Day 10

PREPARING FOR THE EOC

• Preparing for the Biology EOC test will take time, effort, and practice. You cannot prepare for the Biology EOC test in one night!

• In order to do your best on the Biology EOC test, it is critical that you take the time to prepare and develop study skills.

• First, you need to make sure that your study times are used efficiently and productively. Second, it is most helpful to know some general test-taking strategies to ensure that you will achieve the best score.

• Here are some important questions to ask yourself when developing your study skills. Your answers may help you define some areas in which you need to make some improvements.

• 1. What are your study skills strengths and/or weaknesses as a student?

• 2. What methods help you the most? • 3. How do you typically prepare for a biology test? • 4. Compare an ideal study situation (environment)

to your actual study environment. • 5. What can you change about the way you study to

make your study time more productive?

• Study skills can actually be divided into separate target areas: time management, organization, and active participation. Use these suggestions to help you improve your study skills and your study environment.

Study Strategies

• Make lists• Practice Vocab• Rewrite notes• Read• Draw and label

pictures• Summarize topics• Quiz yourself

• Make outlines• Draw charts• Answer testbook

questions• Look for relationships• Develop memory aids

– Mnemonics– Flash cards

Test-Taking Strategies

• There are many test-taking strategies that you can use before and during a test to help you have the most successful testing situation possible. Here are some questions to help you take a look at your test-taking skills.

• 1. How would you describe your test-taking skills? List the strategies that you already know and use when you are taking a test. 2. How do you feel when you are taking a test? List test-taking behaviors you use when preparing for and taking a test that do not contribute to (but distract from) your success. 3. What would you like to learn about taking tests?

Strategies for Success on Multiple-Choice Exams

NOT a substitute for knowing the material

1. Arrive Early. Bring all materials. Pick a good seat. DON’T talk about the test. DON’T cram. DO keep your ears open if teacher reviews or another student asks a question.

2. Brain Dump Once the test begins. Write down key information such as Facts, definitions, keywords, formulas or mnemonic devices such as King Phillip Came Over For Great Spaghetti

3. Preview the Test Carefully. Read instructions Note # of questions and budget your time.

4. Anticipate the Answer. Cover the answers Answer in your own words, looking for the answer choice like yours.

5. Watch for Trigger Words like Negative or Absolute words such as all, except, most, least, not, never, always, only. Underline or circle these words. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a prokaryotic cell? A. Has ribosomes, B. Has a nucleus, C. Has circular DNA, D. Has a cell wall.

6. Read ALL Answer Choices. Add a + , - , or ? Avoid selecting an answer too soon. Which of the following are viruses? A. HIV, B. Influenza, C. Streptococcus, D. A and B. + + - +

7. Answer Easy Questions First. Easy = answers you know. Builds confidence and Warms you up, helping you remember difficult material.

8. Save Hard Questions. Mark questions you can’t answer right away and go back at the end as later questions might help.

9. Answer ALL Questions. Make an educated guess using the process of elimination (+, -, ?). Eliminate at least 2 and guess from there. You’re always better off answering all questions.

10. Don’t change your answer unless you know you are right.11. Use ALL Time. Don’t worry how fast others’ are

finishing. If you finish early Check your answers. Re-read the instructions. Make sure you caught all trigger words

12.Don’t choose "All of the above" if any distracter is false

13.Don’t choose "None of the above" if any distracter is true

14.Two or more distracters correct choose “All of the above”

15.A positive choice more likely to be true than a negative one

16.Correct answer / choice with the most information.

17.If all else fails , B or C is most likely answer but not always the case.

•Test anxiety feeling pressure in a situation where performance really counts or you have to perform well.

•Symptoms include racing thoughts, sweaty palms, fast heart rate.

•Determine what type of test anxiety you have. Do you have anxiety while preparing for the test, or do you prepare and have anxiety while taking the test.

You probably have test anxiety if you answer YES to four or more of the following:

1.I have a hard time getting started studying for a test.

2. When studying for a test, I find many things that distract me.

3. I expect to do poorly on a test no matter how much or how hard I study.

4. When taking a test, I experience physical discomfort such as sweaty palms, an upset stomach, a headache, difficulty breathing, and tension in my muscles

5. When taking a test, I find it difficult to understand the directions and questions.

6. When taking a test, I have difficulty organizing my thoughts.

7. When taking a test, I often “draw a blank.”

8. When taking a test, I find my mind wandering to other things.

9. I usually score lower on a test than I do on assignments and papers.

10. After a test, I remember information I couldn’t recall during the test.Compliments of

www.how-to-study.com

• Ask for help• Have a positive attitude• Visualize success• Ask yourself questions while

studying to determine what you need to study.

Tips and Techniques

• Start studying early– Night before, review the material and get a good

night’s sleep– Cramming increases test anxiety

• Mentally practice going through the testing experience– Visualize yourself answering the questions correctly

and receiving the grade you want– If you can “see” yourself doing well, you will do well!

Tips and Techniques

• If you have diligently prepared, walk into the classroom with confidence– How you act can affect how you feel

• Five common relaxation techniques1.Take a deep breath, hold it and then release your

breath along with the tension2.Start at the top of your head, flexing and then relaxing

each part of your body3.Close your eyes and visualize sunshine melting away

the tension and relaxing all your muscles

Tips and Techniques

• Five Common Relaxation techniques4. Close your eyes and let your arms hang down at

your sidesVisualize the tension from your head, neck, and shoulders

flowining down your arms and out of your fingertips

5. Think of a place where you feel very relaxed and calm

• Close your eyes and visualize being in that place

Tips and Techniques

• Dealing with thoughts• “Yell stop!” Either mentally or in an

appropriate place out loud!

Tips and Techniques

• Dealing with thoughts• Focus your attention on a specific object and

notice the details– During a test, take a few seconds to listen to your

own breathing

Tips and Techniques

• Dealing with thoughts• Praise yourself

– Talk to yourself in a positive way: “I have prepared for this test and now will show the instructor what a brilliant student I am!”

Tips and Techniques

• Dealing with thoughts• Consider the worst

– quickly discover the absurdity of thinking that failing the test will mean the absolute end of your academic and professional career or personal happiness!”

Tips and Techniques

• Dealing with thoughts• Zoom out

– Briefly imagine that you are now a few hours, days, weeks, months, removed from this situation

– Assess how much the current test situation will matter

Tips and Techniques

• Dealing with physical sensations• Exercise

– Aerobic (walking, jogging, sports) or anaerobic (weight lifting) on a regular basis

– Simply walking 20 minutes on a regular basis will help

Tips and Techniques

• Dealing with thoughts• Get help

– When these techniques don’t work, seek immediate help from family, friends, medical providers, church, faculty, staff

– Emergency assistance is available on the phone

Study Websites

• http://regentsprep.org/Regents/core/questions/topics.cfm?Course=BIOL

• http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/bio_09/book_home.htm?state=NC

• http://www.quia.com/shared/search• http://quizlet.com/subject/biology-eoc/• http://ecsd-fl.schoolloop.com/L.16.3