What are some techniques I can employ within the exam setting, to answer English Language close reading questions?

Some personal tips I would give to a student during this setting, revolve around 1, good time management, and 2, having three different coloured highlighters, or pens. In terms of time management, I would always advise to bring a watch, which you can place in front of you in the exam. I would also encourage students to become familiar with the weight of each of the questions, in each section of your exam paper. From this, we can find a way to give an appropriate amount of time to each question.Secondly, with regards to my three highlighter rule, I found it extremely helpful to bring three highlights, one for each of the close reading text questions (questions 1 to 6 in the English Language Paper). Highlighting has been scientifically proven by numerous studies to help us focus on certain points instead of getting distracted by the general text. Not only does this help to narrow your focus on the particular text and the three questions which are asking you to explicitly quote the answer word-for-word, but this is also quite reassuring for yourself to be able to secure the marks for these questions. In terms of the Literature paper, highlighters also help perhaps in drawing comparisons with the extract at hand, which you can quote alongside other parts of the novel in question. Likewise with the poetry sections of the exam paper, highlighting will also make it easier to refer to the aspects you are analysing for your essay.