Exam Handwriting Technique

[kauac]

Hey everyone...

Just looking for opinions on how to improve speed for handwriting in exams?
I normally have neat writing, but when it comes to exams, it is almost illegible sometimes (I must write slow normally).
Also, has anyone tried the idea of strapping batteries to pens to strengthen the hand, and has it worked??

[Natasha.97]

Hi!

This article has great tips

Strapping batteries was helpful for me in terms of speed (I didn't remove them for the final exams!)

[beatroot]

Strapping batteries was helpful for me in terms of speed (I didn't remove them for the final exams!)

^^ 100% agree with Jess here! I found out that my handwriting looked WAY NEATER with the batteries because it weighed my pen down and made sure that my writing actually sat on the lines.

[chelseam]

Hey! I agree with Jess - batteries helped heaps to improve my handwriting speed, and it also helped me get used to writing under extra pressure so that when it came to exams (I took the batteries off) I didn’t get any cramping like I usually did!

I also found that writing skinnier and taller helped me write faster as well! since this wasn’t my usual style of writing, whenever I wrote something under timed conditions I tried to make sure that I was writing in tall & skinny letters rather than my usual handwriting. I eventually got used to that style and was comfortable with it during exams, and found that it also helped with my writing speed

[jamonwindeyer]

Just want to add too that you need to practice writing stuff under time. Don't walk into a Paper 2 and expect to crank out three essays in 2 hours if you've never even attempted it before. Practice makes perfect!!

My girlfriend did the battery trick and she vouches for it

[manthila2000]

Strapping batteries to pens?? I don’t understand...

[A TART]

Strapping batteries to pens?? I don’t understand...

Some extra weight slows down some people's writing speed so they write neater. I've instead screwed several nuts before in my pen and ended up hating it. It differs from person to person.

[kauac]

Just want to add too that you need to practice writing stuff under time.

Yes, definitely!

Seems like the general consensus supports the battery theory - I think I might give it a try.
Thanks guys 

[alisoneom]

Hey guys! I just had another question regarding the battery trick - does this work for slow handwriting as well? My handwriting is generally quite legible but it takes a while to write and tires my hands out. So I’m wondering if the battery helps for both legibility and speed? Thank you

[chelseam]

Hey guys! I just had another question regarding the battery trick - does this work for slow handwriting as well? My handwriting is generally quite legible but it takes a while to write and tires my hands out. So I’m wondering if the battery helps for both legibility and speed? Thank you

Yes, it definitely will help you with speed - it gets you used to writing with extra pressure/weight (so when you take them off after some time you may notice your speed improving)

[OC8033]

I find practising writing essays on photocopied paper of the exact writing booklets we use in exams helps me gain fluency in my writing and helps with getting faster and clearer.
Hope this helps 

[The Special One]

Probably too late now if you haven't learned to write ewith one already  but I used fountain pens for all my writing. It's so much smoother and easier .

I've always been an exceptionally quick writer 10+ pages or so in 2 hours when I'm on a roll,  however people have said it's not normal what I do  so maybe what works for me doesn't work for others.

All I can say is  practice  makes perfect and a heavier pen may be more suited to your tastes.

[emilyygeorgexx]

Hi!

I’ve never related to a post so much before. My writing is always relatively neat in class but then when I get into the exam I feel so stressed and the writing it’s almost illegible. Countless teachers at my school have told me that I need to fix it on the asap.

So the last couple of weeks I have been trying different things. I have experimented with different pens (like finer points and different gel pens). Finer point looks much nicer but after doing Section 1 of my English Paper 1 with it yesterday, the hand definitely hurt. I have also bought ergonomic pencilgrips which have helped me adjust how I hold my pen so I am not forcing as much pressure at the tip.

Also this may sound so stupid but I recently bought those handwriting books that you use to practice your handwriting in primary school. It had helped me improved the fluidity and legibility of my writing. It surprisingly is also very calming.

Lastly one of the things my teacher recommended me to buy was this thing called a rinG-Pen. When I first looked at it, it’s literally the weirdest pen you will ever see. However, after doing some research it’s supposed to help with the ease of writing and take away the pain (it’s designed for people who suffer arthritis, etc). Now I’m just waiting for it to arrive!

I hope some of my experience may help you in your endeavors to also improve your handwriting!