Tried my luck with another comps question.
[I always hesitate to say exactly what the question was about primarily due to Kirsten's suggestion that the most difficult comprehensive exam would likely be the one that was created especially for you - and your weaknesses. Though, admittedly, this silly (scary?) countdown is likely as, if not more, revealing in that respect than would be the unspecified question.]
The question I chose asked that I discuss the validity and potential implications of a specific statement. I’ll leave the specifics of the question a mystery and just say that I wrote nearly non-stop for the first four minutes before remembering I best reread the question and make sure I was addressing all aspects. I was not. My four-minute brainstorming diatribe was mainly about validity (the statement had some, but also left room for challenge). Therefore, I spent the final minute of my allotted five on potential implications. Amazingly, at least to me, I had even more to say about what this statement could mean to the future of the information field.
Linda Summers
Was just chatting last night with Dr. Van Fleet about the importance of reading questions carefully — like if it asks us to compare and contrast two things, not to talk about just one.
And yeah, the countdown is a wee bit scary, though it’s a good reminder too that we’ve miles to go before we crash on the afternoon of the 27th. ;-)
“Crash”!?!?!?!? Now I’m really scared! (though I do appreciate the optimism immensely ;-)
As for increasing the odds of addressing all aspects of the question, perhaps a good way to do so is to underline, highlight, etc. any and all key words and phrases, e.g. “compare and contrast.”
[I'm glad we're taking comps in the same semester, Kirsten. I find your positive energy to be highly contagious.]
Not literally! (Please g*d, not literally.) I just know that my mental and physical energy levels will plummet as soon as the test is done — always have in the past when taking big tests. Gotta come down off that adrenaline high sometime, right?!?
And yes, I’m very big on marking up the questions (using circles, boxes, and underlines to mark actions, key concepts, and hints). I’ve a tendency to go off on tangents, so it really helps me stay focused on the topic at hand when I can see the main topics at a glance.
Glad to help any way I can. :-)