We wish you all the best of luck for tomorrow but having marked and discussed revision with some of you, here are some last nuggets of exam wisdom!! Please take them and all of the other advice we have all given you over the last year on board and get plenty of sleep tonight!
Read all questions thoroughly before choosing which to answer (or in National 5 case, before choosing how to answer them).
USE ALL OF YOUR TIME (if you finish the paper, then read over, add to and edit!!)
National 5
Fully justify (give reasons relating to the question) all answers you give (in both sections!)
If you need to write down a quick scenario or mind map ideas for Section 2, do!!
Higher
Section A When answering a question about a character’s importance or development, unless specifically stated otherwise (ie “in the final scene) then you need evidence and contextual knowledge of that character from throughout the play!
Section A As a director or actor you must use a variety of terminology to describe you preparation or your performance and fully justify this in the context of the play.
Section A Refer to the question!!
Section B Take your own ruler with you!
Section B Demonstrate your contextual knowledge by identifying where the DC extract occurs in the play and where it is set.
Section B Use contextual knowledge of the whole play to influence your moves and justifications.
Section B Give and opening and closing LX cue.
Section B Make sure that you use stage directions (USC, CS, DSL, etc.), and a variety of movement, voice and positioning terminology.
Section C Don’t analyse development of the personality of characters, or the plot developments of the plays unless it is relevant to the question.
Section C Read through your quotes and points and make sure you are prepared for answering questions about all themes and issues for S,P, R and Gender Issues.
Section C Have examples prepared for relationships across genders, across generations, within genders, and within generations.
Advanced Higher (applies to both sections)
Have a list of at least 10 influences for your practitioners and at least 10 corresponding techniques which you can explain and contextualise.
Discuss the question fully in your introduction, establishing that you understand what is being asked of you and introducing the format in which you will answer the question/what you believe to be the key points which will answer the question.
Write a quick plan of a fluid and cohesive structure – either chronological or logically through linked techniques.
When giving examples of where techniques have been used or quotes from relevant plays or theoretical writing, contextualise these (describe the specific moment and its’ significance, or the context the practitioner was writing about). Don’t just quote, then move on. It must be contextualised for the examiner to know that you understand why you are using the quote, and why it is important!
Chekhov was a playwright – never a director!!
Have three or four contemporary performances and examples from practitioners own productions which you can reference. That way you are prepared for most eventualities!
ALL
AGAIN – get plenty of sleep, and have a good breakfast.
DON’T drink lots right before the exam/DO make a well-timed toilet visit 10 minutes before the exam starts.
Take some water with you.
All the best from Mrs MacPherson, Miss Macnab and Mrs Moss
May the force be with you, young padawans.