Test Taking

Test TakingTest Taking

Strategies for Test PreparationStrategies for Test Preparation

What doesn’t work in What doesn’t work in preparing for tests?preparing for tests?

What has not worked well in the past?What has not worked well in the past? Think about it.Think about it. Share your ideas with the person next Share your ideas with the person next

to you.to you. Share with the class some of these Share with the class some of these

ideas. ideas.

Preparation for exams begins Preparation for exams begins the first day of class.the first day of class.

Preparation for exams begins Preparation for exams begins the first day of class.the first day of class.

Attend classAttend class Read the chapters. Use SQ4R.Read the chapters. Use SQ4R. Take notes and review themTake notes and review them Review periodically. Review periodically.

Manage Your TimeManage Your Time

Schedule reading and review time.Schedule reading and review time. Break it into small parts.Break it into small parts. Use distributed practice.Use distributed practice. Get started. Avoid procrastination.Get started. Avoid procrastination.

Find a Time and Place Find a Time and Place to Study to Study

Test Review ToolsTest Review Tools

Summary SheetsSummary Sheets

Mind Maps Mind Maps

Study GroupsStudy Groups

How to Review EffectivelyHow to Review Effectively

ImmediateImmediate Review Review IntermediateIntermediate Review Review FinalFinal Review Review

October

How to Predict the Test How to Predict the Test QuestionsQuestions

Ask About the TestAsk About the Test

What does it cover?What does it cover? What types of questions?What types of questions?

True-falseTrue-false Multiple choiceMultiple choice EssayEssay

Predict Text QuestionsPredict Text Questions

Turn bold headings into questions. Turn bold headings into questions. Practice answering the questions.Practice answering the questions. If you are in a study group, assign each If you are in a study group, assign each

member to come up with practice member to come up with practice questions to share with the group. questions to share with the group.

Use the first test as a guide on Use the first test as a guide on what to study on the next test.what to study on the next test.

Avoid Cramming!Avoid Cramming!

Disadvantages of CrammingDisadvantages of Cramming

Test anxietyTest anxiety Poor use of mental abilityPoor use of mental ability Performance suffersPerformance suffers You learn to dislike educationYou learn to dislike education It is not funIt is not fun

Emergency ProceduresEmergency ProceduresCrammingCramming

Be selectiveBe selective Review and recite lecture notes firstReview and recite lecture notes first Skim and search each chapterSkim and search each chapter Prepare summary sheets with key pointsPrepare summary sheets with key points Get enough restGet enough rest Hope for the bestHope for the best Prepare in advance next time!Prepare in advance next time!

The Magical Seven The Magical Seven Emergency ProcedureEmergency Procedure Start with 7 sheets of paperStart with 7 sheets of paper Write a key concept likely to be on the Write a key concept likely to be on the

test at the top of each sheettest at the top of each sheet Check your notes and text to write a Check your notes and text to write a

definition, explanation or answer for definition, explanation or answer for each key topiceach key topic

Review and recite from the 7 sheets. Review and recite from the 7 sheets.

Dealing With Test AnxietyDealing With Test Anxiety

What Techniques Work for You?

Some anxiety is a good thing. Some anxiety is a good thing. It motivates you to study.It motivates you to study.

Grades just indicate how much or Grades just indicate how much or how well you studied for the test.how well you studied for the test.

Be Successful by:Be Successful by: Practicing relaxation techniquesPracticing relaxation techniques Being well-preparedBeing well-prepared

Relaxation TechniquesRelaxation Techniques

Do Some Physical ExerciseDo Some Physical Exercise

Exercise helps you to feel relaxed and Exercise helps you to feel relaxed and energizedenergized

Get a Good Night’s SleepGet a Good Night’s Sleep

Lack of sleep interferes with memoryLack of sleep interferes with memory It may also make you tired and irritableIt may also make you tired and irritable

Take a Few Deep BreathsTake a Few Deep Breaths

Focus on your breathing to get your Focus on your breathing to get your mind off the testmind off the test

Visualize Your SuccessVisualize Your Success

While studying, picture yourself in the While studying, picture yourself in the classroom doing well on the testclassroom doing well on the test

Admit to Yourself that You are Admit to Yourself that You are AnxiousAnxious

You can’t fight it.You can’t fight it. You can’t deny it either.You can’t deny it either.

Acknowledge your anxiety. Acknowledge your anxiety. Then focus on the testThen focus on the test

Do the Easy Questions FirstDo the Easy Questions First

This will help you relaxThis will help you relax When you are relaxed, your brain works When you are relaxed, your brain works

better.better. You may find the answers on the test or You may find the answers on the test or

something that triggers your memory so something that triggers your memory so that you can answer the question.that you can answer the question.

Yell “Stop”Yell “Stop”

Interrupt your train of thought so you Interrupt your train of thought so you can get back to the test rather than can get back to the test rather than focusing on your anxiety.focusing on your anxiety.

DaydreamDaydream

Daydreaming may Daydreaming may help you to relax and help you to relax and come back to the test come back to the test with a fresh attitudewith a fresh attitude

Practice PerspectivePractice Perspective

It is just a grade.It is just a grade. It is not the end of the world.It is not the end of the world. It does not define who you are. It does not define who you are. Think about how you can improve your Think about how you can improve your

performance next time. performance next time.

Think PositivelyThink Positively

You may have a picture of failure in You may have a picture of failure in your mind as a result of past your mind as a result of past experience.experience.

Notice your mental pictures about math.Notice your mental pictures about math. Make a new mental picture of success if Make a new mental picture of success if

necessary. necessary. The future can be different.The future can be different.

Does anyone have math Does anyone have math anxiety?anxiety?

Start at the BeginningStart at the Beginning Start at your skill level.Start at your skill level. You may need to review if you have You may need to review if you have

been out of school for awhile.been out of school for awhile.

Don’t Delay Taking MathDon’t Delay Taking Math

You need math to graduate.You need math to graduate. You need math to transfer.You need math to transfer. You may need several math courses.You may need several math courses. Many good paying jobs require math.Many good paying jobs require math.

Think Positively About Your Think Positively About Your Ability to Succeed in MathAbility to Succeed in Math

Get Help EarlyGet Help Early

Get tutoring if you get stuck. Get tutoring if you get stuck. Don’t wait!Don’t wait!

Don’t Miss Math ClassesDon’t Miss Math Classes

It is difficult or impossible to catch up if It is difficult or impossible to catch up if you miss your math classes.you miss your math classes.

Do Your Homework RegularlyDo Your Homework Regularly

Practice until you feel confident.Practice until you feel confident. You cannot cram for a math test.You cannot cram for a math test.

Use a Study GroupUse a Study Group

Other students can help you to Other students can help you to understand. understand.

You can help others and increase your You can help others and increase your skill.skill.

The study group can become a support The study group can become a support group as well. group as well.

Math Success FormulaMath Success Formula

Hard Work Experience

Confidence Satisfaction

Success in Math

Rules for Success on Any Rules for Success on Any ExamExam

Wake Up On TimeWake Up On Time

Eat a Light, Nutritious Eat a Light, Nutritious BreakfastBreakfast

Bring the Proper MaterialsBring the Proper Materials

ScantronsScantrons Pencil, penPencil, pen PaperPaper CalculatorCalculator

Arrive EarlyArrive Early

Think Positively About the Think Positively About the ExamExam

Read the DirectionsRead the Directions

Survey the Test Before You Survey the Test Before You StartStart

Plan Your TimePlan Your Time

Make Your Test Neat and Make Your Test Neat and LegibleLegible

Answer the Easy Questions Answer the Easy Questions FirstFirst This helps you to relax.This helps you to relax. It builds your self-confidence too. It builds your self-confidence too.

Be Careful Not to Give Any Be Careful Not to Give Any Impression You are CheatingImpression You are Cheating

Group Exercise: Group Exercise: Using a Study GroupUsing a Study Group

Test Taking TechniquesTest Taking Techniques

Part IIPart II

Meet the DecoyMeet the Decoy

The Best Way to Prepare:The Best Way to Prepare:

Study the key ideas Study the key ideas TextbookTextbook Lecture notesLecture notes Class handoutsClass handouts

Test Taking TechniquesTest Taking Techniques

Or how to guess if you need to

Or how to answer correctly after you have studied

How Does An Instructor Write How Does An Instructor Write a True False Question?a True False Question?

1. Find an important point2. Write as is for true3. Change or add a qualifier to make it false

100% Qualifiers Make a 100% Qualifiers Make a Statement False. Why?Statement False. Why?

NO

NEVER

NONE

EVERY

ALWAYS

ALL

ONLY

ENTIRELY

INVARIABLY

These qualifiers are found in These qualifiers are found in true statements. Why?true statements. Why?

SELDOM

SOMETIMES

OFTEN

USUALLY

FREQUENTLY

MOST FEW

MANY SOME

GENERALLY

Tricky QuestionsTricky Questions

If any part of a true false statement isfalse, the whole statement is false.

Good relaxation techniques include deep breathing, exercise and visualizing your failure on the exam.

Tricky QuestionsTricky QuestionsSome tricky (usually false) statementsare composed of two sub statementswhich are true and connected with a conjunction such as: THEREFORE CONSEQUENTLY AS A RESULT

ExampleExampleMartha does not have test anxiety, and as a result makes good grades on tests.

The second sub statement does not follow logically from the first statement.

Martha does not have test anxiety, and as a result makes good grades on tests.

This statement is false because she also has to prepare for the exam. Nothaving test anxiety can even causeher to lack motivation to study.

Tricky QuestionsTricky QuestionsBeware of double negatives.

No + No = Yes

Being prepared for the test is the bestway to earn good grades.

Not being unprepared for the test is the best way to earn good grades.


If you have to guess, guess TRUE. Most exams have more true questions.Why?

How To Take True-False How To Take True-False TestsTests

The Multiple Choice QuestionThe Multiple Choice Question

Begin With a True or False Begin With a True or False QuestionQuestion

Remember that multiple choice questionsare 4 true or false questions in a column.

How does the instructor write How does the instructor write a multiple choice question?a multiple choice question?

Meet the DecoyMeet the Decoy

1. Look for an important point.

2. Make a stem.

3. Write the correct answer.

4. Think or 3 or 4 decoys.

EXAMPLEEXAMPLE

Stem: In SQ4R, The 4R’S stand for: 1. Decoy

* 2. Read. Recite, review, reflect

3. Decoy

4. Decoy

Decoys are false statements.Decoys are false statements.

Read all options. Determine whichstatements are false and which are true. Choose the BEST answer.


1. Watch for negatives and 100% qualifiers2. Foolish options are generally incorrect.

ExampleExample

The Cornell Format is:

A. A system for taking notes

B. A type of floor mat

Tricky QuestionsTricky QuestionsAll of the above is usually correct.

Answers in the middle range aremore likely to be correct.

Tricky QuestionsTricky QuestionsNumbers in the middle range are usually correct.

The Great Pyramid is ___ft. high.A. 281B. 381C. 481D. 981

Tricky QuestionsTricky QuestionsNumbers in the middle range are usually correct.

The Great Pyramid is ___ft. high.A. 281 (low)B. 381 (middle)C. 481 (middle) (Correct answer)D. 981 (high)

Who wants to be a millionaire?Who wants to be a millionaire?

$4000 Question: How many $4000 Question: How many atoms of hydrogen are in a atoms of hydrogen are in a molecule of water?molecule of water?

A. 1A. 1 C. 2C. 2B. 4B. 4 D. 6D. 6

$4000 Question: How many $4000 Question: How many atoms of hydrogen are in a atoms of hydrogen are in a molecule of water?molecule of water?

A. 1A. 1 C. 2 (correct)C. 2 (correct)B. 4B. 4 D. 6 D. 6

Tricky QuestionsTricky QuestionsIn look alike options, usually one is correct and the other is a decoy.

The functional unit of the kidney is the:A. PelvisB. Nephron C. NeuronD. Medulla

Tricky QuestionsTricky QuestionsIn look alike options, usually one is correct and the other is a decoy.

The functional unit of the kidney is the:A. PelvisB. Nephron (look alike) (Correct)C. Neuron (look alike) D. Medulla

Who wants to be a millionaire?Who wants to be a millionaire?

$32,000 Question:$32,000 Question:What president was known as What president was known as the Great Communicator?the Great Communicator?

A. ReaganA. Reagan C. JohnsonC. JohnsonB. RooseveltB. Roosevelt D. KennedyD. Kennedy

Which answers look alike?Which answers look alike?

Reagan and Roosevelt look Reagan and Roosevelt look alike. Reagan is the correct alike. Reagan is the correct answer.answer.


Choose the option that is grammaticallycorrect.

Note: Plurals a/an

Tricky QuestionsTricky QuestionsIf you don’t know the answer, SKIP IT.You may find the answer or somethingthat triggers your memory in the restof the test. Circle the ones you do notknow and come back to them later.


Choose the best or most completealternative.

When alternatives seemequally good, select the longest one.

Why?

Tricky QuestionsTricky QuestionsWhenever two of the options are opposites, one is always wrong and the other is often,but not always, right.

A decoy is a:

A. Right answerB. Wrong answerC. General qualifierD. A true statement

Tricky QuestionsTricky QuestionsWhenever two of the options are opposites, one is always wrong and the other is often,but not always, right.

A decoy is a:

A. Right answerB. Wrong answerC. General qualifierD. A true statement

Ready for the “Guess” test?Ready for the “Guess” test?

Tips for Matching ExamsTips for Matching Exams

Read through both lists to discover Read through both lists to discover patterns and relationships. patterns and relationships.

Count the items on each list. Are they Count the items on each list. Are they equal?equal?

First match the items you know for First match the items you know for certaincertain

Guess at the end, if you need to. Guess at the end, if you need to.

Tips for Sentence Completion Tips for Sentence Completion ExamsExams

Review facts such as definitions, Review facts such as definitions, names, places and datesnames, places and dates

Use clues in the sentence to find an Use clues in the sentence to find an answer that makes sense in the answer that makes sense in the sentence and fits the grammar of the sentence and fits the grammar of the sentence. sentence.

Essay ExamsEssay Exams

The question should be The question should be answered directly in the first answered directly in the first statement. Repeating part of statement. Repeating part of the question is a good way to the question is a good way to stay on track.stay on track.

TipsTips

Manage your time so that you complete Manage your time so that you complete all the questions needed.all the questions needed.

Read the directions.Read the directions. Make sure you understand the question.Make sure you understand the question. Jot down memory aids.Jot down memory aids. Use good writing, grammar and spelling.Use good writing, grammar and spelling. Write neatly!Write neatly!

TipsTips

Never leave a question blank. Write Never leave a question blank. Write down what you know. You may get down what you know. You may get partial credit. partial credit.

Words to watch for in essay Words to watch for in essay questionsquestions


analyzeanalyze

comparecompare

outlineoutline

illustrateillustrate

describedescribe

tracetrace

enumerateenumerate

explainexplain

demonstrate


contrastcontrast

comparecompare

discussdiscuss

definedefine

justifyjustify

evaluateevaluate

diagramdiagram

summarizesummarize

relate

Let’s try a short essay on test Let’s try a short essay on test preparation.preparation.

Let’s Warm Up for the Essay:Let’s Warm Up for the Essay:How to Prepare for ExamsHow to Prepare for Exams IntellectuallyIntellectually EmotionallyEmotionally PhysicallyPhysically

Exercise:Exercise:Practice with Short EssaysPractice with Short Essays

Machine-graded testsMachine-graded tests The answer you mark The answer you mark

must correspond to must correspond to the questionthe question

Do not make stray marks Do not make stray marks on the answer sheeton the answer sheet

Open-book testsOpen-book tests

Write down formulasWrite down formulas Place post-it notes or paper clips on Place post-it notes or paper clips on

important pagesimportant pages Number your class notes and write a Number your class notes and write a

short table of contentsshort table of contents

Math TestsMath Tests

Check your workCheck your work Do the first step againDo the first step again Estimate your answerEstimate your answer Is the solution logical and does it make Is the solution logical and does it make

sense?sense?

When tests are returned:When tests are returned:

Use them as feedback for future studyUse them as feedback for future study Do you need to improve your study Do you need to improve your study

techniques?techniques?

Keys To Success:Keys To Success:Be PreparedBe Prepared

SuccessSuccess

Begins with a vision of the futureBegins with a vision of the future Becomes reality through hard work and Becomes reality through hard work and

preparationpreparation

I’m a great believer in luck,I’m a great believer in luck,and I find the harder I work, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.the more I have of it.

Thomas Jefferson

Remember, Remember, good test preparation begins good test preparation begins the first day of class.the first day of class.

Good Preparation is the Key Good Preparation is the Key to Success in Many Areas of to Success in Many Areas of LifeLife TestsTests Making a business planMaking a business plan Going on vacationGoing on vacation Having a weddingHaving a wedding Building a houseBuilding a house

Exercises:Exercises:Test Taking ChecklistTest Taking Checklist

Analyze Your Test Taking Analyze Your Test Taking SkillsSkills

Documents

Test Taking