Learning Services
2006, from www.engin.umich.edu/~cre/probsolv/ The Learning Commons

Page 5 © UFV October 2010