Test Taking Tips

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Test Taking Tips Strategies

• Facilitated by Debbie Brecker

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Test-taking Tips Before the test

• Have a "study" plan, spread studying over several
  days
• Review by yourself or with other students
• Ask instructor what to expect
• Take practice exams
• Use Review tools
• Take care of yourself

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During the test

• Arrive early
• Relax
• Pay attention to verbal and written directions
• Scan the test, ask questions
• Notice how many points each part of the test is
  worth
• Estimate how much time you will need for each
  section
• Jot down memory aids in the margins
• Answer easiest, shortest questions first
• Mark difficult questions and return to them later
• Pace yourself, if stuck--move on
• Take time at the end to check your answers

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After the test

• Reward yourself
• Learn from the exam by searching for a pattern to
  your errors
• See your professor if there are areas in which
  you need to improve

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Mind Map Test-Taking Tips
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Test Taking Strategies

• Essay Questions
• Matching Questions
• True-False Questions
• Short-Answer Questions
• Multiple-Choice Questions

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Essay Questions

• Plan your time
• Read through the entire question
• Pay attention to key words describe, compare
  and contrast
• Develop an outline so you know what to include in
  the answer
• Your opening statement summarizes your essay
• Summarize and conclude your thoughts again in
  your final paragraph
• Take time at the end to reread your answer

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Words to Watch for in Essay Questions

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

• Explain
• Prove
• Relate
• State
• Summarize
• Trace

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Multiple-Choice Questions

• Read the question and answer it before reading
  the choices
• Look for similar answers, it will usually be the
  right answer
• Cross off answers that you know are wrong
• Read all the options before selecting your answer
• If you cannot answer, move on to the next one.
  Another question might trigger the answer
• Make an educated guess if you must
• Answer every question unless there is a penalty
  for guessing

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Matching Questions

• Determine whether there is an equal number of
  items
• Match what you know first
• Cross off information that is already used
• Use the process of elimination for answers you
  might not know

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Short-Answer Questions

• Never assume that the length of the blank has
  anything to do with the length of the answer
• Pay close attention to the word immediately
  preceding the blank if the word is an you know
  the answer starts with a vowel
• Look for key words in the sentence that may
  trigger a response

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True-False Questions

• Remember that if any part of a statement is
  false, the entire statement is false
• Answer every question unless there is a penalty
  for guessing
• Read and pay attention too all words, some might
  trick you (absolute words qualifiers)

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Mind Map Test-Taking Strategies
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Open-Book Tests

• Write formulas you need on separate sheet
• Place Post-It notes or paper clips on important
  pages
• Number your class notes and write a short table
  of contents
• Prepare thoroughly usually most difficult tests.

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The Five Day Study Plan
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Sunday
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Test Anxiety
A little Good A lot Debilitating Feeling
prepared for a test can help.
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Let Go of Test Anxiety

• Yell Stop
• Daydream
• Visualize images of success
• Praise yourself use positive self talk
• Use Physical Relaxation Techniques

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Overcoming AnxietyReplacing Self-Defeating
Beliefs with positive affirmations.

• I dont understand math and I never will.
• I do poorly on math tests so I must not
  understand.
• Math is only for smart people.
• I dont need to know math for my career so why
  bother.

• I can do this I can do the math.
• Ive studied the material Ill do just fine.
• Ive studied, Ive practiced and I feel good
  about my how my math skills are improving.
• I dont let my anxiety limit my choices Ill
  learn the study skills I need to be successful in
  college.

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Overcoming Test AnxietyRelaxation Techniques
Deep Breathing, MuscleRelaxation and
Daydreaming.

• Deep Breathing Controlling your breathing by
  taking several slow, deep inhalations followed by
  exhalations.
• Muscle Relaxation (the tense and relax body scan)
  Scan the body for tension, exaggerate tension
  points and then relax. Start at toes and feet
  and progress through calves, legs, abdomen, arms,
  shoulders, neck and face.
• Daydream pick your favorite vacation spot or
  place that you love. Imagine that youre there,
  visualizing all the details and the accompanying
  feelings.

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Let Go of Test Anxiety

• Focus your attention on a specific object
• Consider catastrophic thinking, the worst
• Tests do not measure your worth
• See a counselor if you need help