Put to the test

What is the best way to write an answer to a written question or requirement: in bulleted points or continuous prose?

The answer to this depends on what is meant by a bullet point. Conventionally, a bullet point could be a word, a phrase, or a short sentence. However, some bullet points are full paragraphs containing several points.

You are strongly advised to give a full explanation (whether in bullet points or in prose) in response to most question requirements, depending on what is being asked.

By doing this, you will be able to make and develop points in a logical and relevant manner, allowing greater potential for the marker to award marks. At the Professional level, between four and six professional marks are specifically available for certain requirements. At this level, short bullet points would certainly not be enough to earn the marks available, as these are given for capabilities such as introducing a topic appropriately, making convincing points, counter-argument, writing in an appropriate tone and in a format suitable for the intended audience, logical flow and structure, and for drawing together the main themes of an argument into a valid set of conclusions.

At the lower levels, for example in CAT exams or possibly within certain requirements in the Skills module of the Fundamentals level, it may be possible to make short bullet points, particularly if the requirement uses verbs which are at intellectual level 1. For example, if a requirement asks you to ‘list’, ‘identify’, ‘outline’ or ‘briefly describe’ some items, then bullet points might be appropriate. However, if the requirement asks for descriptions, explanations, comparisons, analysis, application, assessment or evaluation, then a bullet list of words or short points will be totally inadequate and marks will inevitably be missed.

Should I present answers using headings, or use simple paragraphs with no headings?

This depends. Ideally, your answer should be clear and your presentation should help the marker know what you are writing about. In the Professional level papers, professional marks are awarded for writing style. You may be asked to write your answer in the form of a memo, letter, or a report, for example, and your answer should be well organised and structured in the format required by the examiner. In three-hour exams, 15 minutes of reading and planning time is given in order for you to plan your answers.

In the Fundamentals level and CAT exam papers, marks tend to be given for the technical content of answers. However, anything that makes your answer clear and obvious will help the marker.

Should I number answer points?

No - this can be confusing for the marker. They may think you are noting the number of the question you are answering.

Can I use different colour pens or pencils, or use correction fluid?

You should not use pencil, or red or green pens. Pencil is not permanent, and red and green pens are used by markers and examiners. Although blue pens are permitted, black pens are the best choice because they are the clearest. Furthermore, for exams with multiple-choice questions which are answered on the Candidate Registration Sheet, a black pen is the only option because the sheets are optically scanned. White correction fluid may be used, but this is inadvisable as it takes time to dry and you could accidentally cover other written material if a page is turned over before the fluid has completely dried. It is much better to cross items out clearly with a bold black line. This is both clear to the marker and saves you time.

If a question asks for a comparison between several things, can I give the answer in a tabular form?

If appropriate, you are actively encouraged to use a tabular format. For example, Paper P3 might ask you to do a SWOT analysis and a tabular format is helpful in these circumstances. However, at this level, a table would never be enough. It is most likely that you would need to support the table or diagram with a full explanation or detailed analysis of the subject matter involved, applied to the facts of a particular scenario or case study.

Key exam presentation tips

• Start each point on a new line. 
• Start a new question on a new page.
• Try and keep related question parts together under one question heading - do not spread them around your script.
• Leave a line between each new point to help markers work out where each point starts and stops. Professional level - and some Fundamentals level - exams test intellectual levels 2 and 3 so you will need to provide developed and analysed answers. 
• It is vital to label clearly the part of the question you are answering. 
• You don’t have to answer the questions in any particular order, but all parts of a question should be answered together. 
• If you attempt different parts of a question at different times, leave enough space and time to complete the remaining parts of the question.