How to write better exam answers — even when you’re not sure of the correct answer

How to write better exam answers — even when you’re not sure of the correct answer

 

Have you ever read a question and gone blank?

You’ve seen it before, but your brain just refuses to cooperate.

This thread will teach you how to answer intelligently — even when you're unsure — and improve your chances of passing. 👇

 

1. First, stay calm. Panicking kills memory.

If you’re nervous, your brain shuts down.

You forget even the things you know.

📌 Step back. Breathe.

Read the question again slowly.

Underline the keywords.

Your brain will start making connections.

 

2. Rephrase the question to understand what it wants

Most exam questions are not difficult — they’re just tricky.

✅ If it says "Discuss the effects of photosynthesis on the ecosystem,"

rephrase it in your mind as:

➡️ "How does photosynthesis help the environment?"

Now, even if you don’t remember the full details, you can explain the basic ideas.

 

3. Use what you know to build what you don’t

You may not know the exact answer, but you likely know something related.

📌 Use what you remember to connect the dots.

Example:

You forget the exact laws of thermodynamics — but you remember something about energy not being created or destroyed?

Write that down and explain it in your words.

✅ It’s better than leaving it blank.

 

4. Don’t write “I don’t know” — write something relevant

Examiners are trained to reward effort.

If your answer shows reasoning or partial understanding, you may still score marks.

📌 Tip: Always include definitions, diagrams, and examples where possible.

Even if you're unsure, these can save your score.

 

5. Follow the correct structure for theory answers

Most theory questions need 3 things:

1. Definition or main idea

2. Explanation

3. Example or diagram (if possible)

 

🎯 Example:

Q: What is osmosis?

A (even if unsure):

Osmosis is a biological process involving water.

It occurs when water moves from an area of lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.

An example is water movement in plant roots.

Even if you're not 100% right, you show effort and get partial marks.

 

6. Avoid vague or overly long stories

Don’t fill your paper with empty grammar or irrelevant stories.

❌ “This topic is very important and it has many uses in our society today and many people have studied it and found it useful...”

✅ That’s a red flag. Examiners can smell panic.

✅ Be clear. Be direct. Use the language of your subject.

 

7. Use smart phrases to start your answers

If you’re not confident, start with strong academic phrases like:

✅ “This can be explained as…”

✅ “One possible interpretation is…”

✅ “This is commonly understood as…”

✅ “An example that illustrates this is…”

It sounds mature, and gives you time to recall information.

 

8. Practice how to “pad” an answer without being empty

Let’s say you’re asked:

“Explain Ohm’s Law.”

But you forget the formula.

You can still say:

“Ohm’s Law is a basic principle in electricity. It describes the relationship between current, voltage, and resistance in a circuit. According to this law, when voltage increases, current also increases — as long as resistance stays constant. The formula is usually expressed with these three quantities.”

✅ That’s smart guessing. You may get 3/5 marks.

 

9. Bonus tip: Draw diagrams or tables — even if rough

📌 Diagrams help examiners understand your thinking.

📌 Even a rough sketch of a cell, a circuit, or a graph may earn marks.

Don’t skip them if the question requires one.

 

10. Final advice: Practice this skill before the exam

Answer past questions regularly.

Even when you don’t know the answer, try to write something.

Train your brain to produce ideas under pressure.

🧠 The more you practice, the better you’ll perform on exam day.

 

📢 Summary:

Don’t panic

Break the question down

Write what you know

Use structure: Define → Explain → Example

Don’t leave blanks

Use diagrams and smart phrases

 

🎯 Exams are not about perfection.

They’re about strategy, clarity, and effort.

 

💬 Did this help you?

If yes, share it with someone preparing for WAEC, NECO, JAMB, or uni exams.

Let’s all write smarter — and pass with confidence. ✅📚📝