Test PreparationTest Preparation

PSY 1730PSY 1730

Key ConceptsKey Concepts

When do you start studying for a test?When do you start studying for a test?

Why doesn’t the way you studied in High Why doesn’t the way you studied in High School work in College?School work in College?

What role does memory play in test What role does memory play in test preparation?preparation?

How does memory work?How does memory work?

What are Advance Organizers?What are Advance Organizers?

When do you start studying for When do you start studying for a test?a test?

The FIRST day of class!The FIRST day of class!

You are responsible for material You are responsible for material covered in (unless otherwise covered in (unless otherwise instructed):instructed): LecturesLectures TextText HomeworkHomework Labs and Field TripsLabs and Field Trips Outside Readings Outside Readings

The Six-Hour DThe Six-Hour D

I studied six hours and still got a D!

*%!*#@!!

Why doesn’t the way you studied Why doesn’t the way you studied in High School work in college?in High School work in college?

More material is covered in college More material is covered in college classes, usually in a shorter length of time.classes, usually in a shorter length of time.

The content is more complex.The content is more complex.

You will be expected to You will be expected to understand, understand, synthesize, apply, analyze, and evaluatesynthesize, apply, analyze, and evaluate information – not just memorize it.information – not just memorize it.

Over-learnOver-learn material to avoid “brain-freeze” material to avoid “brain-freeze” (takes time and repetition).(takes time and repetition).

Memory and Your BrainMemory and Your Brain

The brain:Has a natural learning process.

Has an innate sense of logic.

Is a pattern seeker.

Is a problem solver.

Is imaginative and creative (can see in new ways).

Is motivated to learn.

(Smilkstien, 2000)

Pattern Seeker Pattern Seeker

Imaginative and CreativeImaginative and Creative

Bloom’s Taxonomy: Bloom’s Taxonomy: Six Thinking LevelsSix Thinking Levels

Knowledge

(requires memorization or recognition only)

Comprehension

Application

Analysis

Synthesis

Evaluation

Blooms DefinedBlooms Defined

Knowledge-levelKnowledge-level = = recognize or recognize or memorizememorize

Comprehension-levelComprehension-level = = understandunderstand

Application-levelApplication-level = apply to a new = apply to a new situationsituation

Analysis-levelAnalysis-level = break into parts = break into parts Synthesis-levelSynthesis-level = bring into a = bring into a

single unitsingle unit Evaluation-levelEvaluation-level = judge = judge

worth/valueworth/value(uses Analysis and Synthesis)(uses Analysis and Synthesis)

Your Brain Needs You to Your Brain Needs You to Organize Information!Organize Information!

Advance PlannersAdvance Planners Comparison ChartsComparison Charts Process DiagramsProcess Diagrams Concept MapsConcept Maps OutlinesOutlines Time LinesTime Lines

WebCT Assignment Web Site for Test WebCT Assignment Web Site for Test Preparation:Preparation:

http://www.usu.edu/arc/study_guide/creating.htmhttp://www.usu.edu/arc/study_guide/creating.htm

Comparison ChartsComparison Charts

Process DiagramProcess Diagram

Concept MapsConcept Maps

Branching DiagramBranching Diagram

Informal OutlineInformal Outline

1. 1. Dynamic (also called psychoanalytic)Dynamic (also called psychoanalytic)

CharacteristicsCharacteristics Person continually in conflict; opposing forces Person continually in conflict; opposing forces Source of forces = psychic apparatus Source of forces = psychic apparatus

Psychic apparatusPsychic apparatus IdId: instinctual drives possessed at birth such as hunger, thirst: instinctual drives possessed at birth such as hunger, thirst

sex and aggression most important drives (per Freud) sex and aggression most important drives (per Freud) EgoEgo: reconciles demands of id with "real" world : reconciles demands of id with "real" world

moderates and guides basic instincts in line with society's moderates and guides basic instincts in line with society's normsnormsprovides capacity for delayed gratification provides capacity for delayed gratification

SuperegoSuperego: conscience ("internalized parent") : conscience ("internalized parent") shaped by social forces such as school, church, close shaped by social forces such as school, church, close acquaintances acquaintances

2. 2. HumanisticHumanistic 3. 3. Social learningSocial learning

Time LinesTime Lines

Time Lines (continued)Time Lines (continued)

Group ActivityGroup Activity

Five GroupsFive Groups Each create an assigned advanced Each create an assigned advanced

organizerorganizer

1.1. Comparison ChartComparison Chart

2.2. Process DiagramProcess Diagram

3.3. Concept MapConcept Map

4.4. OutlineOutline

5.5. Time LineTime Line Draw on TransparencyDraw on Transparency Share with ClassShare with Class

ReviewReview

You will do better on college exams You will do better on college exams if you:if you: Study over several daysStudy over several days Study in small time chunks – 50 Study in small time chunks – 50

min., 10 min breakmin., 10 min break Study when you have peak energyStudy when you have peak energy Use Advanced OrganizersUse Advanced Organizers Remember your brain was “Born Remember your brain was “Born

to Learn!”to Learn!”