Why are there so few multiple choice quizzes at Danish universities? Why are oral exams so common? Why is group work such a valued working method? How much time should I spend on memorizing facts for my exam?
You can probably think of more questions about the working methods and the standards that your exams are expected to meet at Aarhus University. We have tried to explain some of these issues, which are depicted below.
Some students prefer to prepare well in advance, others prefer to feel a little pressure. It's a good idea to start thinking about what you expect from yourself for the exam. Especially expectations about grades can often interfere with the exam period and your preparation process.
Bloom's Taxonomy shows how you should be able to demonstrate that you know and understand a number of theoretical or methodological positions and that you know to apply them and to analyze and evaluate them.
It can help you focus your daily studies and your exam performance, both at oral and written exams. Identifying and distinguishing between the different levels in the exam questions will help you decide how to prioritise them.
The taxonomy places 6 learning objectives in a hierarchical structure that moves from basic to advanced. Generally speaking, if you show that you master the taxonomy’s higher levels you will get you a higher grade. But you cannot skip the lower levels.
Learning objective | How to master the learning objective |
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Remember
| Demonstrating that you have sufficient knowledge of facts, relevant terminology, and basic concepts are ways of showing that you master the learning objective of remembering. You do this by:
Relevant actions could be:
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Understand | In order to show that you master the learning objective of understanding you must demonstrate your understanding of relevant facts and ideas. You do this by:
Relevant actions could be:
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Apply | Demonstrating that you can use your knowledge of facts, methods, and ideas to solve problems in new and different manners are ways of showing that you master the learning objective of applying. You do this by:
Relevant actions could be:
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Analyze | When you master the learning objective of analyzing you are able to examine and break your knowledge into parts and demonstrate that you can distinguish between the different parts. This you do by:
Relevant actions could be:
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Evaluate | Assessing and making judgments through checking and critiquing and justifying your stand or decision are ways of demonstrating that you master the learning objective of evaluating. You do this by:
Relevant actions could be:
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Create | You demonstrate that you master the learning objective of creating when you create something new, a new product or idea or perspective. You do this by:
Relevant actions could be:
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When you take a course or a class at Aarhus University, you are often expected to give an oral presentation of a certain subject at least once during the semester. The aim is to improve the students’ communicational skills and to give them an opportunity to work with the material in a different media than the written text.
6 steps |
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Here is a list of 6 steps that are useful to go through when preparing an oral presentation:
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Oral exams usually involve individual presentations and discussions with their teacher and a co-examiner, but sometimes involve groups of students.
At an oral exam you have to demonstrate that you’re able to organise, structure and communicate academic content orally. You usually start by giving a short presentation about a subject, after which the teacher and sometimes the co-examiner will ask you additional questions, giving you the opportunity to elaborate, rephrase and specify the points you make.
Oral exams have the advantage that you’re able to correct possible misunderstandings or give more elaborate explanations if your teacher or the co-examiner ask. Furthermore, the oral exam provides a situation where you can train useful skills for your working life, such as presentation and communication skills.
Oral exams typically take place at the end of the semester and last 20-30 minutes, including evaluation time and feedback. At the end of the oral exam, your teacher will ask you to leave the room while they evaluate your performance for a few minutes. Then they will call you in again to receive your grade and feedback on your performance.
Be sure to show up well in advance for an oral exam (for instance, 30-60 min.). It is your own responsibility to be present when called in for the exam, and if fellow students decide not to show up for the exam, you will be called in earlier.
Typical Oral Exams |
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The assessment is based on your oral answer to the question/topic you draw.
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Combined Oral and Written Exams |
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The assessment is based on both your written and oral performance.
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If you’re concerned about being nervous, it might help to know that both your teacher and the co-examiner are interested in helping you demonstrate your knowledge, skills and competences to the best of your ability - not in focusing on what you don’t know. They will strive to give you a good experience by being as informal as possible and putting you at ease. Read more about handling exam nerves and fear of exams here.
Also, you should be aware that oral exams are actually open to the public, which means that you have the opportunity to see an oral exam before your own - remember to ask for permission before attending another student’s oral exam.
It will help you to know what might be expected from your individual presentation and the following discussion with your teacher and the co-examiner. The videos below show oral exam presentations given a low, medium and high grade. They also give you detailed explanations of why the specific grade was given.
In written exams you are expected to demonstrate your academic knowledge, skills and competences as defined by the intended course learning outcomes at all taxonomic levels. Sometimes you can choose to work either individually or in groups.
Types of written exams |
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Studentwelfare.au.dk is a portal by Aarhus University which brings together all the services which are available if you are not enjoying student life. Find counsellors' contact details and learn how to overcome study-related stress, among other things.
Aarhus University's website for international students contains essential information about studies at Aarhus University, admission to the university, housing in Aarhus etc.
Welcome to Aarhus. Use your next break from studying to discover the city of Aarhus and its university's campus by watching this prize-winning video made by exchange students.
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