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“Taking Tests”

STUDY SKILLS Session 5

“Study is nothing else but a possession of the mind.”

~Thomas Hobbes

“I will study and get ready, and perhaps my chance will come.”

 ~Abraham Lincoln

*Test-taking strategies will only enhance your ability to demonstrate your knowledge. The best way to improve your test grades is with good time

management and study habits. *

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Prior to Exam • Review frequently.• Keep up with readings.• Use memory techniques.• Use as many senses as you can to be an

active learner.• Make outlines or other visual aids.

• _____________________________

• _____________________________

Day of Exam • Eat a protein rich meal.• Use the bathroom immediately before the

exam. • Give yourself enough time to get there

without being rushed.• Look over notes, but don’t try to reread

the book. • Avoid people in panic mode or those who

don’t seem to care. • _____________________________

During the Exam• Use a watch.• Make sure you have all materials (like

scantrons). • Reduce distractions.• Avoid panicking because others aren’t at

the same place you are.

• ____________________________

• ____________________________

After the Exam • Be in class.• Look over the test, and figure out where

you went wrong. • Go over the test with the professor. • Make a plan for what to do differently.

• _____________________________

• _____________________________

Taking Tests in Online Courses

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All of the strategies previously mentioned work for online courses as well; however, there are a few things to keep in mind that are especially vital to taking tests in an online course.

Before/Day of Exam• Study! Even if you have permission to use

the book/notes, you will likely not have enough time during the exam to do so.

• Double-check the online syllabus for the time when your exam will be posted/opened.

• Decide where you will take your test.• Ensure that you have a back-up plan to

follow should your primary computer malfunction.

During the Exam• Watch the time! • Steer clear of social networking sites or

any other open applications that might distract you from the exam.

After the Exam • Confirm your submission, and write down

any confirmation information you receive.

• Print a copy of your exam. • Check Blackboard/E-college for grades

posted.• Review your exam (if you have access to

it) for areas in which you had difficulty. E-mail your professor for clarification.

1. Prepare the cards well in advance.2. Review frequently for short amounts of time.3. Break the cards into small groups at first, and

learn one group at a time.4. Sort cards by topics or relationships to help

keep the course organization in mind.5. Make the cards into questions that might be on

the exam.6. Shuffle the cards frequently to make sure you

aren’t just learning them in order.

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Using Flash Cards as a Memory Aid

Testtakingtips.com

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Multiple Choice Exam Read instructions carefully. Read the stem first. See if

you can recall the answer before looking at options.

Read ALL options. Focus on details. Make a choice. You can

come back if you’re not sure. Eliminate the answers you

know are wrong. Remember—later questions

can help with details for earlier questions.

Attend to grammar. Notice extreme qualifiers. Avoid spending too much

time on one question. Answer every question. Go with your gut. Why are

you changing your answer? Pay attention when you see

only one or two questions with an “all of the above” answer choice.

Short Answer Exam Ensure that before the

exam you have. . . used flash cards to

study. anticipated questions

that might be asked. Read the question

carefully, and make sure you answer everything asked.

Answer the easy questions first.

Make an outline. Answer every question—

never leave a question blank. If you don’t know the answer to the question, then make it into a question you can answer.

Essay Exam Read instructions carefully. Think. What is the

question asking you? Make an outline, aiming to

use one idea per paragraph.

Write down everything you’re asked for and more; include details when you can.

Check that you’ve given an appropriate answer to the question: Are the facts and/or opinions appropriate? (Use approximations if you’re not sure of exact dates.)

Budget your time. Proofread if there is time. Draw a line through any

mistakes: It is neater and faster than erasing.

PositiveAlways EveryAllBestOnly

ModerateSeldomSometimesUsually Many Most

NegativeNever At no timeWorstNoneIs not

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Know the differences among these common essay-exam verbs/directives: analyze, assess, compare/contrast, criticize, define, discuss, explain, identify, illustrate, justify, list, outline, relate, and review.

Extreme Qualifiers

Math Exams Choose a problem or

question that seems easiest to you, and do it first.

Stay in motion. Show your work. Think partial credit. Keep your work legible. Ask the instructor if you

don’t understand. Avoid panicking. Check your solutions if you

have time at the end. Hand in your paper when

time is called.

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True/False Exams If there is more than one fact

in the statement, check corrections of each part. If one part is false, the item is wrong unless there is a qualifying word such as “usually” or “sometimes.”

Words such as “always” and “never” tend to indicate that the statement is false, especially if you can think of an exception. “Always” and “never” are absolutes; true absolutes are rare.

When the statement is given negatively, state the item without the “no” or “not” and see if it is true or false. If now the statement reads “true,” mark it false.

Matching Exams Find out if each item is used only one

or if some are used more than once. Check off the answers you have used

already. Analyze the choices to see if any

parts of the term or word you know will then allow you to associate it with the right answer.

the most general alternative.

the longest.

the middle value.

probably not one of a pair of similar statements.

probably one of a pair of opposites.

the one that agrees grammatically.

When you have no idea, the best guess is. . .*

*This gives you a place to start—not necessarily the answer.

Works Cited

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• www.TestTakingTips.com

• www.ncsu.edu/felder-public/Papers/testtaking.htm

• http://sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl.html

• “Teaching a Study Skills System that Works” Landmark College