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Strategies for Test Taking - Sauk Valley Community College

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<strong>Strategies</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Test</strong> <strong>Taking</strong>Student Success Workshop Series<strong>Sauk</strong> <strong>Valley</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>College</strong>


Preparing <strong>for</strong> the <strong>Test</strong> . . .• Preparation <strong>for</strong> your first test should begin after the first day of class.• Budget your time, make sure you have sufficient time to study so that you are wellprepared <strong>for</strong> the test.• Attend review sessions.• Take notes and ask questions about items which you are confused.• Ask the instructor to specify the areas that will be emphasized on the test.• Make sure you go to the class right be<strong>for</strong>e the test.• Go over any material from practice tests, sample problems, review material, thetextbook, class notes etc.


Be<strong>for</strong>e You Begin the <strong>Test</strong> . . .• Try to show up at least 5 minutes be<strong>for</strong>e the test will start.• Bring all materials to class with you.• Listen carefully to your instructor’s directions andcomments.• Do a “mind dump” – Write down key facts or <strong>for</strong>mulas in themargin be<strong>for</strong>e you start your test.• Preview the test be<strong>for</strong>e you answer anything.• Quickly calculate how much time you should allow <strong>for</strong> eachsection according to the point value.


While <strong>Taking</strong> the <strong>Test</strong> . . .• Look <strong>for</strong> qualifying words such as never, always, rarely, often,seldom, and many because they may help you determine thecorrect answer.• Answer easy questions first.• Answer objective questions be<strong>for</strong>e essay questions.• If you don’t know the answer, make a mark next to thatquestion and try to complete it later.• Guess at answers you don’t know unless there is a penalty <strong>for</strong>guessing.• Change answers only if you are sure they are wrong.• Use all of the time allowed.


True/ False Questions• Usually there are more true answers than false on most tests.• If there is no guessing penalty, then guess.• Read through each statement carefully, and pay attention to thequalifiers and keywords.• Qualifiers like never, always, and every mean that the statementmust be true all of the time. Usually these type of qualifiers lead toa false answer.• Qualifiers like usually, sometimes, and generally mean that thestatement can be considered true or false depending on thecircumstances. Usually these type of qualifiers lead to a trueanswer.• If any part of the question is false, then the entire statement is falsebut just because part of a statement is true doesn't necessarilymake the entire statement true.


Examples of Qualifying StatementsAbsolute StatementsAbsolute statements which contain words such as “always, all, never, or none” tend to be false.Examples:“Sitting in front of the room will assure you of getting a good grade.”“You should always make diagrams when studying <strong>for</strong> a test.”“Everyone loves to play Monopoly.”“The best game <strong>for</strong> young children is Jacks.”Qualifying WordsStatements containing qualifying words such as “usually, sometimes, many, few, may, can or frequently” areusually true.Examples:“Chess is usually played by adults.”“Trivial Pursuit may be played by groups of people.”“Some students use recall columns when taking lecture notes.”“Some students who fail exams may suffer from high levels of test anxiety.”Taken from http://www.slideshare.net/gskeesee/test-taking-strategies


Multiple Choice <strong>Test</strong> <strong>Taking</strong> Tips• Read the question be<strong>for</strong>e you look at the answer.• Come up with the answer in your head be<strong>for</strong>e looking at the possible answers,this way the choices given on the test won't throw you off or trick you.• Eliminate answers you know aren't right.• Read all the choices be<strong>for</strong>e choosing your answer.• If there is no guessing penalty, always take an educated guess and select ananswer.• Don't keep changing your answer, usually your first choice is the right one,unless you misread the question.• In "All of the above" and "None of the above" choices, if you are certain one ofthe statements is true don't choose "None of the above" or one of thestatements are false don't choose "All of the above".• In a question with an "All of the above" choice, if you see that at least twocorrect statements, then "All of the above" is probably the answer.• Usually the correct answer is the choice with the most in<strong>for</strong>mation.


Matching Tips• First, read the list on the right which contains the answerchoices so that you are aware of all the possibilities <strong>for</strong>answers.• Your instructor may have written one answer that appears tobe correct near the top of the list, but a more correct answermay come lower in the list. If you do not read the entire list,you will not know all of the options.• Solve questions you are unsure of by process of eliminationafter you have finished using the answers you are sure arecorrect.


Completion (Fill in the blank)• Reread the question several times.• Look <strong>for</strong> context clues.• A and an are context clues. If an appears, the word followingmust begin with a vowel.• Mark the statements you cannot complete and return tothem.


Short Answer <strong>Test</strong> Tips• To prepare <strong>for</strong> short answer questions, use flashcards by writingthe key terms, dates and concepts on the front. Write thedefinition, event, and explanations on the back.• Try to anticipate questions that will be asked on the test andprepare <strong>for</strong> them.• Try not to leave an answer blank. Show your work by writingdown your thoughts.• If you don't know the answer, come back to it after you finish therest of the test and make an educated guess.• If you can think up of more than one answer <strong>for</strong> a question, ask theinstructor what to do.• Read the question carefully and make sure that you answereverything that it asks <strong>for</strong>.


Essay <strong>Test</strong> Tips• Read the directions carefully. Pay close attention to whether youare supposed to answer all the essays or only a specified amount(i.e. "Answer 2 out of the 3 questions”).• Make sure that you understand what the question is asking you. Ifyou're not sure, ask your instructor.• Make sure that you write down everything that is asked of you.• Budget your time, don't spend the entire test time on one essay.• If the question is asking <strong>for</strong> facts, don't give your personal opinionon the topic.• When writing your essay, try to be as neat as possible.


Essay <strong>Test</strong> Tips• Make an outline be<strong>for</strong>e writing your essay. This way your essay will bemore organized and fluid. If you happen to run out of time, yourinstructor may give you partial credit <strong>for</strong> the ideas that you haveoutlined.• Don't write long introductions and conclusions, the bulk of your timeshould be spent on answering the question(s) asked.• Focus on one main idea per a paragraph.• If you have time left at the end, proofread your work and correct anyerrors.• Budget your time. If you have an hour to write 3 essays, spend no morethan 20 minutes on each essay, then if you have time left over at the endgo back and finish any incomplete essays.• If you aren't sure about an exact date or number, use approximations i.e."Approximately 5000" or "In the late 17th century."


Open Book Tips• Spend an equal or greater amount of time preparing as you would <strong>for</strong> a normaltest. The open book test will most likely be harder than if it were a closed bookexam.• Familiarize yourself with the book and relevant materials.• If it's allowed, write down all the important <strong>for</strong>mulas and key in<strong>for</strong>mation on aseparate sheet so you don't have to search through your book <strong>for</strong> it.• Focus on learning the main ideas and get a feel <strong>for</strong> where they are located in thebook.• Highlight important points, use post-it notes, bookmarks and make notes inyour book, if it is allowed.• Bring all the resources that your instructor allows.• Answer the easy questions that you know off the top of your head first, then goback and answer the questions where you need to reference your book.• Use quotations from the book to support your view, but don't over-quote, besure to give your own insight and commentary.


Math <strong>Test</strong>-<strong>Taking</strong> Tips• Make sure you learn how to recognize when/why you should use a specific method to solve aproblem.• Work on practice problems <strong>for</strong> each topic ranging in levels of difficulty.• When practicing, try to solve the problem on your own first then look at the answer or seek help ifyou are having trouble.• Mix up the order of the questions from various topics when you are reviewing so you'll learn whento use a specific method/<strong>for</strong>mula.• Make up a sheet with all the <strong>for</strong>mulas you need to know and memorize all the <strong>for</strong>mulas on thesheet.• When you get your exam, write down all the key <strong>for</strong>mulas on the margin of your paper so if you<strong>for</strong>get them when you're in the middle of the test you can look back at the <strong>for</strong>mula.• Read the directions carefully and don't <strong>for</strong>get to answer all parts of the question.• Show all your work (especially when partial credit is awarded) and write as legibly as possible.• Even if you know the final answer is wrong, don't erase your entire work because you may getpartial credit <strong>for</strong> using the correct procedure.• Check over your test after you are done with it.


Post <strong>Test</strong> Tips• When you get your test back look it over and make sure that thereare no grading mistakes.• Look over the test and make sure that you understand yourmistakes. If you don't know the answer to a question, look it up,or ask your instructor.• If your instructor reviews the test in class, be sure to take notes onthe answers <strong>for</strong> the questions/problems that you got wrong.• If you aren't satisfied with your grade, go to your instructor andsee if there's a make-up exam or any extra credit you can do.• Save the test as study material <strong>for</strong> future cumulative tests.


Additional In<strong>for</strong>mation –5 Day Study PlanUsing a 5 Day Study PlanYou can use a 5 day study plan to help you organize yourmaterials and time to review <strong>for</strong> a major test.


4 Steps to Creating a Study PlanStep 1 – Set specific goals• Be specific and realistic by making a list of all of the topics you willneed to review <strong>for</strong> your test. You will want to include textbookreadings, lecture notes, homework assignments, lab reports,projects, or any other materials covered in class.Step 2 - Set a specific target date and time• Days 1, 2, 3, and 4 are organized as review sessions. Day 5 of yourstudy plan (the day be<strong>for</strong>e the test) should be dedicated toreviewing the special notes you created in step 3. Look at yourschedule to determine what days and times you have available <strong>for</strong>studying.


4 Steps to Creating a Study PlanExample of Steps 1 & 2 -Step 1 – Specific goalPrepare <strong>for</strong> the midterm in Sociology scheduled <strong>for</strong> Monday by reviewing:Chapters 1-4Textbook notesTerminology (study guides) Homework questionsLecture notesNotes from videoPapersNotes from guest speakerStep 2 – Target dates and times to studyMon 8 – 9:00 am Sat 10 – 12:00 pm3 – 4:00 pm 4 – 6:00 pmWed 8 – 9:00 am3 – 4:00 pm Sun 2 – 4:00 pmFri 8 – 9:00 am 7 – 9:00 pm3 – 4:00 pm


4 Steps to Creating a Study PlanStep 3 - Identify stepsThis step requires some careful planning!• First, refer to your list of materials you need to review - your textbookreadings, lecture notes, homework assignments, lab reports, projects, orany other materials covered in class.• Next, group your study materials in four logical categories by puttingtopics that go with each other together. You will review one category ofin<strong>for</strong>mation each day during the first four days of your schedule.• Next, create a plan <strong>for</strong> how you will review the in<strong>for</strong>mation.For example, you may want to begin by reading the chapter summary,reviewing your textbook notes, reviewing your class notes, reviewingyour homework assignment, and reviewing terminology.


4 Steps to Creating a Study PlanStep 3 - Identify steps (con’t)• Then, create summary notes to use as you review each chapter.Summary notes are special notes that you make <strong>for</strong> only thematerials that need to be reviewed one final time be<strong>for</strong>e thetest.• Examples of summary notes:1. Lists or categories of in<strong>for</strong>mation to remember2. Charts that compare or contrast different subjects studied3. Chapter outlines4. Flash cards of categories or terminology• Finally, create your five day plan by writing a list of what youwill review each day.


Example of a Study PlanMonday Wednesday Friday Saturday Sunday8 – 9:00 amChapter 1 class studyguide homeworkquestions handouts8 – 9:00 amChapter 2 study guide homeworkquestions video notes8 – 9:00 amChapter 3 class studyguide handouts homeworkquestions10 – 12:00 pmChapter 4 study guide homeworkquestions 2 shortpapers2 – 4:00 pm Reviewsummarynotes Self quiz onchapter 1 & 23 - 4:00 pmChapter 1 lecture notes textbooknotes notes –guestspeaker3 – 4:00 pmChapter 2 lecture notes textbook notes3 – 4:00 pmChapter 3 lecturenotes textbooknotes4 – 6:00 pmChapter 4 lecture notes textbooknotes7 – 9:00 pm Reviewsummarynotes Self quiz onchapter 3 & 4


4 Steps to Creating a Study PlanStep 4 - Plan a reward• Choose a reward <strong>for</strong> yourself after you have completed yourfive day study plan and after you complete the test.


In<strong>for</strong>mation Retrieved From:• http://www.testtakingtips.com/• Improve Your Study Skills by Marcia J. Coman

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