Revising for exams

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• 1. Generate the same types of questions you’ll be asked in the exam

  Obviously, this requires you to know what types of questions you’re going to be asked (e.g. multiple choice, short answer, essay-style responses), so if you’re not sure, ask your teacher. Also, you’ll need to know if the answers you give are correct, which may require checking your notes, lecture materials or textbook.

  Example Prompt:
  Write ten multiple choice questions on the following topics relating to cell biology and genetics:

  • Modeling of Biochemical Systems
  • Structural Modeling and Analysis of Biochemical Networks
  • Kinetic Models of Biochemical Networks
  • Gene Expression Models

  Part of Copilot's responses (02/01/2025)
  1. Which of the following is a primary goal of modeling biochemical systems?
  A) To predict the behavior of biological systems B) To create new biochemical reactions C) To eliminate the need for laboratory experiments D) To increase the complexity of biological networks
  2. What is the primary purpose of structural modeling in biochemical networks?
  A) To determine the physical structure of molecules B) To understand the interactions and relationships between different biochemical entities C) To measure the kinetic rates of reactions D) To sequence DNA

  .......

• 2. Use it to give feedback on your answer

  Especially if the question requires a longer response, it can be useful to enter the question and your response, then ask for feedback on how effectively you’ve responded. As always, you should also seek other sources of feedback to confirm the accuracy of your answers, such as your own notes, textbooks, or classmates.

  Example Prompt:

  I want you to act as an expert on macroeconomics. I'm going to write a response to a practice exam question relating to macroeconomics, and I want you to give feedback on my answer. Specifically, I want you to tell me if the information I provide is correct, and whether there's any additional information I should add.

  (The example question was then entered, along with a response to that question).

  Part of Copilot's Response (02/01/2025):
  Your response captures a basic idea of GDP, but it could be more precise and detailed. Here's some feedback and suggestions for improvement:
  ....... Implications of High and Low GDP: Your response: "If the GDP is high, it means the country is doing well and people have a lot of money. If it's low, then the country is not doing so great." Improved explanation: "A high GDP typically indicates a strong economy with high levels of production and consumption, which can lead to better living standards and more employment opportunities. Conversely, a low GDP may suggest economic challenges, such as lower production, higher unemployment, and potentially lower living standards." Here's a revised version of your response incorporating these improvements: ....... Revised Response: "Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a specific period, usually a year. GDP is important because...

• 3. Generate examples of how to apply theories, concepts or formulae to different situations and contexts

  Exams at UTS are likely to require higher order thinking skills such as critical analysis, evaluation and applying knowledge to specific contexts. The best way to learn how to do these things is regular practice with feedback, but it can also be useful to get additional ideas or examples to help you better understand how a concept can be applied.

  Example Prompt:

  Give me 5 examples of how the concept of opportunity cost could be applied to the life of an Australian university student.

  Part of Copilot's response (02/01/2025):
  Here are five examples of how the concept of opportunity cost can be applied to the life of an Australian university student:
  Here are five examples of how opportunity cost might apply to an Australian university student: Choosing to Study vs. Working Part-Time: If a student decides to spend extra hours studying for exams instead of working a part-time job, the opportunity cost is the income they could have earned during that time. Attending University vs. Entering the Workforce: By choosing to attend university, the student foregoes the potential earnings and work experience they could have gained by entering the workforce immediately after high school. .......

• 4. Explain difficult concepts in simple language

  This can be done in different ways. For example, you could ask the tool to explain a concept in language that a junior high school student could understand. Or you could ask it to give some analogies, examples or even a diagram to help you better understand a concept.

  Example Prompt:

  Give me 3 different analogies to help me understand Einstein's theory of relativity.

  Part of Copilot's Response (02/01/2025):

  Here are three analogies to help you grasp Einstein's theory of relativity: The Train and the Lightning Bolts: Imagine you're standing on a train platform and you see two lightning bolts strike at the same time, one at the front of the train and one at the back. To you, they appear simultaneous. However, if someone is on the moving train... The Rubber Sheet: Picture a large, stretched rubber sheet. If you place a heavy ball in the center, it creates a dip or curvature in the sheet. Now, if you roll a smaller ball across the sheet, it will follow a curved path around the dip created by the heavy ball... The Twin Paradox: Imagine you have a twin. One of you stays on Earth while the other travels into space at near the speed of light. When the traveling twin returns, they find that the twin who stayed on Earth has aged much more. This happens because...