College Test TakingCollege Test Taking

From time to time, you will be called From time to time, you will be called upon to “show what you know!” in upon to “show what you know!” in the arena of Testing.the arena of Testing.

What follows is information designed What follows is information designed to aid you in doing your very best…to aid you in doing your very best…

First & Foremost…First & Foremost…Put the test in perspective.Put the test in perspective.

Of course, you want to do your best, Of course, you want to do your best, but remember:but remember:– This test is not the end of the world, all This test is not the end of the world, all

you are doing is putting marks on a you are doing is putting marks on a piece of paper or on a computer screen.piece of paper or on a computer screen.

– Be prepared. Relax. Be prepared. Relax. – Know that you will pass the test with Know that you will pass the test with

flying colors.flying colors.

Planning Your ApproachPlanning Your Approach

Prepare physically for the Prepare physically for the exam.exam.

Prepare mentally for the Prepare mentally for the exam.exam.

Find out about the test.Find out about the test.

Know what is expected of you.Know what is expected of you.

Design an exam plan.Design an exam plan.

Join a study group.Join a study group.

Use tutoring and other Use tutoring and other campus support resources. campus support resources.

Tips for Taking TestsTips for Taking TestsGet a good night’s sleep, Get a good night’s sleep, eat a hearty breakfast.eat a hearty breakfast.

Bring necessary supplies Bring necessary supplies to class.to class.

Relax and control your Relax and control your breathing.breathing.

Begin by previewing the Begin by previewing the entire test.entire test.

Ask any questions Ask any questions regarding the regarding the instructions.instructions.

Don’t linger on hard Don’t linger on hard questions – move on.questions – move on.

Don’t get distracted by Don’t get distracted by others finishing before others finishing before you.you.

Ask for clarification Ask for clarification when necessary.when necessary.

Use clues in the test to Use clues in the test to jog your memory.jog your memory.

Re-check your work Re-check your work before handing it in.before handing it in.

Aids to MemoryAids to MemoryOver-learn the material—go over Over-learn the material—go over it again and again. it again and again.

Use multiple senses—read, Use multiple senses—read, discuss, draw.discuss, draw.

Categorize the information.Categorize the information.

Use mnemonics. Use mnemonics.

Associate ideas to things you Associate ideas to things you already know. already know.

Visualize the concepts. Visualize the concepts.

Use flash cards. Use flash cards.

Use rhymes, songs, and Use rhymes, songs, and acronyms.acronyms.

Ah, yes,I remember

it well.

Don’t let it get to you:Don’t let it get to you:Control Your Test AnxietyControl Your Test Anxiety

Manage your pre-test time wisely.Manage your pre-test time wisely.Re-program: Talk positively to Re-program: Talk positively to yourself.yourself.Eat well & get some exercise.Eat well & get some exercise.Don’t use drugs in an attempt to Don’t use drugs in an attempt to reduce anxiety. Better to do reduce anxiety. Better to do breathing exercises.breathing exercises.Find support: a friend, a tutor or an Find support: a friend, a tutor or an instructor.instructor.Keep the test in perspective.Keep the test in perspective.Know that you are ready!Know that you are ready!

It’s only a test.

Chill out!

Know What to Expect: Be Know What to Expect: Be Ready!Ready!

Will you be able to sit in your Will you be able to sit in your usual seat?usual seat?Will your instructor be present? Will your instructor be present? Ask your instructor questions that Ask your instructor questions that will clarify circumstances will clarify circumstances surrounding the exam: when? surrounding the exam: when? How long? How many questions?How long? How many questions?What will be the format of the What will be the format of the test?test?What do students who completed What do students who completed the course before you say about the course before you say about tests?tests?What will security be like?What will security be like?Are you penalized for guessing?Are you penalized for guessing?

Avoid Cramming for TestsAvoid Cramming for TestsRegularly check the syllabus or Regularly check the syllabus or calendar highlighting exam calendar highlighting exam dates.dates.Make a study plan for each Make a study plan for each exam.exam.Keep up with assigned readingsKeep up with assigned readingsReview class notes regularly.Review class notes regularly.Reward yourself for preparing Reward yourself for preparing productively.productively.Plan to reserve the night before Plan to reserve the night before for concentrated study.for concentrated study.A little at a time is much better A little at a time is much better than all at once.than all at once.

But If You Have No ChoiceBut If You Have No Choice, , Cram StrategicallyCram Strategically

Ideas for last-minute concentrated study:Ideas for last-minute concentrated study:

Clear the decks: no distractions.Clear the decks: no distractions.

Use textbook study aids.Use textbook study aids.

Skim for highlights & main ideas.Skim for highlights & main ideas.

Divide and conquer: one thing at a Divide and conquer: one thing at a time.time.

Bring required academic supplies.Bring required academic supplies.

Bring supplies for your spirit: candy, Bring supplies for your spirit: candy, gum, gum,

etc.etc.

Organize your resources. Organize your resources.

Get some sleep.Get some sleep.

Strategies for Various TestsStrategies for Various Tests

One strategy that works for One strategy that works for almost all tests:almost all tests:– If an answer comes quickly, go If an answer comes quickly, go

with it!with it!– If you’re really not sure, come If you’re really not sure, come

back to it later.back to it later.

Otherwise, different tests Otherwise, different tests have different strategies:have different strategies:– Objective testsObjective tests– Subjective testsSubjective tests

Should I or shouldn’t

I ?

Objective & Subjective TestsObjective & Subjective Tests

Objective tests Objective tests include include – multiple choicemultiple choice– matchingmatching– true-falsetrue-false– fill in the blankfill in the blank

Subjective testsSubjective tests– Short answerShort answer– Essay questionsEssay questions

Good study strategies Good study strategies include:include:– using flash cardsusing flash cards– making a concept making a concept

vocabulary listvocabulary list– reviewing your text’s reviewing your text’s

study guidestudy guide– reviewing your notesreviewing your notes– work with a tutorwork with a tutor– join a study groupjoin a study group

Multiple Choice StrategiesMultiple Choice StrategiesRead the question carefully and try to Read the question carefully and try to answer it before you read the choices.answer it before you read the choices.

Strike out wrong answers.Strike out wrong answers.

Mark answers clearly and consistently.Mark answers clearly and consistently.

Change answers cautiously. Beware of Change answers cautiously. Beware of second-guessing yourself.second-guessing yourself.

Read all the options before making a Read all the options before making a choice.choice.

If you don’t know an answer, move on.If you don’t know an answer, move on.

If all else fails, make an educated If all else fails, make an educated guess!! guess!!

True-False StrategiesTrue-False StrategiesRead the question carefully.Read the question carefully.

Go with your hunch.Go with your hunch.

Watch for key words:Watch for key words:– Absolutes (never, etc.) are probably falseAbsolutes (never, etc.) are probably false– Relatives (some, etc.) are probably trueRelatives (some, etc.) are probably true– Double negatives – not untruthful, etc.Double negatives – not untruthful, etc.

If a part of it is false, all of it is false.If a part of it is false, all of it is false.

Answer all questions unless there isAnswer all questions unless there isa penalty for guessing.a penalty for guessing.

Fill-in-the-Blank StrategiesFill-in-the-Blank Strategies

Read thoroughly to be sure what is Read thoroughly to be sure what is being asked.being asked.Be brief and specific.Be brief and specific.Give an answer for every blank.Give an answer for every blank.Short blanks may have long Short blanks may have long answers and vice versa. Don’t answers and vice versa. Don’t assume anything.assume anything.Remember an “a” before a blank Remember an “a” before a blank wants a consonant word and “an” a wants a consonant word and “an” a vowel word.vowel word.Watch for key “trigger” words.Watch for key “trigger” words.

And the magic word is _______ I knew it all the time!

Short Answer Short Answer StrategiesStrategies

These questions demonstrate how These questions demonstrate how well you can explain concepts well you can explain concepts briefly.briefly.

Write clear, logical, and brief Write clear, logical, and brief answers.answers.

Writing more than asked for or Writing more than asked for or including information not asked for including information not asked for suggests that you do not suggests that you do not understand the concepts.understand the concepts.

Other items on the test may Other items on the test may provide clues to help you answer provide clues to help you answer questions that stump you.questions that stump you.

Iknewthat!

Essay Question StrategiesEssay Question StrategiesRead the question Read the question carefully.carefully.What is the question What is the question asking for?asking for?Outline the key ideas.Outline the key ideas.Refer specifically to Refer specifically to the question in your the question in your opening sentence.opening sentence.Make a clear, coherent Make a clear, coherent thesis statement.thesis statement.Develop the main Develop the main body of the essay to body of the essay to support your thesis support your thesis statement.statement.

Conclude by Conclude by summarizing how your summarizing how your thesis is supported.thesis is supported.Watch grammar, Watch grammar, spelling and spelling and punctuation.punctuation.Use humor if it fits in.Use humor if it fits in.Be sure you have Be sure you have completely answered completely answered the question.the question.Write legibly.Write legibly.Proofread your work.Proofread your work.

Okay, you flunked it!Okay, you flunked it!Now recover your balance.Now recover your balance.

Don’t let yourself become undone Don’t let yourself become undone by one failure.by one failure.

Use the disappointment to Use the disappointment to critically think aboutcritically think about– the causes of the poor the causes of the poor

performanceperformance– crafting new strategies to crafting new strategies to

improve your situation.improve your situation.

Begin by reviewing your test Begin by reviewing your test results.results.

Talk to your instructor or a tutor.Talk to your instructor or a tutor.

Knowing When to Knowing When to ChallengeChallenge

Check to see that your grade has Check to see that your grade has been calculated correctly.been calculated correctly.Identify questions that were not Identify questions that were not clearly written.clearly written.Ask for a grade change ifAsk for a grade change if– you believe the instructor you believe the instructor

misunderstood youmisunderstood you– the instructor made a actual error in the instructor made a actual error in

calculating your score.calculating your score.

Remember, instructors are Remember, instructors are unlikely to change a grade without unlikely to change a grade without good reason.good reason.

Sure, I’ll look at it.

We all make mistakes.

Handle Handle EmergenciesEmergencies

HonestlyHonestly

Sometimes life gets in the way of test taking. Sometimes life gets in the way of test taking. Illness, sick children, and car accidents can and do Illness, sick children, and car accidents can and do happen to interfere with your ability to take an happen to interfere with your ability to take an exam at its scheduled time.exam at its scheduled time.

Call your instructor Call your instructor beforebefore the test to explain your the test to explain your situation.situation.

Ask if you can take a make-up exam in a courteous Ask if you can take a make-up exam in a courteous and respectful manner.and respectful manner.

Be prepared to document the cause of your Be prepared to document the cause of your absence.absence.

Tempted to cheat? Tempted to cheat? Resist the ImpulseResist the Impulse

Cheating can have ugly consequences:Cheating can have ugly consequences:Cheaters struggle with a nagging conscience, Cheaters struggle with a nagging conscience, self-doubt, dissatisfaction, and guilt.self-doubt, dissatisfaction, and guilt.Humiliation results if you get caught.Humiliation results if you get caught.You may, at least, receive a “0” on your exam, You may, at least, receive a “0” on your exam, or possibly be expelled from the college or or possibly be expelled from the college or university.university.Professors who catch you cheating may spread Professors who catch you cheating may spread the word and refuse to write letters of the word and refuse to write letters of recommendation, ruining chances for graduate recommendation, ruining chances for graduate study or participation in special programs.study or participation in special programs.And remember the person you cheat the most And remember the person you cheat the most is yourself.is yourself.

Finally, one more time:Finally, one more time:The Big ThreeThe Big Three

Be prepared!Be prepared!

Relax!Relax!

Know you can Know you can do it!do it!