Students often have wrong ideas about these exams, such as. English literature paper 1 1hr 45 minutes this is a closed book exam you will not have a copy of the text with you. Lots of students i know are a wee bit freaked out by the whole closed book thing. In a closed book examination, the teacher does not have to work as hard as in an open book examination. Everyone who prepares for the english literature and composition ap exam wonders how many books to study for the open question on the exam.
Usually, however, in a timed, written exam you would not be expected to reference your quotes, but you may be required to memorise the quotes if it is a closed book exam. There are 2 literature papers which include the content of. Secure is examsofts term for closedbook law school exams. Three things the new gcse english literature course. First, you should feel good about having closedbook exams. They test your ability to find and apply information. Both exams are closedbook which means that students will not be allowed copies of the set texts to refer to and they will need to learn key quotations beforehand. Thefirst your sons poetry exam will be open book, with a clean, unannotated copy of the aqa anthology provided. No teacher would intentionally plan for students to fail at an exam as a teaching method, but i do think it has that additional benefit. Hopefully, this is useful and hopefully this is a true reflection of the main messages from the examiners report for english literature although only based on the texts we taught in my school. Extract to whole is our way of supporting students to meet these requirements in a fair and transparent. St pauls school for girls year 11 curriculum english. What books should i read for the ap english literature exam. Literature paper 2 modern texts and poetry exam summary.
The wjec a level english literature drama section of the exam is closed book. What do you think of closed book exams closed book exam revision tips why do closed book exams in english lit even exist. Here are some thoughts on getting ready for your closedbook exams. As and alevel english literature b specification at a glance aqa. Just when you thought things couldnt get any more exciting, you found your way to this page. If you are studying prose with ccea your examination will be closed book. How to get a solid a grade in english literature is alevel english literature open book. What is the purpose of closed book literature exams. Whats the best way to memorise quotes for a closedbook. But it is an essential task as examiners are looking for good understanding and reference to the text. It is an incredible achievement that the petition received 160,000. Choose from 3 different sets of series 7 exam closed book flashcards on quizlet.
Our international gcse in english literature sits within our w ider subject offer for english. How to prepare for a closed book english literature exam. Quotes to remember should be short, multisignificant and, unsurprisingly, memorable. Gcse english literature specification at a glance aqa.
Either way, you will need to read the text and different summaries of the storyline so you know the plot in depth. My son this year has one open book exam the shakespeare and one exam without texts novel and poems as well as a criticism paper. Macbeth and a christmas carol have been popular choices in a lot of schools. Difference between open and closed book examination. The petition to authorise open book exams reads as follows. Closed book definition of closed book by merriamwebster. Last year, lots of students struggled with gcse english literature as it was a closed book exam. Why do closed book exams in english lit even exist. Closed book exam makes the student recall the content of. What do you think about the new closed book examinations for. How to prepare for a closed book english literature exam quora. Closed book examinations in gcse english literature wjec. Learning quotes for a closedbook exam can seem like a very daunting task, especially when youve studied a text in detail for an entire year. It should extend learners interest in, and enthusiasm for, literature as they develop an understanding of the ways in which literature is rich and influential.
We also offer international gcse qualifications in english language specification a and specification b and english as a second language within our overall english offer. How do i revise for it, and how do i no what quotes to choose and remember. Closed book examinations in gcse english literature some observations. While there is no single answer to this question, it is safe to say the more, the better as long as you know them well. I asked why english lit exams have closed book exams with no books whatsoever. Edwards has his doubts about the english language curriculum, but is enthusiastic about the new english literature gcse. The phrase closed book exam is enough to make even the most seasoned english literature student shudder slightly. And of course, students prefer openbook to closedbook exams and find them less stressful philips, 2006. Its not necessary to memorize a dozen lines of a shakespeare play when you can write something like, when lady macbeth says she. A new specification always has its challenges, but the closedbook aspect of the new literature gcse has been a real battle, as well as the new and, in some cases, unfamiliar texts after the national day of mourning when of mice and men was officially removed from the english gcse curriculum, we all picked ourselves up and went about selecting. How can they expect us to remember quotes from 15 poems, plus how to analyse them, plus remembering the whole plot, themes, characters and quotes from another book.
Feller 1994 further suggested that the openbook exam is superior to closedbook exams as it is more realisticsimilar to problemsolving situations students are likely to face outside of academia. Pearson edexcel gcse english literature practice papers the pearson edexcel english literature gcse has two separate papers, each of which is worth 50% overall. Closed book meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. I am sure you are laughing after reading this, but i do believe they are good preparation for the biggest closedbook exam of them all the bar exam. Aqa english language and literature specification at a. Exams shouldnt be a test on the students memory,but how we interpret texts. Mr gove may well have changed it to closed book for the new spec current y9 but im focusing on my y11s before i start looking at that too closely. What do the terms openbook, closedbook, secure, and nonsecure exam mean. This means you will not be allowed to bring your book into the examination. I often think that one of the most valuable aspects of exams is the questions you get wrong. Change the gcse english literature exam from closed book. Our gcse english literature specification should encourage learners to be inspired, moved and changed by following a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study.
Pearson edexcel gcse english literature practice papers. Anne knows everything you need to know about cramming for your edexcel literature exam. Learn series 7 exam closed book with free interactive flashcards. How do i use quotes in my a level english lit exam. Authorise open book examinations of english lit 2017 petition help. Both open and closed book examinations are beneficial to the memory of a child. Of course, the best thing you can do is read the literature, so if you dont have a copy of the novel. She commented with part of the reason i like closed book for lit hides. While theres not an official collegeboard ap reading list, there are books that will be more useful for you to. Mps will debate the new closedbook exams for gcse english literature after more than 100,000 people signed a petition calling for texts to be allowed in the exam room the petition argues that exams shouldnt be a test on the students memory, claiming that students could be required to learn and memorise more than 250 quotes for the two literature papers. Also, make sure not to make the openbook exam terribly hard.
A petition opposing the new closedbook exams for gcse english literature has received over 100,000 signatures. The introduction of closed book examinations, for gcse english literature, requires students to learn and memorise quotes for this exam. Closed book exams no texts taken into the exams at all speaking and listening accreditation reported separately on students certificates but not included in the gcse grade the two english gcse qualifications english language english literature 100% exam 100% exam two papers two papers. I do think its a bit ridiculous especially for larger books but it can work if in the marking criteria they dont really require you to have memorised all the bloody quotes. Mps to debate closedbook gcse english literature exam.
Discussions sur closed book dans le forum english only. In open book exams, students are allowed to bring notes, texts, andor other resources into the exam room. How do i memorise quotations for a closed book exam. I was saying that having the clean texts wont advantage you that much. The introduction of closed book examinations,for gcse english literature,requires students to learn and memorise quotes for this exam. Open book exam makes the student apply what is learned appropriately. Closed book definition is something beyond comprehension. English literature paper 1 will ask you to write about a play by shakespeare and a 19th century novel or novella. A lot of students wonder if theres a specific ap english reading list of books they should be reading to succeed on the ap literature and composition exam. Nonsecure is examsofts term for openbook law school exams.
Choose from 500 different sets of series closed book flashcards on quizlet. January john steinbeck 2006 penguin red classics new ed edition 978 0 1410 2357 1. Im studying a2 english lit, and the exam this year happens to be a closed book exam, meaning you wont actually have the novel in front of you. Give them a recipe for exam success while, of course, avoiding teaching to the test. Watford 995 signatures, last year, lots of students struggled with gcse english literature as it was a closed book exam. Change the gcse english literature exam from closed book to. Remember, if this is coursework you will need to reference your quotes. More information about all of our qualifications c an be found on our edexcel. What are the comparative advantages of openbook versus. Are they stil allowed to take the texts into the english.
Thats how it was for a level english lit but didnt think it would happen for gcses as well. Aqa gcse english literature specification at a glance. Your teacher will inform you which referencing system you are required to use. Learn series closed book with free interactive flashcards. It is not simply about the subject being made more difficult than it needs to be. Mps will debate the new closed book exams for gcse english literature after more than 100,000 people signed a petition calling for texts to be allowed in the exam room the petition argues that exams shouldnt be a test on the students memory, claiming that students could be required to learn and memorise more than 250 quotes for the two literature papers. Mps to debate whether texts should be taken into gcse. Yes, even if they cant take it into the exam they dont need to learn it by heart.
How can they expect us to remember quotes from 15 poems, plus how to analyse them, plus remembering the whole plot, themes. Keep in mind that quotations on the exams are not meant to be long blockquotes, but rather short and to the point. The new structure of the gcse english literature closed book exams raises issues for students and teachers. English majors read a variety of books in order to improve their critical thinking, writing, and researching skills, while developing proficiency in analyzing and interpreting literature. Gcse english literature exams mr virendra sharma in the.
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