Improving Exam Performance with Associate Professor Chan Sook Chin

The January Continuing Medical Education (CME) session How to Answer Exam Questions, led by Associate Professor Chan Sook Chin, addressed a common problem faced by students which is knowing the content but not knowing how to answer exam questions properly.

The session focused on how exam questions are meant to be read, interpreted, and answered. Students were guided to slow down, read questions carefully, and identify what is actually being asked instead of writing everything they know. A particular attention was given to recognising command verbs such as define, analyse and compare, and tailoring answers accordingly.

They were taught to plan their answers before writing, select only relevant points, and stay focused on the question. The PEE approach – Point, Evidence, and Explanation – was introduced as a practical structure to help students present answers clearly and logically, especially for essay based questions.

During this session, there were also interactive multiple choice question discussions included. These highlighted how question design affects student performance and understanding. For lecturers, this served as a reminder of the responsibility to set questions that are clear, fair, and aligned with learning outcomes.

Overall, the session tackled exam performance from both sides of the table. How students answer questions, and how assessments are designed. The result was a practical and relevant discussion that supported better learning habits and stronger teaching practices.