Answering Case Studies in Exams

There are many ways in which your knowledge can be tested in an exam. And a case study is one of them. It allows you to showcase your knowledge and apply it in a practical way. To give the best answers, use our tips on answering case studies in exams.

What is a Case Study?

A case study can be a long or short story, newspaper article, or scenario. It could outline an event or problem. The case study is followed by a list of questions. You need to answer questions based on what you have read. Some of which you could be asked to provide include:

Information mentioned in the study
Names of people or objects involved
Solutions to the event or problem

Skills Tested in a Case Study

Case studies can be used to examine you in a variety of subjects. Whether it’s business, economics, or a subject in your course, this is a great way to test your expertise. Skills tested in a case study include:

Reading skills
Knowledge of your coursework
Analytical skills
Critical thinking
Reasoning

Tips on Answering Case Studies in Exams

Not sure what to focus on in the case study? Well some answers might pop out to you, whereas others could be hidden in plain sight. So it’s best to treat all the information as important. Other tips on answering case studies in exams include:

Use Your Time Wisely

Case studies usually add up to quite a few marks. But this does not mean you should spend too much of your time here. Give yourself a set amount of time to read through the study and answer the question. This will give you enough time to complete other sections.

Read Through the Case Study

Now when we say read, we mean in-depth. Read each line without skimming over any information. Take in as much as you can. When you are done, you need to be able to understand everything in the case study.

Take a Look at the Questions

When you are done with the case study, you need to read through all of the questions and marks allocated. Don’t answer them yet! This gives you a better understanding of what is expected of you and how much information you need to give.

Underline Information That Stands out

Think your reading ends here? Think again. Now you have to skim read. While you skim read, take a pen or pencil and underline the information you think is important. You can also make notes on the side if this is easier for you to understand.

Plan Your Answers

As the saying goes ‘if you fail to plan, you plan to fail’. So make sure you plan your answers. If it’s multiple choice, choose an answer that best matches the case study. If it’s open-ended questions, make sure it’s relevant to the study while using knowledge of your coursework.

Use Evidence From the Case Study

You generally need to answer in your own words to prove that you understand. But if you are asked to support your answer, use evidence from the case study. Then give reasoning as well. Make sure you understand command words to know what is expected of you.

Proofread Your Answers

When you are done, take this time to proofread your answers. Make sure you haven’t missed any questions or important information. You also want to check for any spelling errors or incorrect answers. You wouldn’t want to miss out on any marks.