1. Test Taking Ch. 8 Strategies for Success in School

2. Types of Test Questions How can you master different types of test questions?

3. Types of Test Questions Objective Questions: – “Short-answer questions that test your ability to recall, compare and contrast information and to choose the right answer from a limited number of choices.”

4. Types of Test Questions Subjective questions – “Essay questions that require you to express your answer in terms of your own personal knowledge and perspective.”

5. Types of Test Questions Multiple-Choice Questions – Carefully read the directions

6. Components of a Multiple Choice Question Item: – The whole question & answers Stem: – The question Options – All of the possible answers Correct answer – Correct answer – Distracters: – Wrong answers

7. Stem? What should the nurse do immediately before performing any procedure? A.Shut the door B.Wash the hands C.Close the curtain D.Drape the client

8. Types of Test Questions Multiple-Choice Questions – Read each questions thoroughly Slowly Re-read the stem (if needed)

9. Types of Test Questions Multiple-Choice Questions – Underline keywords and phrases Sentence completion- The missing word - Looking for clues.

10. “Funny” responses are usually wrong.

11. All of the above is often a correct response. If you can verify that more than one of the other responses is probably correct, then choose “all of the above”

12. “None of the above” is usually an incorrect response, but this is less reliable than the “all of the above” rule. Be very careful not to be trapped by double negatives.

13. Be Slick and Predict! Predict what the answer is BEFORE you read the choices. “I think the answer is …”

14. Types of Test Questions Multiple-Choice Questions – Pay attention to words that could throw you off

15. The Stem with positive polarity Concerned with the truth Asks question with a positive statement Answer is accurately related to the statement To determine if you are able to understand, apply or differentiate correct information

16. The stem with negative polarity Is concerned with what is false Asks the question with a negative statement Usually incorporated words such as – Except – Not – Never Sometimes – Least – Avoid

17. The stem with negative polarity Negative word stems require you to detect errors, or identify interventions that are unacceptable or contraindicated

18. The stem with negative polarity Multiple Choice Questions – Make them into true/false statements. – RE-read stems containing negative words Answer with a T or F

19. Ask yourself whether the answer your are considering completely addresses the question.  If the answer is partly true, it is probably not the right answer.  If the answer is only true under narrow conditions, it is probably not the right answer.  If you have to make a significant assumption in order for the answer to be true, don’t use that answer.

20. If you think an item is a trick question, think again. Very few trick questions. Very few trick questions. If you suspect…, you may be reading too much into the question. If you suspect…, you may be reading too much into the question.

21. The Process of Elimination If you can eliminate two wrong answers, your chance of choosing the right answer is greater.

22. Slash the Trash! Read ALL of the answer choices! Eliminate any choice(s) that you know are not the correct answer. That choice is obviously “trash!”

23. Types of Test Questions Multiple-Choice Questions – If you don’t know the answer, eliminate answers that you know or suspect are wrong Is the choice accurate on its own terms? Is the choice relevant? Are there any qualifiers? Do the choices give clues?

24. Watch out for absolutes! Statements that begin with always, never, none, except, all, no, are probably NOT the answer.

25. Types of Test Questions Multiple-Choice Questions – Make an educated guess by looking for patterns Consider the possibility that a choice that is longer than the others is the right answer

26. Types of Test Questions Multiple-Choice Questions – Make an educated guess by looking for patterns Look for a choice that has a middle value in a range

27. Types of Test Questions Multiple-Choice Questions – Make an educated guess by looking for patterns Look for two choices that have similar meanings – Look for verbal associations. A response that repeats key words that are in the stem is likely to be correct.

28. Types of Test Questions Multiple-Choice Questions – Make an educated guess by looking for patterns: Look for answers that agree grammatically with the question.

29. Types of Test Questions Multiple-Choice Questions – Make an educated guess by looking for patterns

30. Types of Test Questions Multiple-Choice Questions – When questions are linked to a reading passage, read the questions first

31. Multiple Choice Questions Do not change your answers unless you are very uncertain about your first answer choice. Try to answer every question. Make the most intelligent guess you can.

32. The Process of Elimination After you have been through all of the questions once, go back and find questions you have some knowledge about and eliminate choices that you know are incorrect.

33. Identify the central person The client/patient is the central person in most nursing questions Answers should be client focused

34. Types of Test Questions True / False Questions – Read the statements very carefully. Remember that all parts of a statement must be true for it to be true.

35. Types of Test Questions Matching Questions – Make sure you understand the directions

36. Types of Test Questions Matching Questions – Work from the column with the longest entries

37. Types of Test Questions Matching Questions – Start with the matches you know

38. Types of Test Questions Matching Questions – Finally, tackle the matches you’re not sure of

39. Types of Test Questions Fill-in-the-Blank questions – Be logical Plug it in, plug it in!

40. Types of Test Questions Fill-in-the-Blank questions – Note the length and number of the blanks

41. Types of Test Questions Fill-in-the-Blank questions – Pay attention to how the blanks are separated

42. Types of Test Questions Fill-in-the-Blank questions – Think out of the box

43. Types of Test Questions Fill-in-the-Blank questions – If you are uncertain of an answer, make an educated guess

44. Types of Test Questions Essay Questions – Start by being prepared Bring a pencil or erasable pen Blue book?

45. Types of Test Questions Essay Questions – Start by reading the questions

46. Types of Test Questions Essay Questions – 2. Watch for action verbs – ***Figure 8.2 in your text book, pg 266 – Know these terms – matching on the next test!

47. Extra! Extra! Read All About It! If the directions say read…. READ! Pay close attention to signal words in the directions, such as explain, interpret, and compare.

48. Types of Test Questions Essay Questions – 3. Plan Think Outline Write

49. “UNPACK” the Question! Underline key words Number the parts of the ? Plan how you will answer Answer using specific details Check off each part as you do it Keep up the great work

50. Types of Test Questions Essay Questions – 4. Draft Begin by rephrasing Next announce what you’ll be saying 1 paragraph for each main points

51. Types of Test Questions Essay Questions – 5. Revise

52. Types of Test Questions Essay Questions – 6. Edit

53. Types of Test Questions  Short answer  Write down something!

54. Be Smart With Charts & Zap the Maps! Charts and Maps provide information that you can use to answer questions! Analyze ALL information provided before answering the questions!

55. The Death Grip If your arm tires during testing it is probably due to the grip that you have on your pencil. Relax the grip and give those muscles a break.

56. Check It Out! When you have completed the test, go back and check your work!

57. Test Mistakes How can you learn from test mistakes?

58. Test Mistakes Try to identify patterns in your mistakes – Careless errors – Conceptual or factual errors

59. Test Mistakes Rework the questions you got wrong

60. Test Mistakes After reviewing your mistakes, fill in your knowledge gaps

61. Test Mistakes Talk to your instructors

62. Test Mistakes If you fail a test, don’t throw it away

63. Finals Week Preparation Guide Like it or not, final exams are just around the corner. It’s never to early to start studying! How prepared will you be? Use these tips to help ease the pain that finals week can bring.

64. Start early. sleep Determine what type of final you will be taking Focus on your notes. Hide. Don't chase an old test. Make sure you eat! Stop cramming five minutes before the test Read all of the directions carefully. Stay calm during the exam. Ask questions if allowed Stay for the entire session. Remain calm after the exam Focus on what you hate first.