D-day for matriculants

The first papers in the 2011 matric exams have been written, starting with English. The education department has some handy tips for learners over the next few weeks.
THE Class of 2011 began writing its matric final exams yesterday, and Executive Mayor Parks Tau has wished them well. Also, the provincial department of education has some tips for the learners.

Executive mayor Parks Tau wishes Grade 12 learners writing exams wellExecutive mayor Parks Tau wishes Grade 12 learners writing matric exams wellOver 620 000 Grade 12 learners around the country, both full time and part time, started their exams on Monday, 24 October. Gauteng has 122 788 registered matric students.

The first exam yesterday was the two-hour English home language and first additional language paper one, or the two-and-half hour English second additional language. The last papers will be written on 1 December – religious studies paper two and design.

“I want to wish all matriculants well during the exams, especially those residing in Joburg,” Tau said. “We may have engaged some of you during the [Growth and Development Strategy] outreach programme and as much as we have shifted course to respond to what people have being saying to us, you are also now expected to respond to what you have learnt throughout the year.”

This was their greatest challenge in preparation for the world they may soon enter, he said, urging the matrics not to succumb to pressure, “but believe in your ability to respond to each paper with calm and diligence. This is the platform to enable yourself to greater things in life, and you have our support.”

Pass rate
According to the Department of Basic Education, the National Senior Certificate (NSC) – matric exams – is a key barometer indicating the health of the education system. In 2010, the national pass rate was 67,8 percent, up 7,2 percent from the previous year.

Given that these exams are the most important in 12 years of school, the Gauteng department of education has issued some practical studying and exam-writing tips to help students.

Divide the total marks for the exam by the total number of minutes to indicate how much time a question should take. If a three-hour exam – 180 minutes – is for 400 marks, students should spend about two minutes per mark; a 10-mark question should take about 22 minutes.

“Markers like to mark quickly as they have many scripts. Make the key points of your essays stand out. Clarify your position in the introduction and conclusion. The first line of each paragraph should clearly introduce the main points,” advises the department.

“Markers award marks for specific key points. When studying, think about what the most important points are that markers are looking for. Organise these in a way that you can remember them.”

Studying
When studying, try to come up with easy-to-remember sentences using the first letter of each word you need to learn. For example, to remember the levels of classification in life science – kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species – memorise this sentence: Kings play chess on flat green spaces.

Read multiple choice questions carefully. If there is more than one correct answer, then “all of the above” is a strong possibility to be correct.

In essay questions, don’t include facts that do not support your statements or arguments. You will not get extra marks for irrelevant facts. Writing these wastes time and may irritate the marker.

Maths questions with many parts, such as 2a, 2b and 2c, are structured so that learners usually use the solution for each part in the following part. In maths and accounting exams, solve as many questions as you can. Working through past examination papers can be helpful, notes the department.

Show each step when solving maths problems. This helps you avoid mistakes, and it shows that you know what you are doing. Even if the final answer is wrong, you can get marks for correct workings.

“Do not study a topic only once. If you have more time you can revise for your studies twice or thrice, but only if you have a lot of time and have revised for all your other subjects at least once.

“Read aloud. You may feel like you sound silly but, believe it or not, this is a better way to learn than just reading silently.”

When asked to contrast, state differences; to define, explain what something means; to explain, give reasons; to identify, name or select features; and to describe, indicate what is seen.

Exam paper
Once you have been told to begin writing, first read quickly through the entire paper. This may help you choose the easy questions. Do them first and then tackle the more difficult ones later.

For comprehension questions, read through the passage once. Then read the questions. Then read the passage again and start answering them.

And don’t panic if you can’t remember how to answer a question; move on to the next question and return to the previous one when you have relaxed a bit.

If you run out of time, then answer in point form instead of complete sentences. Essays should be planned by writing down key words or main ideas. If you have finished writing an exam and have time to spare, then check your work.

The Gauteng department of education has set up a distress line for troubled matriculants. Call it on 086 132 2322.