Explain the Importance of Carefully Reading Questions in the Examination Paper

Hello Grade 12 Life Orientation learners.

On this page, we focus specifically on the following question:

Explain the importance of carefully reading questions in the examination paper

The answer to the above question is found from Life Orientation Grade 12 Focus Textbook from page 66 to page 67, under term 1 work :Chapter 3 Study Skills.

The Importance of Carefully Reading Questions in the Examination Paper

It is important to carefully read questions in the examination paper because of the following reasons:

1. Getting an Overview of the Exam
   “Quickly read through all the questions in an examination paper so that you get an overview of the areas covered and the types of questions asked.”
   Carefully reading all the questions first gives you an idea of the topics covered and helps you plan how to approach the paper.
2. Identifying Longer and Easier Questions
   “You will also get an idea of which are the longer questions, and which are the easier ones. You may want to answer the easier questions first.”
   This allows you to manage your time wisely and build confidence by securing marks on easier questions before tackling more complex ones.
3. Recognising What the Examiner Expects
   “Underline key verbs that tell you what your examiner expects you to do, for example, analyse, evaluate, define, describe, list.”
   Verbs like analyse, evaluate, define, and describe indicate different types of responses. Misinterpreting these can lead to incorrect answers.
4. Following Instructions on How to Answer
   “Note any instructions about how to answer the question, for example, one-word answers, full sentences, on a separate sheet of paper, on the multiple-choice card.”
   Ignoring instructions can result in unnecessary mistakes, such as answering in paragraphs when only a list was required.
5. Ensuring You Answer All Parts of the Question
   “See if the question has more than one part or sub-questions.”
   Some questions may require multiple responses. Carefully reading ensures that you do not miss out on any part, which could cost you marks.
6. Using Mark Allocation to Guide Responses
   “See how many marks are allocated to the question: this will show you how long your answer should be, how many points you should make, and how long you should take to answer the question.”
   A higher mark question requires a more detailed response, while a lower mark question may need a brief answer.
7. Reading All Options in Multiple-Choice and Match-Items Questions
   “If it is a multiple-choice question, read all the answers. If it is a match-items question, read both columns.”
   Skimming or rushing through options can lead to mistakes. Carefully reading all choices increases your chances of selecting the correct answer.
8. Understanding Case Study Questions Before Reading the Passage
   “It is useful to read the questions on a case study even before you read the case study; this helps you to read for the main points in the questions and to find the answers.”
   This strategy helps in identifying relevant details in the passage, making it easier to answer the questions accurately.

By carefully reading each question before answering, you can avoid mistakes, follow instructions correctly, and improve your exam performance.