Examination Technique

≈ 34 min

Examination Technique

EGD papers are long, and marks are lost to process as often as to knowledge.

Read the whole question first. Which convention is specified? Which views are asked for? Is a section required, and of what type? Starting to draw before answering these is how a correct drawing ends up answering the wrong question.

Set out before drawing. Sketch the sheet layout and check the views fit. A beautifully drawn front view that leaves no room for the side view costs more time than the layout would have.

Construction lines earn marks. Method is assessed. Leave your construction visible — erasing it removes the evidence that you constructed rather than guessed, and in most EGD mark schemes those are allocated marks.

Allocate time by marks. A 40-mark question deserves roughly twice the time of a 20-mark one. Running out of time on the last question because the first was polished is a self-inflicted loss.

Finish incomplete work honestly. An unfinished drawing still earns marks for what is correct. Rushing to "complete" it with guessed lines can lose marks already gained.

Core checkpoint: Read, set out, construct visibly, watch the clock. The drawing skill is only part of the mark.

Why should construction lines be left visible on an examination drawing?

They are evidence of method, and mark schemes allocate marks to them directly.

Because there is not enough time to erase them.

To show the examiner which pencil was used.

They should always be erased for neatness.

What should be established before any line of the object is drawn?

The required convention, the views asked for, the section type, and the sheet layout.

The pencil grade and the eraser type.

How many marks the question carries only.

Nothing — start drawing and adjust as you go.

How should time be allocated across an EGD paper?

Roughly in proportion to the marks each question carries.

Equally between all questions regardless of marks.

Most time on the first question, to start well.

Most time on the question you find most interesting.

Time is running out and a drawing is incomplete. What is the better approach?

Leave it incomplete — correct work still earns its marks, while guessed lines can lose marks already gained.

Fill in the remaining lines by estimation so the drawing looks finished.

Erase the incomplete work so it is not marked wrong.

Start the drawing again on a fresh sheet.