Test Taking Strategies

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Test Taking Strategies

• June Harper, BEd., MEd., Counsellor
• Assessment Counselling Services
• Holland College
• 2007

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What to do BEFORE the test

• Manage review time
• Daily reviews
• Weekly reviews
• Major reviews

3
Create Review Tools

• Study checklists
• Mind map summary sheets
• Flash cards

4
Plan a strategy

• Do a dry run
• Ask the instructor what to expect
• Get copies of old exams

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As you begin

• Arrive early
• Attention to verbal directions
• Read the directions slowly
• Jot down memory aids

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What to do DURING the test

• Let go of test anxiety
• Answer the easiest, shortest questions first
• Next answer multiple choice, true/false, and
  fill-in-the-blank questions.
• Pace yourself
• Leave plenty of space
• Look for answers in other test questions

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Quick-answer questions

• Multiple choice, true/false
• First instinct is best
• Only change your answer if you think your first
  answer is wrong because you misread the question

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Multiple choice questions

• Check the directions
• Answer each question in your head
• Be sure to read all answers
• Guessing

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True/false questions

• Answer questions quickly
• Read carefully
• Look for qualifiers
• All, most, sometimes, (never), or rarely. (The
  answer will depend on the qualifier, and more
  often than not, questions containing qualifiers
  are true)
• Absolute qualifiers (ALWAYS OR NEVER usually
  false)

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Short-answer/fill-in-the-blank tests

• Concentrate on key words and facts
• Be brief

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Essay questions

• Make a quick outline
• Include part of the question in the answer
• Expand your answer
• Start out with the most solid points

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FINAL POINTS

• Write legibly
• Be brief
• Use a pen
• Write on one side of the page only
• Review answers

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Words to watch out for in essay questions

• Analyze
• Compare
• Contrast
• Criticize
• Define
• Describe
• Discuss
• Enumerate
• Evaluate

• Explain
• Illustrate
• Interpret
• Outline
• Prove
• relate
• State
• Summarize
• Trace

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Words

• Analyze break into separate parts and discuss,
  examine, or interpret each part
• Compare examine two or more things. Identify
  similarities and differences
• Contrast show differences. Set in opposition
• Criticize make judgments. Evaluate comparative
  worth. Criticism often involves analysis

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Words

• Define give the meaning usually short
• Describe give a detailed account. Make a
  picture with words, list characteristics,
  qualities, and parts
• Discuss consider and debate or argue the pros
  and cons of an issue
• Enumerate list several ideas, aspects, events,
  things, qualities, reasons, etc.

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Words

• Evaluate give your opinion or cite the opinion
  of an expert. Include evidence to support the
  evaluation.
• Explain make the idea clear. Show logically
  how a concept is developed. Give the reasons for
  an event.
• Illustrate give concrete examples. Explain
  clearly by using comparisons or examples.

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Words

• Interpret comment upon, give examples, describe
  relationships, explain the meaning, describe,
  then evaluate
• Outline describe main ideas, characteristics,
  or events
• Prove support with facts presented in class or
  from textbook

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Words

• Relate show the connections between ideas or
  events
• State explain precisely
• Summarize give a brief, condensed account.
  Include conclusions. Avoid unnecessary details.
• Trace shoe the order of events or progress of a
  subject or event

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Predict test questions

• Get organized
• Create own code or graphic signal
• Ask instructor to describe the test, how long it
  will be and what kind of questions to expect
  (essay, multiple choice, etc.)
• During lectures watch for test questions
• Listen for instructors clues
• Pay attention to questions the instructor poses
  to students
• Material from reading assignments
• Make practice test questions
• Save all quizzes, essays, lab sheets
• Obtain copies of previous exams
• Brainstorm test questions with other students
• This material will be on the test

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Creating an Exam

• Create a short multiple choice exam
• Share your questions
• Discuss your answers

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F is for feedback not failure

• THANK YOU