TEST TAKINGTEST TAKING

Midterms/Exams can be either Midterms/Exams can be either ObjectiveObjective - - true/false, multiple choice or fill in the true/false, multiple choice or fill in the

blanks.blanks. They are made up of items which provide a They are made up of items which provide a selection of alternative answers from which the selection of alternative answers from which the learner has to choose rather than requiring the answer learner has to choose rather than requiring the answer to be supplied by the learner. to be supplied by the learner.

Subjective Subjective - - Essay, short answer, oral. Essay, short answer, oral. They They ask you to write answers rather than choose from a set of possible answers. Thus, answering them is much like writing short papers on assigned topics.

Multiple Choice TestsMultiple Choice Tests Most commonly used test format in college.Most commonly used test format in college. Requires very careful reading and analysis of Requires very careful reading and analysis of

responses.responses. Most common problem with Multiple Choice tests is Most common problem with Multiple Choice tests is

not being prepared ---- so rehearse. not being prepared ---- so rehearse. Use sample questions from Use sample questions from

old textbooksold textbooks

old examsold exams

online quizzesonline quizzes

Types of Multiple Choice QuestionsTypes of Multiple Choice Questions

FactualFactual – question based on facts acquired through lectures and – question based on facts acquired through lectures and teststests

Example:Example: In what Canadian province would you find the In what Canadian province would you find the country’s capital city?country’s capital city?

Conceptual Conceptual – a question that requires you to think about and – a question that requires you to think about and reflect on what you have learned.reflect on what you have learned.

Example:Example: Psychologist deal with variables which are …… Psychologist deal with variables which are ……AppliedApplied – a question that uses unfamiliar context to test your – a question that uses unfamiliar context to test your

knowledge of familiar conceptsknowledge of familiar concepts Example:Example: You lie awake all night trying to make sense of your You lie awake all night trying to make sense of your

schedule for the following day, planning things carefully and schedule for the following day, planning things carefully and methodically. Your behaviour is an example of a(n)methodically. Your behaviour is an example of a(n)

Multiple Choice Exams – TipsMultiple Choice Exams – Tips

Predict an answer before looking at the alternatives (By predicting the answer before you look at the alternatives you're less likely to be swayed by an alternative that is incorrect).

Reveal the answers one by one Eliminate options you know to be incorrect. Question answers that don’t fit with the stem.

Longest or the most specific option will most often be the correct option.

Qualifying modifiers (sometimes, generally, often) are used more often in the correct option than absolute modifiers (never, always, only).

When the options are all numbers, the correct option is less likely to be an extreme number.

The correct option may be one of two similar options, with the most specific option usually correct.

If you don’t know an answer, move on. You may find your answer or a hint in another question.

If you have two synonymous (having the same meaning) options, neither will be correct .

The best option should be a grammatically correct extension of the question (subjects & verbs agreement).

Be alert to give-aways in grammatical construction. The correct answer to an item stem which ends in “an” would obviously be an option starting with a vowel

The Essay ExamThe Essay Exam Set up a time schedule (how much time to spend onSet up a time schedule (how much time to spend on each question. each question. If questions are weighted, take that into account.If questions are weighted, take that into account. When the time is up for that question, stop writing When the time is up for that question, stop writing

(always leave some space).(always leave some space). Pay attention to how the question is phrased or to the Pay attention to how the question is phrased or to the

directives “compare”, “contrast”, criticize”.directives “compare”, “contrast”, criticize”. If the question is asking for facts, don’t give your If the question is asking for facts, don’t give your

personal opinion on the topic.personal opinion on the topic. Before answering a question, put it into your own Before answering a question, put it into your own

words and compare with the original (if they don’t words and compare with the original (if they don’t match, you have misread the question).match, you have misread the question).

Essay Questions - TipsEssay Questions - Tips Make a brief outline. Begin with a strong first sentence. Develop your argument. Don’t write long introductions and conclusions

(bulk of your time should be spent on answering the question (s) asked.

Focus on one main idea per paragraph. When writing keep a blank sheet. Be prepared to

jot down notes.

Short Answer TestsShort Answer Tests Follow the typical essay format: introduction, body, and Follow the typical essay format: introduction, body, and

conclusion.conclusion. Make sure that you clearly state the idea or thesis of your answerMake sure that you clearly state the idea or thesis of your answer Get right to the point. Don't rewrite the question!Get right to the point. Don't rewrite the question! Answer in specific terms, not in general. Use examples: from the Answer in specific terms, not in general. Use examples: from the

readings, the class, or the real world.readings, the class, or the real world. When using examples, make sure that it is clear why you are When using examples, make sure that it is clear why you are

using that particular example to answer the question.using that particular example to answer the question. When making general statements, be sure to follow them up with When making general statements, be sure to follow them up with

answers to questions such as who, what, why and how.answers to questions such as who, what, why and how. Avoid making all encompassing statements, such as using the Avoid making all encompassing statements, such as using the

words "all," "every," "no one," etc. unless they are true.words "all," "every," "no one," etc. unless they are true. Be prepared to defend every statement you make with recognized Be prepared to defend every statement you make with recognized

facts. facts.

Exam PreparationExam Preparation Approach the exam with confidence: Use whatever Approach the exam with confidence: Use whatever

strategies you can to personalize success: visualization, strategies you can to personalize success: visualization, logic, talking to your self, practice, team work, journaling, logic, talking to your self, practice, team work, journaling, etc.etc.

Be prepared! Learn your material thoroughly and Be prepared! Learn your material thoroughly and organize what materials you will need for the test.organize what materials you will need for the test. Use a Use a checklistchecklist ･･

Allow yourself plenty of time, especially to do things you Allow yourself plenty of time, especially to do things you need to do before the test and still get there a little earlyneed to do before the test and still get there a little early

Avoid thinking you need to cram just before.Avoid thinking you need to cram just before. Avoid speaking with any fellow students who have not Avoid speaking with any fellow students who have not

prepared, who express negativity, who will distract your prepared, who express negativity, who will distract your preparationpreparation

Avoid negative self-talkAvoid negative self-talk

Overcoming Test Anxiety - TipsOvercoming Test Anxiety - Tips Be PreparedBe Prepared Practice positive self-talkPractice positive self-talk Avoid the ‘doom mongers’Avoid the ‘doom mongers’ Use visualizationUse visualization Practice relaxationPractice relaxation

Get enough sleep before the exam ( fatigue intensifies anxietyGet enough sleep before the exam ( fatigue intensifies anxiety Skim through the testSkim through the test Write down important formulas, facts, definitions,or keywords in the Write down important formulas, facts, definitions,or keywords in the

marginmargin

During the testDuring the test Read the directions carefullyRead the directions carefully.. Budget your test taking timeBudget your test taking time.. Change positions to help you relaxChange positions to help you relax.. If you go blank, skip the question and go onIf you go blank, skip the question and go on.. If you're taking an essay test and you go blank on the If you're taking an essay test and you go blank on the

whole test, pick a question and start writing. It may whole test, pick a question and start writing. It may trigger the answer in your mindtrigger the answer in your mind..

Don't panic when students start handing in their Don't panic when students start handing in their papers. There's no reward for being the first done.papers. There's no reward for being the first done.

Getting Anxious During the TestGetting Anxious During the Test Relax; you are in control. Take slow, deep breathsRelax; you are in control. Take slow, deep breaths. . Pause:Pause: think about the next step and keep on task, think about the next step and keep on task,

step by stepstep by step Use positive reinforcement for yourself: Use positive reinforcement for yourself:

Acknowledge that you have done, and are doing, your Acknowledge that you have done, and are doing, your bestbest ･･

Expect Expect somesome anxiety. It's a reminder that you want to anxiety. It's a reminder that you want to do your best. Just keep it manageabledo your best. Just keep it manageable

Realize that anxiety can be a "habit" and that it takes Realize that anxiety can be a "habit" and that it takes practice to use it as a tool to succeedpractice to use it as a tool to succeed

After the ExamAfter the Exam List what worked.List what worked. List what did not work for improvementList what did not work for improvement.. Celebrate that you are on the road to overcoming this Celebrate that you are on the road to overcoming this

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