TEST TAKING
How to Demonstrate your Knowledge
Laura J. Clark
College Success Coach
S.T.E.P.S. - Students Transitioning through Education Programs Successfully
Organizing for Test Taking
O Begin reviewing early.
O Conduct short daily review sessions.
O Read text assignments before lectures.
O Review notes immediately after lectures.
O Review with a group.
O Conduct a major review early enough to allow for a visit to the
instructor during office hours if necessary.
O Break up the study tasks into manageable chunks.
O Study the most difficult material when you are alert.
TEST ANXIETY
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Approach the exam with confidence!
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Be prepared! Learn your material thoroughly and organize what materials you will need for the test. Use a checklist.
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Choose a comfortable location for taking the test with good lighting and minimal distractions.
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Allow yourself plenty of time.
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Avoid thinking you need to cram.
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Strive for a relaxed state of concentration. Avoid speaking with any fellow students who have
not prepared, who express negativity, who will distract your preparation
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A program of exercise is good for you! And it has been said that it can sharpen the mind.
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Get a good night's sleep the night before the exam.
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Don't go to the exam with an empty stomach
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Take a small snack, or some other nourishment to help take your mind off of your anxiety.
More on Test Anxiety
During the test:
O Read the directions carefully
O Budget your test taking time
O Change positions to help you relax
O If you go blank, skip the question and go on
O If you're taking an essay test and you go blank, pick a question and
start writing. It may trigger the answer in your mind.
O Don't panic when students start handing in their papers. There's no
reward for finishing first.
Even MORE on Test Anxiety
If you find yourself tensing and getting anxious during the test:
O Relax; you are in control. Take slow, deep breaths
O Don't think about the fear.
O Pause: think about the next step and keep on task, step by step
O Use positive reinforcement for yourself: Acknowledge that you have
done, and are doing, your best
O Expect some anxiety.
O Realize that anxiety can be a "habit" and that it takes practice to use it as a
tool to succeed
Cramming with a Plan
A structured approach to cramming
O Preview material to be covered
O Be selective: Skim chapters for main points
O Concentrate on the main points
The Plan
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Begin with 5 sheets of paper.
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Identify 5 key concepts or topics that will be covered on the test
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In your own words, write an explanation, definition, answer, etc. of several lines or so for the key
concept. Do NOT use the text or your notes
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Compare your response with the course source information (text and lecture notes)
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Edit or re-write your understanding of each topic considering this course information
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Sequence and number each page of your topics. 1 - 5 in order of importance; 1 = most important
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Follow the above process for two additional concepts if you have time
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Place them in the 1 - 5 sequence and change numbering to 1 – 7
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Follow the above process for one or two more concepts for a total of nine.
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Review the day of the test, but try to relax just before
Taking On-line Tests
O Mastering or navigating technology should be your first concern:
O Make sure your computer, especially at home, is technically capable and has the
appropriate connection speed.
O Master the login process to access the test
Taking the test is not the time to experiment with passwords and/or navigating a course
website to find the test!
Can you review the test instructions in class before taking the test?
Do you need to create a login for the test, or use your student account?
What is the test website address (URL),
your student identification login, your test login?
If you take the test in a controlled environment,
what identification do you need?
If you need assistance taking the test, alert the teacher beforehand!
More on On-line Test Taking
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Once at the test index page, carefully read the instructions for answering questions:
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Is the time you take to complete the test tracked? If so, is there a clock you can
access for your time?
Can you save and return if interrupted?
Must you answer the questions in sequence?
Can you change answers?
Is there a review feature that lets you check your work, or check for unanswered
questions?
O After you have finished answering the questions:
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How do you save and exit so your work is not lost?
Is there a separate sequence from saving to turn in the test?
Will you get an alert about unanswered questions?
How do you access your score, or is your score immediately returned?
O Can you make a paper-backup of your responses?
O For short answer and essay questions, can you create and format your answer in
word processing, then copy and paste into the test question?
True-False Tests
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Every part of a true sentence must be "true.” O
Pay close attention to negatives, qualifiers, absolutes, and long strings of statements
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Negatives can be confusing.
If the question contains negatives, as "no, not, cannot"
Drop the negative and read what remains.
Decide whether that sentence is true or false.
If it is true, its opposite, or negative, is usually false
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Qualifiers are words that restrict or open up general statements.
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Absolute words restrict possibilities.
Long sentences often include groups of words set off by punctuation.
Pay attention to the "truth" of each of these phrases.
If one is false, it usually indicates a "false" answer
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Guessing: Often true/false tests contain more true answers than false answers. You have more
than 50% chance of being right with "true". However, your teacher may be the opposite. Review
pasts tests for patterns...
Multiple Choice Tests
Test strategies:
O Read the directions carefully.
O Know if each question has one or more correct option.
O Know if you are penalized for guessing.
O Know how much time is allowed. This governs your strategy.
O Preview the test.
O Read through the test quickly and answer the easiest questions first.
O Mark those you think you know in some way that is appropriate.
O Read through the test a second time and answer more difficult
questions.
O You may pick up cues for answers from the first reading, or become more
comfortable in the testing situation.
O If time allows, review both questions and answers.
O It is possible you misread questions the first time.
Short Answer Tests
A teacher's primary purpose in giving a short-answer test is to test
whether you have a foundation of knowing the material, usually factual.
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Prepare for the test
O Develop summary sheets of the course material information.
O Focus on key words, events, vocabulary, concepts.
O Organize and categorize the material, then review
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When taking the test
O Respond directly to the question or directive.
O Focus on keywords and ideas called for.
O Eliminate those that do not directly address the information requested in the test item.
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Respond and write concise answers
O Connect key facts into short sentences according to the test instructions.
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If you can think of several answers, let the instructor know. O The instructor may give you a clue to the correct answer wanted.
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A guess made with common sense could get you more test points than if you leave an answer
blank.
Open Book Exams
You will be expected to
O apply material to new situations
O analyze elements and relationships O synthesize, or structure
O evaluate using your material as evidence
O Access to content (books, notes, etc.) varies by instructor.
O The exam can be take home or in the classroom with
questions seen or unseen before exam time
O Do not underestimate the preparation needed for an open
book exam: your time will be limited, so the key is proper
organization in order to quickly find data, quotes,
examples, and/or arguments you use in your answers.
More on Open Book Exams
Preparation:
O Keep current on readings and assignments in class
O Prepare brief, concise notes on ideas and concepts being tested
O Select what you intend to bring with you to the exam, and note anything significant
about what you do not
O Include your own commentary on the information that will provide fuel for your
arguments, and demonstrate that you have thought this through
O Anticipate with model questions, but not model answers.
O Challenge yourself instead with how you would answer questions, and what options
and resources you may need to consider.
O Organize your reference materials, your "open book:" Make your reference materials
as user-friendly as possible so that you don't lose time locating what you need.
O Familiarize yourself with the format, layout and structure of your text books and source
materials
O Organize these with your class notes for speedy retrieval, and index ideas and
concepts with pointers and/or page numbers in the source material. Develop a system
of tabs/sticky notes, color coding, concept maps, etc. to mark important summaries,
headings, sections.
O Write short, manageable summaries of content for each grouping.
O List out data and formulas separately for easy access.
Need more?
Contact
Laura J. Clark
College Success Coach
Paul D. Camp Community College - Franklin Campus
Phone: 757-569-6780
E-mail: lclark@pdc.edu
Office: Admissions – Room 126E
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm
Additional times available upon request