Quick Step Guide to Answering Short Exam Questions

DO NOT PANIC!!
You do not need to show the entire extent of your knowledge—do NOT write
everything you know (this will waste time and not gain you marks!!). The
examiners are looking for a short but well explained answer.

To get an A you need 3 things;

• Adequate Body of Knowledge
  Some students only have a superficial grasp of the subject especially with Unit 4. You need to demonstrate that you have a good working knowledge of the institutions and political processes that you have learnt about. There is no getting round this—you HAVE to learn what the teacher teaches!!!
• Timing
  Although you have a short amount of time—there is still enough time to develop your argument. You will be expected to show analysis in your
  answers—this will not be of a whole topic but of one specific aspect. Just because the question only asks about one aspect of the topic does NOT mean that you can not show a degree of analysis in your answer.
• Exam Technique
  You need to be concise (no introduction, no lengthy conclusion, use of political vocabulary).
  You need to be precise (directly address the question—not just the answer you prepared earlier or learnt off by heart).
• Examples
  You must use evidence in your answer in the form of contemporary
  examples—it is no good using examples from the 1980s that are over 30 years old!!! – Things change!!

KNOWLEDGE + ANALYSIS + EVIDENCE = GRADE A

Example Short Exam Questions

• How is the constitution amended?
• Why is the amendment process so difficult?
• How are federal judges appointed?
• Why are judicial appointments so controversial?
• How do judges use their powers?
• Explain judicial restraint/judicial activism?
• What are the limitations on the powers of the federal judges?
• How has federalism developed?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of
  federalism?
• What are the powers of Congress/House of
  Representatives/the Senate?
• Explain the legislative/oversight role of Congress.
• What is the role of Congressional Committees?
• How important is the Vice-President?
• How does the federal bureaucracy operate?
• How important is the cabinet/executive office of the
  president?