study skills combo

• HOW TO TAKE TESTS

Test Taking

Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 2

Problem Solving• Use a diagram to visualize the problem• Reread to highlight the information• Estimate your answer• Word backwards• Watch for careless errors


Essay Exams

• Read all the questions carefully• Plan the amount of time for each question• Answer all the questions• Answer the easiest questions first• Write neatly• Leave space between essays• Pay attention to key words


Key Words

• COMPARE• CONTRAST• CRITICIZE• DEFINE• DESCRIBE• DIAGRAM• DISCUSS• ENUMERATE

List similaritiesStress differencesExpress your judgmentGive concise clear meaningRecount or relate in sequenceGive a drawingAnalyze carefully Write in list or outline form


Key Words

• EVALUATE• EXPLAIN• ILLUSTRATE• INTERPRET• LIST• OUTLINE

Give both pros and consClarify and interpret your

answer Use a figure, picture or

drawing Give examples, solve,

commentWrite in list or outlineOrganize under main points


Writing the Essay• Write down all the facts, ideas or points• Number your points• Be appealing and draw the reader in• Put in the examples and illustrations• Use transitions• Chose precise words• Use active rather than passive language


Writing the Essay• Omit needless words.• Vary your sentence patterns• Have a very strong closing

Study Skills

Ways to Study• Flashcards • Ask someone to quiz you• Read your notes• Read notes aloud• Highlight your notes• Summarize• Outline • Graphic version of work (lists, columns, Venn diagrams…)• Quiz yourself• Rewrite Notes• Worksheet as a quiz by covering over the answers and re-

doing• Look over old quizzes and assignments and correct• Answer study guide question• Teach it

• Open, organized studying surface– (large desk or table)

• Supplies (paper, pens,…)• Quiet without distractions• No Food• Good Lighting• Comfortable Furniture

Study Location

• Be calm and patient with yourself as you review– Beating yourself up will do no good.

• Try to open your mind as much as possible• Putting other things aside• Avoid frustration

Calm Attitude

Take Good Notes & Pay Attention

• Create two columns side by side•One listing the common names•Other listing the scientific names

• Covering up pieces of information

Lists

• Put one word/picture one side• Definition on other side

Flash Cards (modified list)

• Acronyms– Example• HOMES– Each of the letters in HOMES begins the

name of one of the Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, etc.)

• Acrostic– Example• "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally“– parenthesis, exponents, multiplication,

division, addition, subtraction

Acronyms/Mnemonics:

• Hard subject/assignment first–A student who receives A's in his

chemistry course may enjoy studying chemistry (and can still benefit from it, of course!) but if he is receiving C's or D's in math or English, then it is more pressing during the grading period to study those other subjects. Assess your strengths and weaknesses and distribute your time accordingly.

Focus on most important first

• Study groups allow the student to use other students to help– Fill in missing gaps in notes or

understanding– Identify with each other's problems in the

learning process– Quiz each other– Teaching someone else material helps you

to learn• Tutoring

Work with Others

• Practice improves success

Practice Essays

study skills combo

Education