Study Skills
Exam Techniques
Counselling Unit,
UWI, Mona
Quotation for Discussion
Learn from the mistakes of
others—you can never live long
enough to make them all yourself.
—John Luther
Disarm Tests
Grades are what we use to give
power to tests
Let go of your misconceptions about
grades
Don’t exaggerate the pressure
on yourself
Keep the risk in perspective
Remember…
Grades are not measures of:
– Intelligence
– Creativity
– Self-worth
Test scores do not measure
accomplishment in a course—
they measure performance on a test
Before the exams
Work consistently throughout the
semester
Get sufficient sleep
Ensure an adequate diet
Maintain your exercise regime
Check time, date and place of each
exam
On the day of the exam
After a good night’s rest, have an
adequate meal
Ensure you have all that you will
need for the exam
Get to your exam centre at least 10
minutes before the exam
Spend that time relaxing in
preparation for the exam
During the exam
Read all directions TWICE before
you begin the exam
Orient yourself to the total exam –
read through all the questions
Establish a time schedule before you
start to answer the questions and
stick with it
Choose questions that you feel you
know the best
Outline each answer before you
begin
In the margins, jot down memory
aids, formulas, equations, facts
Start with you second best question
first
Look for answers in other questions
Always leave time to review and edit
your answers
If short on time, offer an outline for
what you intended to say
Multiple-Choice Questions
Check directions to see if more than
one answer is called for
Answer questions in your head
before looking at answer choices
Read all answers to each question
before selecting one
Your first instinct is usually best
Use guessing techniques when
appropriate
True/False Questions
Answer quickly
Read carefully
Look for qualifiers
– All
– Most
– Sometimes
– Never
– Rarely
Absolute qualifiers often indicate
false statements
– Always
– Never
Essay Questions
Find out precisely what the question
is asking
Make a quick outline
Get right to the point
Put the most solid supporting points first
Words to Watch
for in Essay Questions
Analyze
Define
Compare
Criticize
Describe
Discuss
Contrast
Explain
Prove
Relate
State
Summarize
Trace
“F” Is for Feedback, not Failure
Getting an “F” means only that you
failed a test—not your life
An “F” is feedback that you didn’t
understand the material
Feedback helps you change to
promote future success
Studying with Others
Test each other
Set an agenda
Teach each other
Three at a computer
Compare notes
Create wall-sized mind
maps
Brainstorm test
questions
Lecture each other
Ask for personal
support
The Costs of Cheating
We learn less
We lose money
Fear of getting
caught promotes
stress
Violating our
values promotes
stress
Cheating once
makes it easier to
compromise our
integrity
Cheating lowers
our self-concept
Let Go of Test Anxiety
Deal with your THOUGHTS
Deal with your FEELINGS
Dealing with Thoughts
Yell “Stop!”
Daydream
Visualize success
Focus
Praise yourself
Consider the worst
Zoom out
Dealing with Feelings
Breathe
Scan your body
Tense and relax
Use guided imagery
Dealing with Feelings
Describe it
Be with it
Exercise aerobically
Get help
Power Process: Detach
Power Process: Detach
Attachments are addictions
We can be attached to emotions as
well as thoughts
Ways to Recognize
an Attachment
Strong emotions—feeling irritated,
angry, jealous, confused…
Feelings of nervousness, weakness,
or nausea
Four Ways to Detach
Practice observer consciousness
Put your own circumstances into a
larger perspective
Ask: “What’s the worst that could
happen?”
Use breathing and relaxation
techniques
Cautions When Using Detachment
Giving up an addiction to getting an
“A” is different from giving up being
an “A” student
Detachment is different from denial
Being detached is not the same as
being apathetic
Master Student
Barbara Jordan
“. . . it occurred to me that if I
was going to succeed at this
strange new adventure, I would
have to read longer and more
thoroughly than my colleagues . .
.”
Remember, tests are opportunities
to demonstrate your mastery
After the exam
Avoid a post mortem
Take a few hours break, get some
rest and begin to prepare for the
next exam
If this is your last exam….
GO OUT AND HAVE SOME FUN
References
Ellis, D. (1994) Becoming a Master Student
(7th ed.) Rapid City, SD. Houghton Mifflin
Co.
Ellis, D. (2003) Becoming a Master Student
(10th ed.) Rapid City, SD. Houghton Mifflin
Co.
http://college.hmco.com/collegesurvival/elli
s/master_student/10e/students/