1. Multiple Choice Test Success Brought to you by the Cal Maritime SEAS Center

2. SEAS Asks… What are your challenges with multiple choice tests?

3. Practice Quiz #1 Test Wiseness Quiz This is for practice only. Take your best guesses!

4. Test Wiseness Key 1 = AOnly “overture” works to complete the sentence because the sentence ends with “an”. 2 = BThe “inkle” in the question is repeated in answer b. 3 = BVictorious is the “odd one out” because the other three answers all mean “defeated.” 4 = DThe last alternative is significantly longer; added detail usually indicates right answer. 5 = ANepal is the “odd one out”; other three are English- speaking, industrialized countries. 6 = CWhen there is nothing else to go on, “C” is more likely to be used by exam creators. 7 = B“Glucose” is the only answer that is spelled correctly; exam creators may proofread by reading only the question and correct answer.

5. How’d You Do? Ultimately, understanding the material gives you the best chance of performing well on a test. However, there are strategies that can help you make your best educated guess when necessary.

6. Selecting the Best Answer Statements containing absolute words are more likely to be false. AbsolutelyAllAlwaysBestEntirelyEvery InvariablyMustNeverNoneOnlyNo one Statements containing qualifying words are usually true. CanFewFrequentlyGenerallyMight MostMuchOftenMayProbably SeldomSomeSometimesUsually Statements containing negatives or double negatives can be confusing. Cross out the negatives, then read the statement and ask if it is true or not. Coffee is not a non alcoholic beverage = coffee is a(n) alcoholic beverage = false

7. Selecting the Best Answer Use caution when “all of the above” or (“none of the above”) is an option. All parts of each selection must be true (or false) in order for this to work. Look for the odd selection out in either language or content (providing it seems like a possible option). The answer with added detail is most likely to be correct.

8. Selecting the Best Answer Still no idea? Look for grammatical cues. Consider the options in reverse order (E to A instead of A to E). Go with your gut! When all else fails, C is statistically slightly more likely than any other letter to be selected by exam creators.

9. Test-Taking Game Plan o Pay attention to the instructions, both spoken and written. o Get organized. o Look over the test and get an overview. o Check out the point value of each section and plan your time accordingly.

10. Managing Test Time 50 questions x 1 pt = 50 pts 4 questions x 5 pts = 20 pts 2 questions x 15 pts = 30 pts ------------------------------------- Total Test Pts = 100 50 Minute Test 50 pts 50% of time 25 minutes 20 pts 20% of time 10 minutes 30 pts 30% of time 15 minutes

11. Test-Taking Game Plan Do what you know first. Read the questions carefully. o Circle key words that help determine what the question is actually asking. Resist panic! Avoid last-minute answer-changing. o When you get your test back, take time to review it.

12. Practice Quiz #2 Inventions of LOK and ZIB Time to apply what we learned. There’s no failing. Make your best guesses!

13. Question 1 1. In his famous study of infant baboons, Bourth showed that the effect of SAB was: a. they inevitably displayed a submission posture b. all infants reacted with instant aggression c. afterwards, they never showed affection for their mothers d. they tended to isolate themselves from the group e. they retreated in every case Avoid “absolutes” – inevitably, all, never, every case Answer is D.

14. Question 2 2.When comparing LOK and ZIB, Hobson's experiments found that: a. LOK is easier b. ZIB is easier c. ZIB is more difficult d. both a & b e. both b & c A & B cannot both be true, D is out. B & C cannot both be true, E is out. A & C are saying the same thing, both are out. Answer is B.

15. Question 3 3.Which of the following is best known for his classic study of memory in children? a. S. Bourth b. R. Smith c. Q. Bevem d. H. Lawson e. P. Jones The question asks for the “best known” name; question # 6 refers to Smith’s work with memory. Answer is B.

16. Question 4 4.The western state with the highest number of KUGS in 1951 was: a.Oregon b.New York c.Denver d.Pennsylvania e.Los Angeles The reference to KUGS is unimportant. The question is asking for a western state, which means Oregon is the only correct answer. Answer is A.

17. Question 5 5. One difficulty in trying to teach DAK to children under twelve is that: a. most students forget it easily b. it includes advanced mathematics c. it tends to be hard to remember d. advanced mathematics is involved e. none of the above A & C say the same thing; cancel both. B & D say the same thing; cancel both. The answer is E.

18. Question 6 6.The research of R. Smith shows that the effect of GIK on human memory was: a. people become more active in their everyday movements b. relaxation increases up to a point c. the children's recall is made more difficult d. appetites generally improve e. in most cases sex drive diminishes Only answer C addresses the question.

19. Question 7 7.The effect of HIG on performance tests in college is: a.eye movements are associated with dreaming about 80% of the time b.HIG reduces average performance c.following HIG, scores tend to increase d.HIG results in much lower scores in every case e.most scores are higher after HIG Answer A talks about eye movement & dreaming (off topic) Answer C & E say the same thing, cancel them out. Answer D uses “every” as an absolute condition. Answer B is the correct answer.

20. After the Test When you get the test back, analyze your errors. You may find a pattern to them that you can avoid the next time. 1.Did you rush through multiple-choice questions? 2.Were you confused by negative questions? 3.Did you simply not know the terminology? 4.Did you overlook the "non-technical" words? Finally, old exams are a valuable study guide.

21. Thanks for Participating! For information about other SEAS workshops, visit http://www.csum.edu/web/seas. http://www.csum.edu/web/seas