TEST-TAKING/ TEST ANXIETY WORKSHOP

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE SUCCESSFUL 4 IMPORTANT AREAS Study skills Test – “Wiseness” Educational Attitude, Beliefs, & Self- Concept Overcoming Test Anxiety

STUDY SKILLS STUDY SMART vs HARD

STUDY SKILLS Before Tests: Conduct daily, weekly & monthly reviews. Create review tools: 3x5 cards, study group, & checklist.

TEST-WISENESS TECHNIQUES TO HELP YOU ATTACK THE TEST CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS LOGICAL THINKING

TEST ANXIETY PHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNS: Sweaty palms Accelerated heartbeat Loss of concentration Feeling overwhelmed “blank” mind Shallow breathing

TEST ANXIETY PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS: Educational self-concept Competence Expectations of success Self-talk

Test Anxiety Relaxation Techniques Relax – Take deep breaths slowly breathing In and Out Avoid drugs and alcohol Form support groups Talk with your instructor Develop effective study skills Face it head on

Anxiety Control During a TEST Tell yourself, “I can be anxious later, now is the time to take the exam.” Focus on answering the question, not on a grade or others’ performances. Counter negative thoughts w/other more valid thoughts like, “I don’t have to be perfect.” If allowed, get a drink or go to the bathroom. Tense & relax muscles throughout your body; take a couple of deep breaths and try to maintain a positive attitude. Eat something. Break your pencil lead – then go sharpen it. Think about a post-exam reward for yourself.

TEST-WISENESS TEST TAKING STRATEGIES: Manage your Time Read ALL of the Answers Trust your Gut (only change answers you misread) Multiple Choice Questions True/False Questions

Most General Alternative  General Language  Keywords: Primarily….Often

Example  A chair is: –A.an object with 4 octagonal legs –B.an object which has 2 heights, one 22 inches, the other 32 inches –C.an object which has a base measuring 52 inches and a seat measuring 44 inches –D.a piece of furniture often found in the home

Middle Value  Eliminate High/Low Example: The mature human being has how many teeth? –A.15 –B.32 –C.54 –D.7

Similar Alternatives  Two answers are similar, neither is correct Example: The planarian has: –A.3 legs –B.4 hearing organs –C.ears in 4 locations –D.an anterior brain

Grammatical Agreement  Words in the stem of the question must be in grammatical agreement with answers.  A  An  Plurals  Singular

Opposite Alternatives  Two answers, opposite statements, one of which is correct Example: The planarian has: –A.an anterior brain –B.3 legs –C.red eyes –D.a posterior brain

Example  A biologist who specializes in the study of the relationship of an organism to it’s environment is known as an: –A.ecologist –B.structuralist –C.taxonomist –D.naturalist

Word Association  Same words or synonyms in the stem of the question will be repeated in one of the answers Example: The Strong Vocational Interest Blank is used to measure: - A. Aptitude - B. Interests - C. Achievement - D. Adjustment

True/False  Absolute meanings = FALSE –Keywords: –Always, never, only, all, most, none Vague Meanings = TRUE -Keywords: -Often, generally, seldom, may, perhaps, ususally

Not  Which of the following is not……… NOT = FALSE  Look for answers that are true. The answer that is false is the correct one.

Other Test Wiseness Techniques - B, C, and D are the BEST answers in a 5 answer multiple choice question Avoid pairs when guessing Non-answers “0”, “None of the Above” are not good choices “All of the Above” is generally a good choice

If 2 choices are almost equal, pick the longer answer Exaggerated or complex answers are usually false Answer every question when not penalized With difficult questions, visualize it, draw it. For example, word problems

-On math multiple choice, fill in the answer and work backwards – this helps on other tests, as well -First impressions are often best. If an answer comes out of the blue, it is probably your right brain in action. Don’t fight this intuition unless you know you are wrong.

-On fill-in the blank exams, never leave a blank. You may get partial credit. -Essay exams – say as much as you can, use short paragraphs and write legibly. Volume, clarity, and neatness pay off!

-Reread directions before turning in the exam. Use the entire time period to double check. -Stay until the very end – questions may be asked that can help you.

To become a better test-taker, you must Practice.