FINAL EXAMS: Tips

Dear All,

The query forum is now open till Nov 25th: http://phoneticsandphonology.freeforums.org/queries-for-final-exam-t21.html

STUDYING FOR THE EXAM

• Design a study scheme (divide your study/work/pleasure/sleeping time and decide how you will cope with the material).
• Use the syllabus as a guide to organize your studies.
• Study from the bibliography, not only from your class notes.
• Read aloud to yourself, clearly and slowly, reasoning out what you’re reading.
• Make the most of your abilities, e.g. if you have visual memory, use colours and graphics to systematise the concepts, if you have auditory memory, record passages, have a friend read to you, etc.

For the Phonetics and Phonology exam:

• Look up the pronunciation and meaning of all the words you don’t know. Make sure you have checked the pronunciation of the technical words of the subject.
• Study by explaining the concepts and processes out loud, as if the person you are talking to knew nothing about the subject. You may record yourself and assess your performance.
• Transcribe and read aloud all the Sounds English dialogues with the CD. Predict exam questions by finding rules, weak and strong forms, processes of connected speech and allophones in each dialogue. Record yourself. Listen and assess your errors.
• Write and re-write transcriptions and dictations until you get zero errors. (Note that during an exam, stress may lower your performance; so five mistakes while practising at home may turn ten or more while in the exam).
• If you study with a classmate, ask him/her to be critical of your use of language and pronunciation.

ON THE DAY BEFORE THE EXAM

• Sleep well and eat lightly.
• Do revision; try not to deal with new topics at the last moment.
• Make sure you’ll be taking all the necessary paraphernalia with you: syllabus, spare sheets of paper and pens, and the required documentation (libreta, exam permits, etc)
• Plan ahead: avoid last minute drawbacks by checking train/bus timetables, setting the alarm clock on time, leaving the material at hand.
• Cancel all classes and appointments for the following day as you never know what time you will be free and that will add more anxiety.

ON THE DAY OF THE EXAM

• Get up early and have proper breakfast/lunch/tea.
• Make sure you are on time. Exams begin punctually at the appointed time.
• Don’t try to revise hastily going over your notes minutes before the exam.

For the Phonetics and Phonology exam:

• During the dictation and transcription

Make the most of the first listening to understand what the passage is all about and spot probable areas of difficulty and processes of connected speech used by the examiner.

Highlight or underline those bits you are not sure about during the second listening.

Go over your transcription slowly, checking symbols, rules, weak forms, spellings, grammatical agreement, meaning and your accurate comprehension of the text.

Focus on problem areas during your third listening.

Check symbols, rules, weak forms and processes again.

Remember you must get a passing grade in this instance to be entitled to sit for the oral exam. (10 % error, which means that overall, you should not have more than 15-18 mistakes adding up dictation and transcription. Remember that errors with weak forms and rules are worth double)

• For your oral examination (on the same day)

After you have been given your topic, prepare an outline and find the examples that will enhance your presentation.

When it is your turn to begin your exam, don’t just wait to be asked questions by the examination board. Seize the chance to show how much you know by justifying and enlarging your answers.

Try to relax and adopt a positive attitude: you have studied hard and you want to do your best.

Good luck!

Prepared by Prof. Graciela C. Moyano & Prof. Marina Cantarutti

Revised by Prof. Cantarutti, November 2008