History exams tips by an history student
Hello there, it's your friendly hermit historian here. Since this post on tips on how to study history by an history student was really appreciated (I am really happy about that!), I thought I'd do a follow up post with a few tips regariding history exams in the specific.
I know the differences in school systems all around the world are huge, but I think many of these tips could be in some way useful to everyone. Just so you know the type of exam I am mostly used to, are oral exams. Here in Italy humanistic courses tendentially have oral exams as their main form. So my personal experience is mostly, but not solely, based on those. Of couse written exams need a specific set of abilities, but if they consist of open questions, or generally give you a chance to write longer answers these tips can be useful too. Some of these tips could be useful for other subjects aswell.
Fundamental information: time and place
Your main goal is to let your professor know that you have understood whatever the question is about. Since we are talking about history here, the first thing you want to do is to set times and places. So whatever your professor asks you, the first priority is to say in what time period the event took place and where in the world. This will let them know you know exactly what you are talking about. After that comes the real answer so the people involved, what happened, the correlated events, etc.
pro tip: if you really cannot remember about a specific date, try to at least set the time period. Both while you are exposing the events freely, and when you are directly asked a date by your professor. This happened to me multiple times, I was asked about a specific date, I did not remember it, and so I told my professor that I couldn't remember it, then instead of stopping I reasoned out loud on what the time period could be. This showed I was comforable with a lot of informations, that I was able to reason and therefore I did not just memorized without understanding, and that me not remembering a specific date did not mean I hadn't studied enough. This is why while studying you should make sure you have clearly in mind in which century events take place, it can be a life saver.
Language
This can be fundamental in order to get a high mark and not just a mediocre result. Whereas while reviewing you notes I highly incourage you to use simple, even silly language, in your exam you should try to be as academic as you can. This means be clear with your words, don't be too colloquial, and use specific historical language to refer to events and the processes you are talking about. Often while studying history you will find out that many words you use on a daily basis, actually have a slightly different meaning from what you thought. Letting your professor know that you understand these differences, and you know the proper vocabulary to discuss historical events can have a huge impact on your exam result.
I'll give you an example on this very last point. Of couse I am referring to and translating from the Italian language, because that's what I use on a daily basis, but bear with me. Commonly the words colonialsm and colonization are used to refer to the same thing. There is a slight difference, in fact colonialsm refers to the doctrines of colonization, meanwhile colonization refers to the process itself. Of couse using these words exchangeably on the daily is fine, but if during your exam you show you know the difference, it could be in your favour.
Be clear
The clearer you are in your exposition, the easier will be for your professor to understand you know what you are talking about. There's always a lot of informations that come to mind, after a question is posed. Proceed in steps, explain one thing at the time, just as if you are telling a story. Follow the main line of your answer, and simply worry about one thing at the time. If you try to tell everything all at once, your exposition will be messy, and you will appear as confused, which is obviously not your goal. If mid-answer you realize you have forgotten something, cosider whether it is really important information or not. If it's just a small detail let it go, it won't change your mark in the end, and it's not worth it to interrupt your exposition. If on the other end it is really fundamental information, finish talking about whatever you are explaining. Then simply state you just realized you haven't mentioned this important element regarding a previous point. Being direct on the fact that something slipped you mind shows you are very aware of what you are saying, and that you know what you are doing.
Use the question as a jumping point
This is fundamental in oral exams, the thing is quite simple the more you speak confidently the less questions your professor will ask you. So when asked about something, first clearly answer to the question, but after that do not stop. It's way better to be interrupeted by your professor, than just stay there silently. Add everything relating to that subject that comes to mind, make links, try to lead the conversation on topics you know well. This is important for two main reasons. Firstly you'll make a good impression, because you are showing off your knowledge. Secondly you are showing the ability of linking different subject in a coherent way, this means that you have really understood the historical processes, which is really important. The fact that your professor will have to interrupt you is also good, because it will be clear that you could talk about that topic more than you are actually required.
Compare similar events or processes
This is one of the best way to show off both that you have understood the events you are talking about, and that you have critical thinking abilities. After an event happens, many changes occur, coparting the before amd after directly can be a great way to explain such changes. An example could be the differences in european society during the ancien régime and after its fall with the French revolution. Another type of comparison could be between different states during the same period of time, and so on. This type of information is always great to show off you are comfortable with all the facts and you know how to reason on them.
Focus on the processes, but smartly give out specific informations
This is very useful in general, but expecially in those cases in which the question is about something you aren't super confident with. As we said you have to show you understood, and not that you have memorized by heart everything. Focusing on the processes, how events are connected, is fundamental. Generally is also easier because it doesn't imply a huge list of dates and names, which can be difficult to remember. My trick here is simple. As you are explaining the object of the question, make sure to refer at least one important date and relevent name, by doing so you will avoid a direct question from your professor. After you have shown you know at least a couple of very specific informations, it's less likely for them to directly ask you about these difficult things, and you can go on talking about the processes and events.
Make sure to highlight you have understood how things are linked to each other
Partially related to previous points, the main way to show you have understood the historical period you had to study, is to clearly explain how different events are linked to each other. History is a huge game of dominos, and each piece influences the next one, just as it was itself influced by what came before. To show you can reason on these changes, and the causes, is fundamental for any historical exposition.
Pro tip: realaborate what is written in your text book. If you use words you are more comfortable with, and your own words in general, it will be easier for you, and it will be clearer you have understood.
Direct reminders of things said in class
This is a pro tip again, and it's very easy, but very effective. If you have followed the classes, try to refer to something specific that was said there, and that maybe wasn't present in the books. It's very common to have either little details about an event/ historical figure, or examples, that were said in class only. Also things that maybe were specifically asked during class. These are all precious informations, because refering to them will imediatly give a great impression of you. It's a very simple trick to let the professor know that you were in class, and that you payed attention. This is something I personally do all of the time.
