Homeschool Guide: These lesson plans are a guide for parents. Content may contain errors — always cross-reference with official exam board specifications.

written exam technique

FoundationHigherAll Boards

4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.

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Lesson Overview

Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA

Learning Objectives

Prerequisites

Materials & Equipment

Lesson 1: Introduction: written exam technique

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Write down everything you already know about written exam technique. Then check against the key terms: key terms from written exam technique. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: key terms from written exam technique.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: written exam technique. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Dance because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look

Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: explain the key ideas of written exam technique

Plenary (5 minutes)

Check Out

Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about written exam technique.

Lesson 2: Core Concepts: written exam technique

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on written exam technique. Check them against the notes below.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Key Fact: The AQA 8236 written paper is 1 hour 30 minutes and is worth 40% of the total GCSE grade
Key Fact: Read all questions before starting — plan your time based on marks available per question
Key Fact: Spend approximately 1.5 minutes per mark as a rough guide for timing
Key Fact: Always plan extended answers before writing — a brief outline saves time and improves structure
Key Fact: Start with the question you feel most confident about to build momentum and confidence
Key Fact: Use the PEEL structure for paragraphs: Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link to intention

Practice (10 minutes)

Q: explain the key ideas of written exam technique

Answer:

Plenary (5 minutes)

Explain Back

Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.

Lesson 3: Application: written exam technique

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Recall the key terms: key terms from written exam technique. Define each in one sentence.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.

Work through the practice questions on the revision notes page for this topic.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Error Review

Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.

Lesson 4: Exam Practice: written exam technique

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Command Words

Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).

Main Content (35 minutes)

Exam-Style Question

Attempt a past-paper style question on written exam technique from the exam board past paper finder (see Resources), then mark it against the scheme.

Exam Tips: Read the whole paper first and mark up command words before writing anything | Use the 1.5 minutes per mark rule — a 6-mark question gets 9 minutes maximum | Plan extended answers with 3–4 key points before writing in full sentences | Never leave a question blank — even a rough answer may pick up marks for knowledge | Check that every paragraph links back to the question focus or choreographic intention
Common Errors: ✗ Spending too long on early questions and rushing later ones. ✓ Allocate time per mark at the start and stick to it. Move on when your time is up — you can return to unfinished answers during checking time. ✗ Writing everything you know about a topic without addressing the command word. ✓ Identify the command word first and structure every point around it. Knowledge is only credited when it answers the question as asked. ✗ Using vague language instead of precise dance terminology. ✓ Replace 'the dancer moved well' with 'the dancer performed a sustained, flowing développé at a high level' — precision earns marks. ✗ Skipping the planning stage for extended answers. ✓ A two-minute plan saves t
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: explain how written exam technique connects to another Dance topic you have studied
  • Real-world: research one real-world use or example of written exam technique
  • Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in written exam technique?"

Plenary (5 minutes)

Assessment Criteria
  • Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
  • Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
  • Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2

Homework & Consolidation

Recommended Resources

🎓 Smart Lesson (Guided)