How To Write Fast In An Exam

Timing is one of the most crucial factors in any exam, both GCSE and A Level. The amount of time you have will dictate how much you write in your answers to each question. This is especially important in subjects such as English, History or any other subjects which feature essay questions in the exam. Whilst some of you may struggle with getting all of your excellent ideas down on paper within the time limit, it is not actually how fast you write that gets you the highest grades; it is how efficiently you write. Quality of answers gets higher marks than quantity. Read on for some exam tips on how to write better in your exams.

Is writing fast in exams important?

The writing process in exam conditions is different to our everyday writing process and writing techniques. You have to think about your response and execute it accurately within a time limit. In longer exams, such as A-levels, trying to increase your writing speed can lead to hand cramps and more mistakes in your writing. So, whilst it is important not to waste time, it is equally important to be as prepared as possible for every exam you take, and know exactly what your Assessment Objectives are and what the examiners are looking for before you go into the exam. Yes, you do have to answer all of the questions within the time limit, but this does not mean that you have to write pages and pages for each question. Spending a lot of time on a question that is worth only a few marks is a waste and you will miss out on more marks later on. You therefore need to practice, practice, practice, until all of the information you need to get down on paper in the exam is at the front of your mind for that duration of time. You should not have to spend too much time thinking about how you answer the questions. You should be prepared for this, so you can get on with reading the questions carefully, planning your answers and writing them.

Stamina

Writing is an exercise that is becoming increasingly out of fashion. Good handwriting is not something we concern ourselves with too much any more, as so many of us type rather than write (whether on mobile devices or laptops/PCs). However, unless you are granted access arrangements (or you are doing an IT exam), GCSEs, A-levels and most other exams still require you to handwrite your answers, and you will not get extra time unless you qualify for it for a reason. This means you need to train your hands to get stronger whilst writing in timed conditions.

Good posture is essential, as well as the correct handgrip. Your pen should be ideally held between your thumb, index and middle fingers. If you are gripping too tightly, or in an unusual position, then this is going to give you hand cramp. The best way to improve your writing technique and increase your handwriting speed in timed conditions is by practising writing your answers within a set time limit. You should start with parts of exam papers, building up to whole papers over time. This process needs to start early. You will not increase your writing stamina overnight! A decent ballpoint pen that you are comfortable holding for long periods will also help, as long as it adheres to the exam instructions (the right pens usually have to be black or blue). Some people also find a pen grip helpful. You can buy these cheaply online, such as via Amazon, and they help you train your fingers to hold a pen in the correct position.

Time management

Running out of time is one of the biggest issues when sitting your GCSE and A Level exams. You always have less time than you think, so it is essential that you base how long you spend answering each question on how many marks each question is worth. Make sure you have enough time to answer essay based questions or higher mark questions properly. Again, practising past papers in timed conditions is the best way to work out how much you have to write and how much time you have to do it. Always make sure you can see a clock in your exam room and know how to divide the exam time by exam section and questions.

Another important aspect of time management is making sure that you have included all of the main points that you need to include in each answer. This means writing concisely and efficiently. If you spend too much time going over the same point, you will not get more marks, and instead you will miss out on other important points you need to make. Repeating yourself is, once again, a waste of your precious time in an exam. So is using lots of lots of words when fewer will do. Never use complicated words or phrases when a simpler one will do the job just as well.

Exam tips and writing tips

• Always try to write a very brief plan before you write essay style answers:
  • Your plan should include the main points you are going to make, and should be based on the focus of the question
  • Then, and this is essential, make sure you stick to it! If you go off on a tangent, you will be writing lots of unnecessary information that might not answer the question set
• Don’t waste time searching for the perfect word, especially if a simpler one will do:
  • It is more important that you get your points across, rather than trying to sound sophisticated for the sake of it
• Learn useful words and phrases before your exams:
  • These could be useful sentence starters, or the right connective words in order to build on or counter your arguments
• If you have good cursive handwriting, this can help you write fluently and efficiently:
  • However, if writing at speed makes your cursive handwriting messy, then it is important that you try to write more concisely and neatly
  • An examiner cannot award you marks if they cannot read what you have written!
  • If handwriting has always been an issue for you, it could be worth asking your school or college for an assessment for exam access arrangements, to see if you are eligible to do your exams on a computer

So, whilst there are no real “hacks” or tricks to increase your writing speed, it is possible to write better by being prepared and through practice. Writing skills can be improved if, like with everything, you are prepared to put in the work in advance.