HUNDREDS OF students crammed into the Girl Guides Association of Jamaica headquarters on Waterloo Road, St. Andrew, yesterday for the Kingston leg of The Gleaner's fourth annual Youthlink CXC Examination Techniques Seminar.
Secondary students from rural parishes, as well as from many Corporate Area schools, took up positions in every conceivable part of the auditorium to participate in the interactive presentations. They came by busloads as they sought academic Aspirin for their CXC headaches.
The seminar was held to give students tips on how to successfully pass the dreaded exams. Mathematics and accounts were the two subject areas explored. The mathematics seminar was obviously the larger of the two as mathematics is a compulsory subject at this level. The seminar ends today with a session for students sitting the English language and information technology exams.
Clement Radcliffe, principal of Glenmuir High School in Clarendon, shared his expertise as a mathematics teacher and gave the students helpful methods on coping with the difficult subject.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN EXAM
He explored topics such as construction, simple interest and simultaneous equations, and also gave students an idea of what markers look for in exam papers. Despite the cramped room and hot temperature from the midmorning sun, students took notes and listened keenly to the suggestions made.
The afternoon session was coordinated by Margaret Muschette-Phillips, an accounts lecturer and marker. She outlined how the examination would be set up and what subject areas were generally involved. She also provided the students with general study tips.
In both sections, the students were encouraged to ask questions and to speak openly about their concerns going into the exams. Some found the sessions quite helpful, while others left concerned that they had some catching up to do.
