“You don’t need to work hard,work smart instead !”
A couple of months ago while experimenting with study methods,I stumbled upon a great skill that many of us are afraid to use-’Making it up’. Making it up is what helps me get through oral examinations,even written ones sometimes.
- How can I make it up if I don’t know what to write?
Well,this comes down to studying smart.I have started to study for most examinations by making condensed notes of the chapters and getting the basic idea the chapter is trying to convey.This is important because if you manage to get your head around the broad details and know them very well,then I think half the battle is won.For example,while studying History make sure you know the flow of the events and the dates very well.Understanding the basics in the form of a jigsaw puzzle is what will carry you forward.You need to understand the connection between different elements of your chapter in order to effectively make up answers during an exam.
2)What do I make up?
Now that you know the crux of your chapters ,making up the finer details should be a bit easier.You need to make up your answer based on what you know about the central idea of the chapter.Same goes for oral tests,where confidence is the key to talking your way through sticky situations.To get an answer to that question,you need to realise that making up covers up for what you don’t know.In simple words,you need to hide what you don’t know by emphasizing on what you know.
3)All of this making up is okay but how do I frame an answer?
In truth,this depends on which subject you are doing but basically you need to base your answer on what you already know.For example,If you are asked the ’ situation in Germany in early 1930s due to hyperinflation’,you could frame a logical but general answer about what would happen during hyper-inflation because the effects of it would be similar even today.You can refine your answer by actually addressing how such a situation would pave the way for Hitler.From this example you should understand the importance of connecting different parts of your chapter to form one coherent answer.
4) How can I learn ‘make up’ answers easily?
Learning to make up answers can only come with practice.I feel that knowing the basic outline of your study material is the way to start practicing this technique.Also,being able to express yourself clearly is another skill required to make up and frame crisp answers.
I would like to point out that to make up your answers,you need to have a good command over the language and need to be able to express yourself crisply.Also,you need to learn to think on your feet.In conclusion,’making up’ does not mean weaving incorrect stories,rather it should be a tool used to emphasize on what you know.
Thought Infinite 