1. Test Taking Tips

2. In General READ THE DIRECTIONS! Read the questions carefully! –Cope with qualifiers (p. 376) –Notice negatives (p. 378) –Use gramatical clues (p. 378) –Choose the best response Mark the “Sure things” first Guess after a while

3. True-False Mark “true” if you’re stumped. Be suspicious of longer statements.

4. Multiple-Choice Pick “All the above” if in doubt Use the True-False technique to change perspectives (p. 382) Discard foolish options (p. 382) Choose the middle number from a range of numbers if you’re uncertain (p. 383)

5. Matching Mark off matches to avoid redundancy Match shorter to longer, instead of the reverse, to save time

6. Sentence Completion If you’ve got a question about the way the sentence is phrased, ask for clarification with a specific question. (p. 384) Disregard the length of the blank. Make two questions if you’ve got two blanks pretty far a part.

7. Essays – In general Read the whole thing first!!!!! Plan your response, keeping your time limits in mind. Make notes on the back of the question sheet, in the back pages of your blue book, on extra pieces of paper, if you’re allowed. Start with the easiest question and give your brain time to percolate on the tougher ones.

8. Pay attention to the key words Look for analyze, describe, interpret, list, criticize, prove (p. 398). Do what you’re asked to do.

9. There is a correct answer!!!! You’ve got to know your stuff. You can’t bs your way through an essay test any easier than you can bs your way through an objective test.

10. There is a correct way to phrase a correct answer Pay attention to your tone! Imitate your professor’s delivery or organization. Creative thinking isn’t bad, but it’s not what the professor is after in most essay questions. Remember her or his “pet ideas” and work them into your answer.

11. Use your time wisely! Get to the point! –Leave off introductions –Put your answer at the beginning –Avoid wordy, rambling writing

12. ORGANIZE!!!! Use a recognizable pattern. –Decreasing importance pattern –Chronological pattern –Spatial pattern –Process pattern –Comparison/Contrast pattern Use transitions. Conclude – somehow.

13. Be Neat! Make sure the ink or lead is dark enough to see Write legibly Write on only one side of the paper Leave lots of space Pay attention to spelling, grammar, punctuation

14. Provide Evidence You’ve answered the question up front, in the first sentence or two, now you need to support it. –Facts –Details –Examples

15. Support General Opinions Don’t just say stuff, also say why you say it.

16. Leave your own opinions out, UNLESS your are specifically asked for them. You’re being asked to reiterate and apply what you’ve learned about a specific topic. In general, essay exams are not the place to take up philosophical, ethical, or moral arguments.