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You’re About to Discover…

You’re About to Discover…

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I. Test Anxiety: What is it? Do you have it?A. Four Aspects of Test Anxiety and ExamplesB. Relieving stress

II. What to do before, during, and after the test?III. Different kinds of tests

A. True/False 1. Absolutes

2. Qualifiers B. Multiple Choice

C. Short Answer/Fill-in-the-Blank/Matching D. Subjective Essays

E. Characteristics of all tests

QualifierAbsolutes

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Physiological AspectsPhysiological Aspects

Do YOU Have Test Anxiety? Do YOU Have Test Anxiety?

Exercise 9.1:Test Anxiety

The four aspects of test anxiety:

Cognitive AspectsCognitive Aspects

Behavioral AspectsBehavioral Aspects

Emotional AspectsEmotional Aspects

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© 2010 Wadsworth, Cengage Learning

Before the Test: Prepare Carefully Before the Test:

Prepare Carefully

1. Begin preparing for an exam on the first day of class.

2. Identify the days and times of all your exams and make a

note in your planner, PDA, or cell phone.

3. Find out exactly what the test will cover.

4. Understand that you should prepare differently

for different types of tests.

5. Manage your energy, focus, and work quickly.

.

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1. Jot down what you don’t want to forget right away.

2. Preview the exam.

3. Start with what you know.

4. Manage your time.

5. Read directions thoroughly.

6. Read questions carefully.

7. If the test has a mixed format, complete the multiple-

choice questions first.

During the Test: Focus and Work Hard

During the Test: Focus and Work Hard

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After the Test: Continue to Learn

After the Test: Continue to Learn

1. Analyze your results.2. Read your instructor’s comments and take them to heart. 3. Explain your grade to yourself. 4. Be honest. 5. Make a specific plan for the next test.6. Approach your instructor politely if you believe your exam was mismarked.7. Reward yourself for good (study) behavior.

“Non scholae sed vitae discrimus. (We do not learn for school, but for life.)” Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Roman philosopher and statesman

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TestingActivity

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Types of Tests Types of Tests

True-False: Truly a 50–50 Chance of Getting It Right?True-False: Truly a 50–50 Chance of Getting It Right?

• Watch for parts that make the whole statement false.

• Assume statements are true until you can prove them false.

• Watch for absolutes; they often make a statement false.

• Look for qualifiers; they often make a statement true.

• Remember: negatives can be confusing.

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Types of Tests Types of Tests

Multiple Choice or Multiple Guess? Taking the Guesswork Out.

Multiple Choice or Multiple Guess? Taking the Guesswork Out.

Think of answers on your own before reading your choices.

Line up your test and answer sheet.

Determine the TPI (time per item).

Don’t decide answers based on the law of averages.

Use a process of elimination and guess if there’s no penalty.

Look for highly similar pairs.

Look for contradictory answers.

Watch out for tricks intended to trip-up the unprepared!

Consider each answer as an individual true-false question.

Be wary of “all of the above” or “none of the above” options.

Watch for terms that have been emphasized. Exercise 9.2:Multiple Choice

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Types of Tests Types of Tests

Short-Answer, Fill in the Blank, and Matching TestsShort-Answer, Fill in the Blank, and Matching Tests

Think of short-answer

questions like mini-essays.

Think it through.

Try different combinations of

words.

Match items you’re certain

about and cross them out.

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Taking Subjective Essay TestsTaking Subjective Essay Tests

Types of Tests Types of Tests

• Save enough time for essays.

• Make brief notes.

• Read all the questions first.

• State your thesis up front.

• Provide support for your thesis.

• Zero in on the verb.

• Use terms from the course.

• Rifle your answer, don’t shotgun.

• Generalize if you’re unsure of details.

• Watch your grammar.

• Write an answer that reflects what the

question is worth.

• Put down what you do know.

• Proofread and make sure your

handwriting can be read.

• If you run out of time, jot down

anything else you can remember.

• Summarize at the end.

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Characteristics of All Tests

• You are required to remember facts.

• You interpret information.

• You apply theories and principles.

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Test Anxiety SurveyTest Anxiety Survey

Exercise 9.1, p. 273

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Multiple-Choice TestMultiple-Choice Test

Exercise 9.2, p. 283