preparing for and taking tests dual enrollment psychology introductory unit
TRANSCRIPT
Preparing for and Preparing for and Taking TESTSTaking TESTS
Dual Enrollment PsychologyDual Enrollment Psychology
Introductory UnitIntroductory Unit
PreparationPreparation
2 important questions:2 important questions:
– What What topicstopics will be covered on the test? will be covered on the test?
– What is the What is the formatformat of the test? of the test?
When to StudyWhen to Study
Start early by reviewing notes Start early by reviewing notes periodicallyperiodically
Manage your time wisely & Develop a Manage your time wisely & Develop a planplan
If cramming works…do it!If cramming works…do it!– Studying in the minutes before the testStudying in the minutes before the test
PROS and CONSPROS and CONS
Definition of “Studying”Definition of “Studying”
NOT just memorizingNOT just memorizing NOT just restating informationNOT just restating information
Understanding connections between Understanding connections between ideasideas
Applying the theories/ideasApplying the theories/ideas
– Higher levels on Bloom’s TaxonomyHigher levels on Bloom’s Taxonomy
Practice Makes Perfect!Practice Makes Perfect!
Practice the types of questions you Practice the types of questions you will see on the testwill see on the test
– Locate sample tests/questionsLocate sample tests/questions– Make up your own questionsMake up your own questions
What is most likely to be asked???What is most likely to be asked???
Materials NeededMaterials Needed
NOTES!!!NOTES!!! FlashcardsFlashcards Worksheets/HandoutsWorksheets/Handouts Review/Study Guide (provided by Review/Study Guide (provided by
instructor)instructor) Online tests/evaluationsOnline tests/evaluations Review questions in TextbookReview questions in Textbook Publisher’s study guidePublisher’s study guide
Materials NeededMaterials Needed
TextbookTextbook
– Referencing the textbook...Referencing the textbook...
vs.vs.
– Rereading the textbook…Rereading the textbook…
On Exam Day…On Exam Day…
SleepSleep
Food/DrinkFood/Drink
Managing emotions/anxiety…Managing emotions/anxiety…– Test AnxietyTest Anxiety
Approaching the TestApproaching the Test Read the directions!Read the directions!
Look over test and develop a strategyLook over test and develop a strategy– Which section should I do first?Which section should I do first?– How much time will I spend on each question How much time will I spend on each question
or section of the test?or section of the test? How much time am I allotted for the test?How much time am I allotted for the test?
““Memory Release”Memory Release”– Is it okay to write on the test?Is it okay to write on the test?– List ideas, definitions, lists, etc. and then come List ideas, definitions, lists, etc. and then come
back to themback to them
DETER StrategyDETER Strategy
DDirectionsirections– Read them!Read them!
EExaminexamine– Look over entire testLook over entire test
TTimeime– Allot time accordinglyAllot time accordingly
EEasiestasiest– Do the easiest firstDo the easiest first
RRevieweview
Multiple Choice QuestionsMultiple Choice Questions
Turn ‘recognition’ questions into Turn ‘recognition’ questions into ‘recall’ question (cover choices)‘recall’ question (cover choices)
Mark the testMark the test– Cross out incorrect choicesCross out incorrect choices– Write notesWrite notes– Underline key wordsUnderline key words– Circle questions that you want to return toCircle questions that you want to return to
Look for questions that answer other Look for questions that answer other questionsquestions
Multiple Choice QuestionsMultiple Choice Questions
Read the question carefullyRead the question carefully– One word can make all the differenceOne word can make all the difference– Rephrase it in your own wordsRephrase it in your own words
Eliminate choicesEliminate choices
Watch for complex choicesWatch for complex choices– ““A and B only”…”None of the above”…etc.A and B only”…”None of the above”…etc.
Essay QuestionsEssay Questions
Read the question carefullyRead the question carefully– Be sure you know what it’s asking forBe sure you know what it’s asking for– Expected length…?Expected length…?
Create a rough outline that covers all Create a rough outline that covers all points requiredpoints required– Prevents “going off on a tangent”Prevents “going off on a tangent”– Keeps thoughts organizedKeeps thoughts organized– Use the outline to compose your Use the outline to compose your
response…response…
Essay QuestionsEssay Questions
Look for key words in the Look for key words in the question/promptquestion/prompt– Compare/Contrast…Compare/Contrast…– Cite examples…Cite examples…– Evaluate…Evaluate…
Use Use terminologyterminology from the course from the course ORGANIZATIONORGANIZATION
– Topic & concluding sentencesTopic & concluding sentences– Introductory & concluding paragraphsIntroductory & concluding paragraphs
Essay QuestionsEssay Questions
Make it look polished!Make it look polished!– Neatly writtenNeatly written– Spelling & GrammarSpelling & Grammar
Proofread!Proofread! Read it one last time to make sure:Read it one last time to make sure:
– You’ve answered the questionYou’ve answered the question– Your answer makes senseYour answer makes sense
Don’t make any assumptions…Don’t make any assumptions…– Say it; don’t assume the reader knows itSay it; don’t assume the reader knows it
A few last tipsA few last tips
Don’t be afraid to ask questionsDon’t be afraid to ask questions– There might be a mistake on the testThere might be a mistake on the test– Clarify vs. Having points deductedClarify vs. Having points deducted
Don’t read into the question…answer Don’t read into the question…answer it just as it is askedit just as it is asked– If it looks easy, it probably is!If it looks easy, it probably is!
Bonus Questions…TRY THEM!Bonus Questions…TRY THEM!
Before Submitting the TestBefore Submitting the Test
Look over the testLook over the test– Did you answer all the questions?Did you answer all the questions?
Count responsesCount responses Don’t leave any blank…take a guess or give it Don’t leave any blank…take a guess or give it
your best shot!your best shot!
– Is your writing legible?Is your writing legible?– Did you follow directions?Did you follow directions?
– Is it necessary to review each question?Is it necessary to review each question? Changing correct responses to incorrect Changing correct responses to incorrect
ones…ones… ““Go with your gut” vs. “Overanalyze”Go with your gut” vs. “Overanalyze”
Final Thoughts…Final Thoughts…
Let it go…Let it go…– You can’t change it now!You can’t change it now!
Ask when you will receive feedbackAsk when you will receive feedback
When you get it back…When you get it back…– Determine any patterns in your mistakesDetermine any patterns in your mistakes– LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES!!!LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES!!!– Remember….the first exam is a learning Remember….the first exam is a learning
experience!experience!