answering questions like the assessor's report

[qshyrn]

when i do the vcaa past papers, some of the questions have lines for u to write in and usually i go beyond this and write more detail..  when i read the assesors report their answers are usually very concise 1-2 line answers.
my question is: would it be OK to answer questions like they have ?

e.g something like explain why the bacteria didnt grow(the stem of the q said that the bacteria were sensitive to tetracycline)?  my answer: the bacteria which were sensitive to the tetracycline hadn't taken up the plasmid which wouldve given them resistance against tetracycline and therefore did not grow and reproduce.

VCAA's answer: The bacteria are sensitive to the antibiotic tetracycline and therefore do not grow

[Stojad]

The examiners are not looking for lengthy answers. If you can answer a question (covering the main points for which they are looking) in very few words, do so. They're looking for specific information, not lengthy descriptions. So yes, answer as concisely as possible and only write as much as you feel you need. Most importantly, don't include too much information in your answers. Even if you cover the main points, having extra information that isn't completely correct may cost you the mark, especially if it contradicts your other points.

[qshyrn]

The examiners are not looking for lengthy answers. If you can answer a question (covering the main points for which they are looking) in very few words, do so. They're looking for specific information, not lengthy descriptions. So yes, answer as concisely as possible and only write as much as you feel you need. Most importantly, don't include too much information in your answers. Even if you cover the main points, having extra information that isn't completely correct may cost you the mark, especially if it contradicts your other points.

ok thanks.  my main concern is not that i contradict myself... but that i spend too much time writing unnecessary info (even if correct and sorta relevant) and end up screwed running out of time.

[mtwtfss]

Make sure you use as much powerful terminology as physically possible.
It'll help you to significantly reduce the length of your answers.
Just get to the point, that's all the assessors want to read, they're not paid to sift through a 6 line response searching for the answer when a 3 line answer is sufficient.

[Stojad]

Don't worry about writing long answers. If you spend a lot of time writing answers and you find yourself short of time, try to manage your time better in other areas. Effective use of reading time, skipping over questions you have difficulty answering, and first answering questions that you know how to answer best are some ways of doing this. One problem I find when doing exams is that I try to answer questions in tandem, so I waste time trying to work out the answer to one question and neglect the others until I work it out.

[nerd]

On the other hand, better safe than sorry. You don't want to lose the mark because you didn't give the specific information they were looking for.

[mtwtfss]

On the other hand, better safe than sorry. You don't want to lose the mark because you didn't give the specific information they were looking for.

Yeah if you've got plenty of time show off your superior knowledge, and fully explain your response. Just don't get bogged down repeating yourself in answers, make sure you're clear in explanation the first time you state something.