Answering Exam Questions (Length Issue)
 

Dear Members

I have a problem regarding answering examination questions. This problem pertains to the subjective portions (Part II) of the examinations. It frequently so happens that the candidates are given straightforward questions with most of them having quiet straight forward answers.

Now given that each question has a weight of 20 marks, the answer-length too should, normally, be proportional to the weight of the questions. I have noticed many a candidates who put a lot of premium on ''writing as much as you can/filling pages'' with some going as far as to say ''divide the questions in 4,5 parts with each page representing 4/5 marks'' which, even if possible is sure to be filled with ''jumbled and loose stuff'' to quote the annual report of the [B]FPSC (2013)[/B].

[B]My question[/B]: If we really are expected to be precise in answering the questions, is it fine if the length/quantity doesn't add up to the ''generally-expected-level''? Even if stretched to it's 'acceptable' limits, and at the same time keeping it relevant, is it okay if a 20 mark answer doesn't exceed 2 pages? For example, a question asks you to define Social Research and then requires to explain the steps taken in carrying it out.

The introduction would simply contain a definition followed by briefly listing/describing the steps. Even if one is to be liberal with adding material, the second para can be devoted to, again, listing each step with hardly 4,5 lines of explanation including examples (assuming 10 words per line). It shouldn't be more than 1.5 pages.

If what you write is ALL that the questions ask of you and if it doesn't exceed a certain limit (generally held to be ''less'')...will that be fine?

[B]Cogito, Aik Admi, Monk, Mods...and others?[/B]

I always say, [B]do justice with the question[/B]. Length will automatically be adjusted. Quality matters more than quantity, this is not some matric/fsc exam of Pak Studies or Islamiat.

[QUOTE=kingfalcon;875693]I always say, [B]do justice with the question[/B]. Length will automatically be adjusted. Quality matters more than quantity, this is not some matric/fsc exam of Pak Studies or Islamiat.[/QUOTE]
That is precisely what i stated: **If what you write is ALL that the questions ask of you**

What if ''Justice'' is served in what is generally regarded as inadequate/insufficient? Keeping in mind a 20-mark question, what if the question is framed in a way that draws an answer (complete/relevant/sufficient) required of a 10-marker (in length)? Okay let me rephrase: What is the [B]ideal[/B] length for an answer in this exam?

I know it's something insignificant and trivial but one must know as the quantity of the content does matter, unfortunately, in pak be it FSc or CSS.

Anybody else?

Anywhere from two to five A4-sized-30-line-sides-of-a-page, with 1 inch margins. Probably 500-1500 words, depending on the nature of the question asked.

The answer might seem vague, but as you already know, there can be a massive difference between the open-ended nature of the question as well as the way you write the answer (quality).

[QUOTE=Mrkhansaab;875702]Anywhere from two to five A4-sized-30-line-pages with 1 inch margins. Probably 1000-5000 words, depending on the nature of the question asked.

The answer might seem vague, but as you already know, there can be a massive difference between the open-ended nature of the question as well as the way you write the answer (quality).[/QUOTE]

Upto 5000? Kia hogya Khaan saab...:haha One 20 marker surpassing a full-length 100 mark essay! Please accept my sincerest gratitude for such an HONEST opinion :clap:blink: :eek:

[QUOTE=Toru;875706]Upto 5000? Kia hogya Khaan saab...:haha One 20 marker surpassing a full-length 100 mark essay! Please accept my sincerest gratitude for such an HONEST opinion :clap:blink: :eek:[/QUOTE]

Ah you looked upon it instantly ;D. I edited 30 seconds after i posted it. Miscalculated words versus page coverage. I meant 500-1500.

[QUOTE=Mrkhansaab;875709]Ah you looked upon it instantly ;D. I edited 30 seconds after i posted it. Miscalculated words versus page coverage. I meant 500-1500.[/QUOTE]
Haha. You have no idea how glad (and relieved) I am to read this post.
I thank you for your guidance, though it's not like I didn't mean it the last time =P

[QUOTE=Toru;875651]Dear Members

I have a problem regarding answering examination questions. This problem pertains to the subjective portions (Part II) of the examinations. It frequently so happens that the candidates are given straightforward questions with most of them having quiet straight forward answers.

Now given that each question has a weight of 20 marks, the answer-length too should, normally, be proportional to the weight of the questions. I have noticed many a candidates who put a lot of premium on ''writing as much as you can/filling pages'' with some going as far as to say ''divide the questions in 4,5 parts with each page representing 4/5 marks'' which, even if possible is sure to be filled with ''jumbled and loose stuff'' to quote the annual report of the [B]FPSC (2013)[/B].

[B]My question[/B]: If we really are expected to be precise in answering the questions, is it fine if the length/quantity doesn't add up to the ''generally-expected-level''? Even if stretched to it's 'acceptable' limits, and at the same time keeping it relevant, is it okay if a 20 mark answer doesn't exceed 2 pages? For example, a question asks you to define Social Research and then requires to explain the steps taken in carrying it out.

The introduction would simply contain a definition followed by briefly listing/describing the steps. Even if one is to be liberal with adding material, the second para can be devoted to, again, listing each step with hardly 4,5 lines of explanation including examples (assuming 10 words per line). It shouldn't be more than 1.5 pages.

If what you write is ALL that the questions ask of you and if it doesn't exceed a certain limit (generally held to be ''less'')...will that be fine?

[B]Cogito, Aik Admi, Monk, Mods...and others?[/B][/QUOTE]


Length is not a factor here but quality and relevance are, and that too depends upon the amount of material you have to write. Some practice a lot and limit themselves to summarize the data and arguments in 4 to 5 pages but there a few who have enormous data and they write all of it.

[B]Point being quality and relevance matters be it 4 pages or 8 pages. Time is also a factor and you have to keep in mind that too.[/B]


JazakAllah

There are a lot of factors that determine the appropriate length of a quality answer. What constitutes a good answer depends on the type of subject, the requirements of a particular question, the candidates verbosity (or the lack thereof), as well as the scope and depth of one's approach.

Time is the only constant and so I believe that the length of your answer should primarily be dictated be the amount of time that you have. For CSS, you'll have about 40 minutes for each 20 mark question. After brainstorming and writing an outline (which I highly recommend) you'll be left with about 30 minutes for each question. Now, you'll be expected to answer the question directly, keeping in mind that you'll also have to incorporate the answers to subsidiary questions that follow the main question. CSS examiners divide questions into 2 or 3 parts but they do not mention how these parts are weighed in terms of marking therefore you're expected to make a judgement call and present a balanced answer to all parts within the given time. If you spend 10 minutes for brainstorming and organizing your thoughts, your only job in the remaining time would be to expand on those ideas. You won't have to pause and come up with new thoughts midway through your answer. Every person has a unique writing style and speed; on average, I was able to write 500-550 words in 30 minutes. 7 words per line and 18 lines per page, my answers were mostly 4 pages long.

You have to keep in mind that some answers will include diagrams, flowcharts and tables. Your answers to such questions will vary in length considerably, depending on what information you chose to include.

During the exam you'll find that 30 minutes are not enough to give a comprehensive answer to [I]any[/I] question posed by the examiner. You'll be judged not only by the quality of your answer but also by how you manage to fit in your answer(s) within the given time.

Your example: Define social research and steps taken in carrying it out?

The scope of this question is so broad that you can write for hours on end on this one question alone (if you've done your homework).

You begin by defining "Social Research" which should take no more than 3-4 lines. Then you differentiate between quantitative and qualitative social research. Mention reliability and validity. Then you go on and list various techniques that are employed in carrying out social research, such as surveys, questionnaires, interviews, regressions, case studies and experiments etc. You can have a paragraph for each method listing its definition as well as its merits and demerits. This should take a page and a half or so. Then you move on to specify steps in each one. There are several types of surveys and they all have different steps. Same is the case for interviews and experiments. Simply explaining steps for conducting experiments in 30 minutes will be a daunting task. From forming a hypothesis, to identifying dependent and independent variables, to choosing sample, to assigning control and experiment groups, to minipulating independent variable, to measuring changes, to analyzing results. You'll also be expected to identify and explain relevant concepts along the way (such as double-blind procedures, longitudinal studies) and their usefulness in conducting social research. In the end you're expected to ties up loose ends and go back to the bigger picture of social research.

The way I see it, it's not about how much you should write, it's about how much relevant stuff you can fit in within the given time.

"Fall of East Pakistan was a negation of Two-Nation theory." Argue.

Consider the above question. And tell me honestly, can anyone do justice with it while confining himself within two pages? Yes, there are some questions whose answers can be summed up in two or so pages. But mostly what you get in CSS is the type of questions whose answers can potentially be expanded even to the length of a full 100-marks essay. My opinion is the same as kingfalcon: do justice with each question according to its demand.