TEST TAKING
PREPARATION
BEGINS THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS
Presentation provided by UTPB West Texas Literacy Center, an HSI funded program. HSI is a federally
funded program granted by the Department of Education Title V programs.
Developed by Ana Miller, M.A., Reading Specialist
Test Anxiety: How Do We
Develop Feelings of Panic?
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Past experiences
Inadequate preparation
Why prepare?
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Less anxiety
No time constraints
Access to books notes, and tutors
Answers are in your book, handouts, notes,
other resources
Preparedness = Improved performance
Test Preparedness
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Analyze the professor’s test technique
Complete projects and papers well before
scheduled exams
Create study guides and flash cards as you
take notes
Adjust your study method. For objective tests,
focus on specific details. For essay exams,
focus on broad concepts and relationships.
Types of Tests
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Open book
Computation
Essay
Short answer
Fill in the blank
True-false (objective)
Multiple choice (objective)
Open Book Tests
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Prepare
Become extremely familiar with the book,
handouts, study guides
If you are allowed, make a reference sheet to
save time
Focus on main ideas and where you can find
them in the book or other approved materials
Highlight important points, use post-it-notes,
add notes IF ALLOWED
Open Book Tests Continued
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Take all resources the professor has
approved
Answer the questions you know, then go to
your resources
Use your book and other resources as a back
up and for verification
Computation Tests
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Understand why, when, and how to use specific
formulas
Create a formula study sheet and use it as a review
When you receive the test, write down the formulas
you can remember in the margin of the test
READ ALL DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY
Show ALL work (partial credit)
Check over the test
Essay Exams
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Read the directions carefully
Read and analyze the questions critically
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Be sure that you understand the question.
Do a “Memory Dump” –Quickly write out memorized dates,
names or points, so you can relax, think, and write
Create a quick outline or other organizational format
Begin with a thesis sentence and refer to your major points
Focus on one main point per paragraph
Use the technical vocabulary and define the terms
Proofread
Watch the time
BE NEAT
Understand the Question
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COMPARE = Examine qualities of what is being compared,
stress similarities
CONTRAST = Examine qualities of what is being contrasted,
stress differences
CRITIQUE = Evaluate merits and faults
DEFINE = Brief, clear meaning
DESCRIBE = Objectively tell about something, do not evaluate it
DIAGRAM = Create an appropriate, labeled chart, plan, or
drawing
DISCUSS = Make a detailed analysis (study), including
description and/or comparison, contrast, or evaluation
Understand the Question
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ENUMERATE = List and briefly discuss the required
points
EVALUATE = State your opinion, supported by
examples; give advantages and disadvantages
EXPLAIN = Clarify and interpret, stating “how” and
“why,” including expert opinion if appropriate
ILLUSTRATE = Literally draw a graph or create a
clear example
INTERPRET = Translate, give examples, solve, or
discuss; include your judgment or feelings
JUSTIFY = Give evidence to support your
conclusions
Understand the Question
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LIST= List and briefly discuss required points
OUTLINE = Give an organized description, focusing
on major points and supporting details
PROVE = Confirm or verify; use logical reasoning to
make your points, or state evidence and evaluate it
REVIEW = Critically and systematically examine,
analyzing each major point
STATE = Briefly express main points
SUMMARIZE = Write a condensed discussion of
main points or facts
TRACE = Describe a series of events in
chronological or other appropriate order
Objective Tests
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Answer the easiest questions first
Read all of each question and the choices
carefully before selecting an answer
When you must guess, eliminate first
For true/false questions, assume that a
statement is true until you prove otherwise
Always write something on fill-in-the-blank
questions
Think about the question
Objective Tests Continued
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Should you guess? YES, but consider this:
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Use of absolute words (all, none, always never)
Often untrue
Use of moderate qualifiers (often, frequently, many…)
more likely to be true
Look for clues within the question itself
Longer, more detailed answers tend to be correct.
If two answers are total opposites, one is likely to be
correct
If two answers are very similar, it is likely that both are
incorrect
Fill-In-The-Blank Tests
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Remember basic rules:
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Unless directions say otherwise, one word per blank
The length of the blank is not necessarily a clue to the
length of the word
The completed sentence should make sense and be
grammatically correct
Blanks separated by commas, indicate a series of
items
Several blank lines without commas indicate a phrase
with a specific number of words.
The word “an” before a blank indicates that the
needed word begins with a vowel sound.
Fill-In-The-Blank Tests
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Answer the questions you know, bypass the
difficult ones
Return to the difficult questions; using
delayed response
Those questions remaining, apply assisted
response, skim through the items that will
trigger an association to the needed word
Finally, WRITE SOMETHING
If time permits, review
REVIEW
Review- Look for skipped items, answers marked in
the wrong space, or illegible answers
SHOULD YOU CHANGE ANSWERS?
 Know your own history
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Do you tend to find wrong answers and correct them?
Then continue to do so.
Do you tend to second guess yourself and change
right answers to wrong ones? Then be cautious.
Change only if you realize that you misread or
misunderstood the question on the first attempt or if
you recall a relevant fact that warrants changing an
answer
Oral Tests
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Confirm time and place
Take visual aids and props
Dress appropriately
Be early
Turn off cell phone
Maintain eye contact
Maintain correct posture
Speak clearly and with proper formal grammar and
diction
Speak in complete sentences
Thank the instructor
Test Taking Tips Worth
Repeating!!!
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PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE-START EARLY!!!
Arrive early and prepared
Read ALL the directions carefully
Preview the exam before you begin
Plan your time
Read all of the question and choices completely and carefully
Answer the easiest questions first
Answer every question, even if you have to guess (unless there
is a guessing penalty-ask the professor)
Review if time permits
Post Test
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Relax and celebrate
Carefully analyze the errors when the test is
graded and returned
Ask the professor for clarification if you do not
understand why you lost points
Disappointed by Your Grade?
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Seek the professor’s advice with the attitude
that you want to improve next time.
Remember test taking is a skill that requires
TIME AND EFFORT to develop.
You may want to seek assistance:
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Literacy Center- Ana Miller MB 4180
Math & Science Center- Jill Miller MB 4180
Writing Center- Kellye Manning MB 2100
Mentor program- Stephanie Hernandez MB 4109
SI (Supplemental Instruction) Dr. Castro Pass Office
References
Feldman, Shattles, & McKenzie. (2004).Oracle
EDU 1110. Unpublished manuscript,
Southern Methodist
University, Dallas, TX