Test and Assignment Preparation Strategies QUIZ
Take the following quiz to determine how well you’re already doing in being
prepared for tests and assignments!
Rank each statement using the following:
3 – ALWAYS
2- SOMETIMES
1- HARDLY EVER OR NEVER
1. I set a positive mood for my studies and assignment work, and schedule a
productive time to study, find a less distracting space etc. _____
2. I vary my study and homework activities to include not just reading, but also
discussions with other peers and hands-on work (writing, typing). _____
3. I organize and centralize notes and assignments, both in a notebook and on
my computer. _____
4. Each week I dedicate a short time to review my notes and assignments, and
then evaluate my progress. _____
5. Before each class and study session, I review the assignment and my notes.
_____
6. I consistently plan ahead for test studying and assignment work so that I have
enough time to adequately prepare. _____
7. After studying a unit, I transfer my learning to my own notes and examples.
_____
8. I make note of what I don’t understand, and then do what it takes to get
clarification (through my teacher, tutors, my text book, the Internet etc.) _____
9. I separate out concepts and terms that are new to me, and discuss them with
others in the class and with my teacher. _____
10. I reward myself for tests and assignments that are well done. _____
TOTAL: _______ / 30
Scoring:
 22-30 points – You are already doing lots of things correctly when it comes to
your test and assignment preparation. Stay tuned for more helpful tips!
 14 – 21 points – You are doing some things right when it comes to test and
assignment preparation, but there is definitely room for improvement.
 13 points or under – You will definitely benefit from improving your skills in
good test and assignment preparation – these tips could make a big difference
to your success as a student!
Phase One: Test Preparation
Learning of Course Content:
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Take good notes in your class lectures and textbooks
Review your notes soon after class/lecture
Review notes briefly before the next class
Schedule some time at the end of the week for a longer review
Reviewing Course Content:
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Take good notes, both during lessons and while you are studying. Focus
on what your teacher tells you what will be on the test.
Organize your notes, texts, and assignments according to what will be on
the test.
Estimate the hours you'll need to review materials and then double the time
you have to study!
Draw up a schedule that blocks off units of time and the material you will
study in that time.
Test yourself on the material or have a parent or peer test you.
Finish your studying the day before the test so you can just do final review
the night before.
Anticipating What’s On the Test
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Pay particular attention to any review guides that your teacher hands out
in class before the test, or even at the beginning of the course! For
example: key points, particular chapters, handouts, etc.
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Ask the instructor what to anticipate on the test if he/she does not
volunteer the information
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Pay particular attention--just prior to the test-to points the instructor
brings up during class lessons
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Generate a list of possible questions you would ask if you were making the
test, then see if you can answer the questions
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Review previous tests graded by the instructor to see common areas where
you made mistakes or lost marks.
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Talk with other students to predict what will be on the test
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Pay particular attention to clues that indicate a teacher might test for a
particular idea, as when a teacher:
o says something more than once
o writes material on the board
o pauses to review notes
o asks questions of the class
o says, "This will be on the test!"
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Create study checklists
Identify all of the material that you will be tested on— list notes, formulas,
ideas, and text assignments you are accountable for.
This checklist will enable you to break your studying into organized, manageable chunks,
which should allow for a comprehensive review plan with minimal anxiety
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Create summary notes and "maps"
Briefly map out the important ideas of the course and the relationships of
these ideas. Summary notes should display lists and hierarchies of ideas.
Creativity and a visual framework will help you recall these ideas.
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Create flashcards for definitions, formulas, or lists that you need to have
memorized--put topics on one side of the card, answers on the other.
Flashcards will enable you to test your ability to not only recognize important information,
but also your ability to retrieve information from scratch
Coping With Test Anxiety: Before the Test
Most students experience some level of anxiety during an exam. However,
when anxiety affects exam performance it has become a problem.
General preparation/building confidence:
1. Review your personal situation and skills – what do you
know you are already good at?
2. Guidance counsellors and teachers can help you in:
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Developing good study habits and strategies
Managing time - dealing with procrastination, distractions, laziness
Organizing material to be studied and learned - take a step by step
approach to build a strategy and not get overwhelmed
Dealing with outside pressures - success/failure consequences
(grades, graduation), peer pressure, competitiveness, etc.
Reviewing your past performance on tests to improve and learn from
experience
Test preparation to reduce anxiety:
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Approach the exam with confidence:
 Use whatever strategies you can to personalize
success: visualization, logic, talking to your self, practice, team
work, journaling, etc.
 View the exam as an opportunity to show how much you've
studied and to receive a reward for the studying you've done
Be prepared! Learn your material thoroughly and organize what
materials you will need for the test.
Choose a comfortable location for taking the test with good lighting
and minimal distractions
Allow yourself plenty of time, especially to do things you need to do
before the test and still get there a little early
Avoid thinking you need to cram just before – with good time
management, this won’t be necessary
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
Exercise is said to sharpen the mind – try to maintain regular physical
activity in the day’s leading up to the test.
Get a good night's sleep the night before the test
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Don't go to the test with an empty stomach. Fresh fruits and
vegetables are often recommended to reduce stress. Stressful foods
can include processed foods, artificial sweeteners, carbonated soft
drinks, chocolate, eggs, fried foods, junk foods, pork, red meat, sugar,
white flour products, chips and similar snack foods, foods containing
preservatives or heavy spices.
Take a small snack, or some other nourishment to help take your mind
off of your anxiety. Avoid high sugar content (candy) which may
aggravate your condition.
Other Tips….
Begin reviewing early. This will give your brain time to get comfortable
with the information.
Conduct short daily review sessions. You can ease into a more intense
review session prior to major tests.
Read text assignments before classes. This will help you identify concepts that
the teacher considers important and that are already somewhat familiar
Review notes immediately after lectures. This will help you identify information
that you do not understand while the lecture is still fresh in your memory--and
other students' memories as well. When you review immediately, you'll have time to
clarify information with other students.
Review with a group. This will enable you to cover important material that you
may overlook on your own
Conduct a major review early enough to allow for a visit to the teacher during
their extra help times if necessary
Break up the study tasks into manageable chunks especially during major
reviews prior to tests.
Break up your study time. Studying three hours in the morning and three in the
evening will be more effective than studying at a six hour stretch. Studying while
you are mentally fatigued is usually a waste of time! Study the most difficult
material when you are alert!
Coping with Test Anxiety: During the Test
While writing the test…
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Read the directions carefully
Budget your test taking time
Change positions to help you relax
If you go blank, skip the question and go on
If you're taking an essay test and you go blank on the
whole test, pick a question and start writing. It may
trigger the answer in your mind
Don't panic when students start handing in their papers. There's no
reward for being done first!
If you find yourself tensing and getting anxious during the test…
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Relax; you are in control. Take slow, deep breaths
Don't think about the fear. Just pause and think about the next step
and keep on task, step by step.
Use positive reinforcement for yourself: acknowledge that you have
done, and are doing, your best.
Expect some anxiety. It's a reminder that you want to do your best
and can provide energy - just keep it manageable.
Realize that anxiety can be a "habit" and that it takes practice to use
it as a tool to succeed.
After the test, review how you did…
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List what worked, and hold onto these strategies
It does not matter how small the items are: they are building blocks
to success
List what did not work for improvement
Celebrate that you are on the road to
overcoming this obstacle
Phase Two: Tips for Test-Taking
1. Analyze how you did on a similar test in the past. Review previous tests
and sample tests, because each one can prepare you for the style of
question, length, and difficulty level of the next.
2. Arrive early for the test. In the days leading up to the test, write down
everything you need to bring with you (pencils, ruler, calculator etc.) Good
preparation helps you focus on the task at hand.
3. Be comfortable but alert. If you can pick your spot in the room, do so
consciously – somewhere far from the door or other distractions. Try not to
slouch and make sure you have lots of space to work.
4. Stay relaxed and confident, and have a good attitude. Remind yourself
that you are well-prepared and are going to do well as a result. If you find
yourself becoming anxious, take several, slow, deep breaths to relax. Don’t
talk to other students just before entering the testing room – anxiety is
contagious!
5. Read the directions for each question carefully. Take your
time in doing this so you avoid making silly errors.
6. If there is time, quickly look through the test to get
an overview. Note key terms and jot down brief notes.
Mark the test with questions or thoughts in the margins
to keep concepts fresh in your mind. Ask for clarification if needed!
7. Answer questions in a strategic order. Answer easy questions first to
build your confidence, score points, and mentally get used to terms, concepts
or ideas being emphasized on the test. This may also help you make
associations with more difficult questions.
With objective tests, first eliminate those answers that you know to be
wrong, or are likely to be wrong, or don’t seem to fit. With essay style
tests, broadly outline your answer and sequence the order of your points.
8. Review your answers to the test. Resist the urge to leave right away, and
instead, check that you have answered all questions and have not mis-read
directions or omitted important information.
9. Don’t panic when you don’t know an answer. Remember that no one
(except maybe you!) is expecting a 100% on the test. Simply put down the
best, most accurate and thorough answer you possibly can for each question.
10. Reflect on which test-preparation strategies work best for you. Repeat
those habits that worked well and replace those that don’t!
Tips and Tricks for Different Kinds of Test Questions
Multiple Choice:
 Read the question carefully. Try to determine what the correct option will
be before you look at those for that question.
 Read the options. Eliminate those options which you know are not true.
 Connect the remaining options to the question and look for any details in the
question or options that would allow you to identify the correct statement
(i.e. “never”, “always” etc.) Which one matches your original answer?
True or False:
 Read the statement carefully.
 Look for any descriptive terms (always, never etc.) that would
clearly make the statement true or false.
 If in doubt, guess – you have a 50% chance of getting it right!
Matching:
 For each term, state the definition in your mind before you look
at the possibilities. Then match the definition on the test to
your definition.
Definitions:
 Provide the clearest, most accurate description of the term possible, and
include an example to illustrate your understanding of the term.
Short Answer:
 Read the question carefully – check that you know what is being asked.
 Look at the number of marks awarded for the question. This should give you
an idea of the number of points required.
 Answer exactly what is being asked in the question, offering an explanation
where possible. The amount of space available often indicates how in depth
you need to go with your answer. Consider key terms or points the teacher
may be looking for.
Long Answer:
 Read the question carefully and be sure that you know what is being asked.
 Look at the number of marks awarded for the question. This should give you
an idea of the number of points required.
 Do a brief outline of the answer you intend to write. Be sure that your
points tie back to the original question.
 Include an introduction, body, and conclusion to your answer. Again, use the
amount of space available to indicate how long your answer needs to be.
Essay-Style or Paragraph-Style Questions:
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Look at the question and form a topic sentence that clearly states your
opinion on the issue. For example, although George killed Lennie in Of Mice
and Men, I believe George was Lennie's friend.
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Plan out three points (reasons) to support their topic sentence. For example,
George included Lennie in his dreams, George defended Lennie and George
insured Lennie was taken care of.
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Identify specific details (proofs) from the text to support your points. For
example, George dreamt of him and Lennie owning a farm with rabbits and an
alfalfa patch so the could live of the fat of the land.
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Write a clear explanation for each point and proof discussing how your ideas
demonstrate that George was Lennie's friend.
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Finish with a concluding sentence.
Steps to Good Assignment Preparation
For any subject area!!
1. Listen carefully when your teacher outlines the key steps of the
assignment. Ask questions for clarification as needed.
2. Review the assignment guidelines on your own, including the marking
scheme. Make sure you understand exactly what you are being asked
to do.
3. Break down the assignment into manageable parts or phases for you to
complete. Your teacher may have already “chunked” the assignment in
this way for you.
4. For each part, write out the individual steps you’ll need to take to
complete that part.
5. For each part, estimate the amount of time it will take to complete
that part. Be as realistic as possible and add extra time to each part
“just in case.”
6. Plan out exactly when you will complete each part of the assignment.
Plan to finish it at least 2 days before the due date so you don’t have
to rush at the last minute.
7. Ask your teacher if you could show them the assignment for their
feedback before it’s due so you can make any suggested changes.
8. Do a final check of the assignment to ensure that you met all of the
guidelines and completed all of the required steps.
9. Submit the assignment ON TIME!
Assignment Preparation – Working Template
Assignment to be completed:________________________________________
Class: __________________________
Due Date:_____________________
 Listed carefully to when teacher outlined assignment guidelines.
 Reviewed the assignment on your own including the marking scheme.
 Assignment Parts:
1. ____________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________
 Steps for each part numbered above.
1. a) ___________________________________________________
b) __________________________________________________
c) __________________________________________________
2. a)___________________________________________________
b) __________________________________________________
c)__________________________________________________
3. a) __________________________________________________
b) __________________________________________________
c) __________________________________________________
4. a) __________________________________________________
b) __________________________________________________
c) __________________________________________________
 Time estimated to complete each part.
1. ______ hours 2. _____ hours
3. _____ hours
 When will each part be completed?
Part
Day
1
2
3
4
4. _____ hours
Time (from….to)
 Teacher looked over and provided feedback before deadline.
 Final check of assignment completed using assignment guidelines.
 Assignment submitted on time.