1. Test Taking Strategies
Academic Support Unit
Adapted from:
Practicing College Learning Strategies 3rd edition
Carolyn H. Hopper

3. Reasons for test anxiety
Poor preparation or poor test taking skills
Negative test taking experience
Negative attitude about school/college
Low self-confidence

4. Reducing test anxiety
Remember to take care of yourself (healthy food, enough sleep, sports)
Take practice exams
Come prepared
Make an effort to relax periodically during the test
Engage in positive self talk
Visualize success
Do relaxation techniques

5. Predicting test questions
Notice clues to test questions from lecture material.
(clues, repeated ideas, what written on the board, questions instructor asks)
Notice clues to test questions from textbook. (bold print, summary, questions at the end of chapters.)
Save all tests, quizzes, homework.
Find out if previous tests are available.

6. Questions to be asked before an exam
How many questions will be on the test?
What types of questions will be on the test?
What material will be covered?
How much will the test count toward the final grade?
Will the questions come primarily from the notes or the text?
How much time will we have for the test?
What materials (books, notes, calculators, dictionaries, etc) will we be able to use?

7. Tips for taking any test
Determine types of questions.
Make notes of anything you think you might forget. Out line your answer to discussion questions.
Locate easy questions to answer first.
Budget your time. According to time value.
Follow the directions.
(Activity1)

8. Types of Tests There are two basic categories of tests: 1) Objective:
* there is one correct answer.
* there are clues within the question to jog your memory.
*Objective tests contain:
True/false
Multiple choice
Matching
Fill-in-the blank

9. 2) Subjective:
* there is also a correct answer for each question but also a range of possible ways to give this answer.
* Subjective Tests Contain:
Discussion Questions
Essay Questions
Short Answer Questions

10. Strategies for True/False Test
Assume statements are true unless you know they are false.
If any part of a statement is false, the whole state is false.
True/false statements that give reasons tend to be false.
A negative word or prefix doesn’t make a statement false.
Simplify the question by getting rid of double negatives. e.g. It is not uncommon to see birds in the sky.
If general qualifiers are present, good chance that statement. is true. (generally, probably, usually, sometimes)
If absolute qualifiers are used, the statement is probably false. (all, always, no, never, none, every, entirely)

11. Strategies for Multiple Choice tests
Realize that there is not always a perfect answer. You must choose the best answer.
Cross out the incorrect answers (distracters).
Read all possible Responses.
Treat each option as a true/false question.

12. Strategies for fill-in questions
Read the question for your self so that you can hear what is being asked.
If more than one answer comes to mind, write both in the margin, come back later and choose the one you want.
Make sure that your choice fits in logically and grammatically.
Remember, your answer may require more than one word.

13. Strategies for matching
Preview all of the possibilities before answering anything.
Determine whether an answer can be used more than one.
Answer the ones you are sure of first.
Cross out options as you use them.
Use logic to determine what is being asked for-a person? A place? A date?

14. Strategies for Essay Tests
Make sure that you understand what the direction are asking you to do: compare/contrast, explain, list, describe, discuss.
If possible, turn the question into a statement that becomes your thesis statement.
To make sure you answer all parts, underline or circle keywords or phrases, and number the parts asked for in the question.
Write well organized answers.
Write complete answers.
Budget your time, if you run out of time, ask if extra time is allowed.
Proofread! Leave a space between answers so that you can add new ideas.