SELF - TESTINGSELF - TESTING

What is self-testing?What is self-testing?

Self-testing is a way for you to Self-testing is a way for you to learn what you know and what learn what you know and what you do not know you do not know BEFORE you BEFORE you take the testtake the test (while you can still (while you can still do something about it!)do something about it!)

Is self-testing for me?Is self-testing for me?

I earn grades below my potential, but don’t know I earn grades below my potential, but don’t know how to improve.how to improve.

I earn excellent grades, but would like to spend less I earn excellent grades, but would like to spend less time studying. time studying.

I have not done well academically, but believe I can I have not done well academically, but believe I can do better.do better.

YES! Self-testing is for everyone!

STEPS FOR SELF-TESTINGSTEPS FOR SELF-TESTING

1.1. Identify main ideas to use as Identify main ideas to use as cluesclues for for detailsdetails

2.2. Visibly separate questions from answers.Visibly separate questions from answers.This can be done in three different ways:This can be done in three different ways:

A. Note CardsA. Note Cards

B. Cornell NotesB. Cornell Notes

C. Outline Format C. Outline Format

Note Card FormatNote Card Format

Example:Example: Instructions:Instructions:– 3x5 cards work very 3x5 cards work very

well for this.well for this.

– Write a question Write a question based on your class based on your class notes or reading on notes or reading on one side of the card.one side of the card.

– Write the answer on Write the answer on the other side of the the other side of the card.card.

What is “Reconstruction?”

“reconstruction” means to rebuild; it was when the south rebuilt after the Civil

War

Note CardNote CardAdvantages & DisadvantagesAdvantages & Disadvantages

Advantages:Advantages: Easy to carry with Easy to carry with

youyou Easy to use Easy to use

between classes or between classes or any other time you any other time you are waitingare waiting

Easy to continue Easy to continue studying where studying where you left offyou left off

Disadvantages:Disadvantages: It is necessary to It is necessary to

rewrite your notes rewrite your notes onto the 3x5 cardsonto the 3x5 cards

(Class Notes)

What is

Reconstruction?

Example:Example:

Cornell Notes FormatCornell Notes Format Instructions:Instructions:

– Before you take Before you take notes in class, draw notes in class, draw a line dividing your a line dividing your notebook page into notebook page into two sections.two sections.

– Take notes in class Take notes in class as you normally do as you normally do on the right-hand on the right-hand side of the pageside of the page

– After class, write After class, write questions in the left-questions in the left-hand column that hand column that can be answered by can be answered by looking in your looking in your notes. notes.

Reconstruction - the time after the Civil War when the south was trying to “rebuild”

Cornell NotesCornell NotesAdvantages & DisadvantagesAdvantages & Disadvantages

Advantages:Advantages: It is not necessary It is not necessary

to rewrite your to rewrite your notesnotes

Easy to review by Easy to review by yourself or with yourself or with someone who does someone who does not know the class not know the class contentcontent

Disadvantages:Disadvantages: A notebook is not A notebook is not

as portable as the as portable as the note cardsnote cards

Outline FormatOutline Format

Example:Example: Instructions:Instructions:– Write a question Write a question

based on your class based on your class notes and textbook.notes and textbook.

– Write the answer Write the answer under the question under the question in a different color.in a different color.

What is reconstruction?The time after the Civil War when the south was rebuilt.

What is a pocket veto?When the Pres. doesn’t sign

a bill after 10 days. It becomes law.

Outline FormatOutline FormatAdvantages & DisadvantagesAdvantages & Disadvantages

AdvantagesAdvantages :: Easy to review by Easy to review by

yourself or with yourself or with someone who does someone who does not know the class not know the class contentcontent

Your notes will be Your notes will be organized in a way organized in a way that is easy to that is easy to studystudy

Disadvantages:Disadvantages: It is necessary to It is necessary to

rewrite your notesrewrite your notes A notebook is not A notebook is not

as portable as note as portable as note cardscards

STEPS FOR SELF-TESTINGSTEPS FOR SELF-TESTING

Now that you have your questions prepared: Now that you have your questions prepared: 3.3. While covering the answers, read the While covering the answers, read the

questions out loud and recite answers questions out loud and recite answers aloud (write if you prefer).aloud (write if you prefer).

4.4. Check your stated answer with the Check your stated answer with the actual answer.actual answer.

5.5. If your answer was correct, put the card If your answer was correct, put the card in an “I know it” pile. (If you are using in an “I know it” pile. (If you are using the Cornell or Outline format, mark the Cornell or Outline format, mark correct answers with a “star”.)correct answers with a “star”.)

6.6. If your answer was incorrect, read the If your answer was incorrect, read the correct answer aloud. Re-read the correct answer aloud. Re-read the question & recite the answer again question & recite the answer again without looking. Then check your answer. without looking. Then check your answer. Repeat until you know it.Repeat until you know it.

7.7. Any questions you don’t know the first Any questions you don’t know the first time should be placed in a “need to learn” time should be placed in a “need to learn” pile. If you are using Cornell/Outline, they pile. If you are using Cornell/Outline, they should be left unmarked until you know should be left unmarked until you know them.them.

8.8. Review until you know all of the questions Review until you know all of the questions and answers.and answers.

9.9. Review 2-3 times per week to retain Review 2-3 times per week to retain information. information.

Presented by…Presented by…

Academic Support Services Academic Support Services

Bismarck State CollegeSykes Student Success Center

Jack Science Center 312224-5671

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