Peak Performance:
Success In College And Beyond
Chapter 8
Excel At Taking Tests
McGraw-Hill
Copyright © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Learning Outcomes
• Prepare for tests
• Describe strategies for taking tests
• Use test results
• Take different types of tests
• Use special tips for math and science
tests
• Overcome test anxiety
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Success Principle 8
Focus on UNDERSTANDING,
not testing.
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Test-Taking Strategies
Before the Test
– Start on day one
– Know
expectations
– Ask questions in
class
– Keep up
– Review
immediately
– Review weekly
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Test-Taking Strategies
– Do a final review
– Use memory techniques
– Create sample tests
– Summarize
– Use your study team
– Use all available
resources
– Assemble what you will
need
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Test-Taking Strategies
During the test
– Read and listen to all instructions
– Write down key
information
– Scan the entire
test
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Test-Taking Strategies
– Answer objective questions
– Answer essay questions
– Answer remaining questions
– Review
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Test-Taking Strategies
After the test
– Reward yourself
– Analyze and assess
• Confirm your grade
• Determine common types of
mistakes
• Learn what to do differently next
time
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Test-Taking Strategies
 Did I read the test before I started?
 What were my strengths? What did I do
right?
 What questions did I miss?
 Did I miss clues in the test?
“We learn more by looking for the answer to
a question and not finding it than we do
from learning the answer itself.”
Lloyd Alexander
Author
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Test-Taking Strategies
 Did I ask the instructor for
clarification?
 How well did I know the content on
which I was being tested?
 What should I have studied more?
 Did I anticipate the style and format
of the questions?
 What didn’t I expect?
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Test-Taking Strategies
 Did I have trouble with certain types
of questions?
 Did I test myself with the right
questions?
 Did I handle test anxiety well?
 Would it have helped if I had studied
with others?
 What changes will I make in studying
for the next test?
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Test-Taking Strategies
– Review with
your
instructor
– Review the
test with
your study
team
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Taking Different Types of Tests
True/False Tests
– Read the entire question before
answering
– Pay attention to details
– Watch for qualifiers
– Watch for faulty cause and effect
– Always answer every question
– Trust your instincts
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Taking Different Types of Tests
Multiple-Choice Tests
– Read the question
carefully
– Rephrase the question
– Cover the potential
answers
– Eliminate choices
– Go from easy to
difficult
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Taking Different Types of Tests
– Watch for
combinations
– Look at
sentence
structure
– Use critical
thinking
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Taking Different Types of Tests
Matching Tests
– Read carefully
– Eliminate
– Look for
clues
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Taking Different Types of Tests
Fill-In-The-Blank Tests
– Watch for grammatical clues
– Count the number of blanks
– Watch for the length of the
blank
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Taking Different Types of Tests
Open-Book Tests
• Typically goes beyond basic recall
• Requires preparation
• Mark important areas in book
• Requires critical thinking
• Use your own words
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Taking Different Types of Tests
Essay Tests
– Budget your writing time
– Read the question carefully
– Create an outline
– Focus on main points
– Write concisely and correctly
– Use key terms and phrases
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Taking Different Types of Tests
– Answer completely
– Write neatly
– Use all the available time
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Special Strategies for Math and
Science Tests
• Use note cards
• Write key
information
• Write the
problem in
longhand
• Make an estimate
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Special Strategies for Math and
Science Tests
• Illustrate the problem
• Ask yourself
questions
• Show your work
• Do a similar
problem
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“’Obvious’ is the most
dangerous word in
mathematics.”
Eric Temple Bell
Mathematician, author
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Special Strategies for Math and
Science Tests
• State answers in the simplest terms
• Pay attention to the sign
• Check your work
• Review
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Last-Minute Study Tips
• Focus on a few points
• Intend to be positive
• Review your note cards
• Review your notes
• Affirm your memory
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Overcome Obstacles
Test Anxiety
– Dispute negative thoughts and
conversations
– Rehearse
– Get regular exercise
– Eat breakfast
“It’s not whether you
get knocked down, it’s
whether you get up.”
Vince Lombardi
Professional football coach
– Visualize success
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Overcoming Obstacles
– Stay calm
– Get to class early
– Focus
– Keep a sense of
perspective
– Get help
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Overcoming Obstacles
Cheating
• Violates your
integrity
• Erodes confidence
• Creates academic
problems
• Increases stress
• Brings high risks
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Peak Performance:
Success In College And Beyond
Chapter 8
Excel At Taking Tests
McGraw-Hill
Copyright © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.