One of the nichest things that you can sit down to complete as a student is a closed book drama exam. It feels a little counterintuitive to the subject right? So it makes sense if you are feeling a little confused about how to best approach this, you are not alone!
We’ve put together our top five tips to get you started on the study path!
ONE:
Know the elements of drama, and practise naming them!
Exams don’t reward vague comments like “this was effective.” You need to be able to use the elements effectively:
- Tension
- Docus
- Space
- Time
- Mood/Atmosphere
- Character
- Symbol/Meaning
PREP TIP:
Practise writing on sentence per element that:
Names the element -> describes the technique -> explains audience impact
TWO:
Drama exams assess how something was performed, not what happened. When watching your performances, make sure you are identifying;
- 2 key moments for tension
- 2 for focus or space
- 2 for symbolism or mood
PREP TIP:
Rewrite your notes to focus on movement, voice, levels, staging, lighting, not the plot or story.
THREE:
Practise effectiveness judgements
Top-band answers evaluate, not just describe. Get comfortable answering:
- How effective was this use of space?
- Why did this moment succeed (or fall short)?
PREP TIP: Practise adding a judgement sentence:
“This was effective because…”
Or
“While this created tension, its impact was limited by…”
FOUR:
Train for unseen stimulus questions
Unseen questions test whether you actually understand the elements.
When given a stimulus, always ask you questions:
- How could space be manipulated?
- Where would focus be directed?
- How could time be altered?
- What mood should the audience feel?
PREP TIP:
Practise planning reponses using dot points that justify performance choices using element terminology.
FIVE:
Practise writing under time pressure
Knowing drama isn’t enough, you need to communicate clearly and quickly.
Practise:
- Short and sharp explanations (2-4 sentences)
- Structured paragraphs for extended responses
- Writing with correct drama vocabulary
PREP TIP:
Use this simple paragraph formula:
Element -> Technique -> Moment -> Audience Effect -> Judgement
Markers are looking for students who:
- Think like directors and performers
- Use the language of the elements
- Focus on audience impact
- Make clear, justified choices
