1. Test Taking Strategies for Aviation Meteorology (AMT 220)
©Husman, Weinstein, & Steiner, 2002

2. The Two Parts to Test-Taking
Preparing before the test
studying, reviewing
Taking the test
It is important to let the students know up front that although there are things you can tell them to improve their test taking for this test, it is how they prepare for the test in the WEEKS prior to the the test that really make the difference, not what they do the week of the test, or during the test.
©Husman, Weinstein, & Steiner, 2002

3. Strategies to Assist you This Week
Recognize that the Mid term exam you are going to take is multiple choice.
This week you need to start studying for a multiple choice exam, rather than a problem based test.
©Husman, Weinstein, & Steiner, 2002

4. Multiple Choice Exam Strategies
As you read the question, write the question out on scratch paper that will be available, then underline key terms. This is ESPECIALLY important for Word problems.
For word problems
Break the question into smaller parts. Sometimes long questions are hard to keep up with.
Read slowly, sentence by sentence, and make sure you understand each part rather than focusing on the question as a whole.
It may help to cover part of the stem or some of the options with your hand so you can focus better.
©Husman, Weinstein, & Steiner, 2002

5. Multiple Choice Exam Strategies
Don't read anything in or out of the question.
For example if the problem asks you to SOLVE, solve it.
If the problem asks you to FACTOR then factor it, DO NOT solve.
©Husman, Weinstein, & Steiner, 2002

6. Multiple Choice Exam Strategies
Pay attention to specific instructions:
For word problems: you are being asked to solve.
For questions that ask you to SOLVE: solve
For questions that ask you to FACTOR: factor (don’t solve)
©Husman, Weinstein, & Steiner, 2002

7. Multiple Choice Exam Strategies
Watch your time.
There are only 50 items and you have 75 minutes.That gives you 1.5 min. per item.
Don’t waste time on questions you really don’t know. Get the easy ones done first, check your time, and start in on the more difficult ones.
DON’T LET YOUR SELF GET TOO RUSHED!
©Husman, Weinstein, & Steiner, 2002

8. How Can I Decide Between Two Very Close Answers?
When you don't know the correct response, compare each option with the stem and analyze how each is different.
One response may have something that others do not have.
Examine opposites carefully
one is definitely incorrect, and one is likely to be correct.
©Husman, Weinstein, & Steiner, 2002

9. I Often Lose Concentration While Taking Multiple-choice Tests
I Often Lose Concentration While Taking Multiple-choice Tests. How Do I Keep That From Happening?
Try to focus on each question in turn.
Don't worry about one question while trying to answer another.
You may even wish to cover up all of the other questions besides the one you are working on.
Starbucks! & Rest
©Husman, Weinstein, & Steiner, 2002

10. Strategies
Start with what you know. This can give you a clearer focus than trying to answer questions you don't know.
A question later on might trigger your knowledge about how to do this one.
If you don’t know it, you don’t know it. Press on to what you do know and don’t worry over it.
©Husman, Weinstein, & Steiner, 2002

11. I don't seem to study the right information
I don't seem to study the right information. I get to the material on the test and discover that I don't know any of it.
There are two parts to test taking -- one is the actual taking of the test and the other is the preparation for the test.
All of the test-taking strategies in the world will not help you whiz through a test if you haven't prepared properly.
By taking the section assessments and asking for help when you need it you will be preparing for the test.
©Husman, Weinstein, & Steiner, 2002

12. I don't seem to study the right information
I don't seem to study the right information. I get to the material on the test and discover that I don't know any of it.
If you are taking the test and feel totally lost, there are still some test-taking strategies you can use.
For instance, use the test itself as a source of information.
Many times teachers will unwittingly supply the answer to one question in another part of the test.
You may also have your memory triggered by another type of question later on in the test.
©Husman, Weinstein, & Steiner, 2002

13. You can boost your confidence by starting with material that you know.
I don't seem to study the right information. I get to the material on the test and discover that I don't know any of it.
Answer the questions that you know first and save the difficult questions for later.
You can boost your confidence by starting with material that you know.
©Husman, Weinstein, & Steiner, 2002

14. You can study more strategically after you have seen the test.
I don't seem to study the right information. I get to the material on the test and discover that I don't know any of it.
If there are sections of the test that you have really not seen before, remember what those sections are, and study them for the second try.
You can study more strategically after you have seen the test.
©Husman, Weinstein, & Steiner, 2002

15. Example: working backwards
1)Factor by grouping:
a) b)
c) d)
Show the students how they can solve the problem backward on a multiple-choice exam.
Take two or three different types of problems and “think aloud” for the students how you would approach the problem, be sure to focus on the “test taking” aspects of the problem, rather than the “math” aspects of the problem.
For example: have a problem ready, perhaps on overhead, then write it out on the board, as we would have them do on scratch paper, underlining the important words. Then work out the problem as far as you would need to, being sure to examine the response choices, as they would need to do on an exam. Be sure to illustrate the various traps you know they can get in to.
Example 1: Show how you can just multiply the possible answers and get back to the original problem.
©Husman, Weinstein, & Steiner, 2002

16. Example: Eliminating Answers
Which Federal Agency is responsible for Airport Security?
A FAA
B TSA
C DOD
D ICAO
FAA used to do this, but no more. TSA does this currently, DOD is not responsible because of “posse comitatus” and ICAO is not a US Federal Agency.
©Husman, Weinstein, & Steiner, 2002

17. Example: Be careful, don’t pick answer to quickly.
3) Simplify:
a) b) c) d) 0
Example 3: Students are sometimes too quick to pick an answer. The most picked answer here is 1. However, show them that still need to work the problem out. In this case the
answer is 0. You could also point out that the answer 9 seems
out of the ordinary and most likely isn’t the correct answer.
©Husman, Weinstein, & Steiner, 2002