Save a few minutes near the end of the exam period to reread your essays and insert corrections and emendations. You won’t have time to fix large-scale problems: If you’ve confused the Spanish Armada with Torquemada, you’re toast. But a quick edit may catch embarrassing gaffes or omissions. When you write quickly, you may leave out or transpose some words or simply use the wrong expressions (it’s for its or there for their). Edit these fixable errors. In the process, you may also amplify or repair an idea or two. Here are some other useful strategies.

Use transitional words and phrases. Essay examinations are the perfect place to deploy conspicuous transitions such as first, second, and third, or next, nonetheless, even more important, in contrast, in conclusion, and so on. Don’t be subtle: Transitions keep you on track as you compose and they help your instructor follow what you have to say. (transitions) You will seem in charge of the material.

Do a quick check of grammar, mechanics, and spelling. Some instructors take great offense at mechanical slips, even minor ones. At a minimum, avoid the common errors covered in Part 9 of this book. (help with common errors) Also be sure to spell correctly any names and concepts you’ve been reviewing in preparation for the examination. It’s Macbeth, not McBeth.

Write legibly or print. Few people do much writing by hand anymore. But paper or blue books are still used sometimes for essay examinations. If your handwriting is flat-out illegible, then print and use a pen, as pencil can be faint and hard to read. Printing takes more time, but instructors appreciate the clarity. Also consider double-spacing your essays to allow room for corrections and additions. But don’t spread your words too far apart. A blue book with just a few sentences per page undermines your ethos: It looks juvenile.