Test-Taking Skills
Or how you learned to love -- or at
least like, okay, maybe just pass -academic testing
The Usual Suspects…

True / False

Multiple Choice

Quantitative

Short Answer

Essay

Open Book
Before the test…

Analyze past test results.

Arrive early.

Review the test first, assessing its
worth.
True and False…

Every part of a true sentence must be
true.

Note negatives, qualifiers, absolutes,
and long strings of statements.

Review a teacher’s past test for
patterns.
Multiple Choice Tests

Read directions slowly.

Know if each question has more than one
correct option.

Know if you’re penalized for guessing.

Select the option that most closely
resembles your answer.

Choose the truest option.
But how do we eliminate
Difficult options?

Give each option a true/false test.

Question options that don’t grammatically fit
with the sentence.

Doubt completely unfamiliar options.

Question options with negative and/or
absolute words.

Consider and perhaps choose “look-alike”
options.
Quantitative Tests
The Count says:
I vant to help you count one,
two, three, four, many, many ways!
According to the Count…

Read the entire test first.

First work on the problems you definitely can solve
to build confidence.

Be aware of time constraints. Devote less time to
easier questions, more to harder ones.

Complete as much of a problem as possible.
According to the Count
(again)…

When you get your exam, write down all the
key formulas on the margin of your paper.

Read the directions carefully and answer all
parts of the question.

Always show your work.

Always, always, always review your
answers!
Short Answers
Use grammatical clues to finish an
answer.
 Let the instructor know if multiple
answers could work.
 A common sense guess is better than
a blank.
 Write answers in simple, concise
sentences. Information is valued more
than style.

Essays
Create a schedule to answer and
review each essay.
 Outline your ideas. Know the essay’s
beginning and end.
 Underline the topic’s key words and
ideas, and be sure to address them.
 Don’t embellish; write your points.
 Strive for clarity, completeness, and
compactness.

Essays (continued)

For the introduction, briefly introduce topic,
and transition to thesis.

An assertion, example(s), and explanation
should structure each paragraph.

Restate main points in conclusion, and
leave readers something to ponder.
Open Book Tests

These tests evaluate your
understanding rather than
memorization.

You will apply material to new
situations.

You will use your material as evidence
for evaluations.
To prepare for an open book
test…

Study! Prepare as you would for a
regular test.

To help you find material, highlight
information in different colors.

But you must understand the
information to succeed. The book
should supplement your own
knowledge.
THE END!
“This is helpful!
Let me count
the ways!”
Works Cited




Department of Mathematics at Saint Louis University. “Success in Mathematics.” Saint
Louis University. June 1993. Saint Louis University. 03 November 2007
<http://euler.slu.edu/Dept/SuccessinMath.html>.
Landsberger, Joe. “Ten Tips for Test Taking.” Study Guides and Strategies. November
2007. 07 November 2007 <http://www.studygs.net/tsttak1.htm>.
Richard, Cathy. “Study Skills.” Nicholls State University. Elkins Hall, Thibodaux. 23
August 2007.
“Test Taking Tips.” Test Taking Tips. 2006. 07 November
2007.<http://www.testtakingtips.com/>.