Chapter 5 Taking Tests

Getting Ready Tests cause great anxiety for students and instructors 5-2 Tests cause great anxiety for students and instructors Tests are valuable, they help define what you know and what you still need to work on Don’t allow tests to define your worth as a person Tests measure how well and how much you studied, and your test-taking skills LO 5.1

Taking Tests – Prepare Take a long-term view on preparing for tests 5-3 Take a long-term view on preparing for tests Know what you are preparing for What material will be covered? How many questions will there be? How much time will you have to take it? What kinds of questions will be on it? How much can the test impact your final grade? LO 5.2

Taking Tests – Prepare 5-4 Match your preparation to the type of test you are studying for How to tackle different types of test questions Essay: note specifically what is being asked, write outline if needed, be brief and to the point, move from major points to minor ones, answer every part of question Short-answer and fill-in: unlike essays, these require specific information, be brief Multiple-choice questions: be sure of the number answers you can choose, answer the question in your head first, look for absolutes as possibilities to discard, break the question apart, use an educated guess strategy Short-answer and fill-in: must be able to recall information, study specific and detailed information Multiple-choice/True-False/Matching: requires attention to details rather than big-picture, must know a lot of facts, use index cards to study LO 5.2

Taking Tests – Prepare 5-5 LO 5.2

Taking Tests – Prepare Test yourself Deal with test anxiety 5-6 Test yourself Textbook website Write your own questions Take practice test questions with your study group Deal with test anxiety Prepare thoroughly Take a realistic view of the test Eat right and get enough sleep Learn relaxation techniques Visualize success LO 5.2

Taking Tests – Prepare Organize a study group 5-7 Organize a study group Helps members of the group organize and structure material Members can share different perspectives on the material Prevents members from overlooking important information Forces members to rethink the material by explaining it to other members of the group Motivates members to do their best LO 5.2

Taking Tests – Prepare When organizing a study group: 5-8 When organizing a study group: Identify motivated members of your class Include a variety of people with different strengths Identify your group’s purpose Keep your group the right size Use campus tutoring center Try not to cram LO 5.2

Taking Tests – Organize 5-9 Bring the right tools the day of the test Bring notes and text, if permitted Avoid comparing study preparation with fellow students on the day of the test Listen to what your instructor says before the test is handed out – this is valuable information! LO 5.2

Taking Tests – Work Take a deep breath 5-10 Take a deep breath Tell yourself that you’re going to do your best Answer the easy questions first Write legibly and only on one side of the paper Carefully mark machine-scored tests With online exams, be prepared for possible technical difficulties LO 5.2

Taking Tests – Work How to tackle different types of test questions 5-11 How to tackle different types of test questions Essay: note specifically what is being asked, write outline if needed, be brief and to the point, move from major points to minor ones, answer every part of question Short-answer and fill-in: unlike essays, these require specific information, be brief Multiple-choice questions: be sure of the number answers you can choose, answer the question in your head first, look for absolutes as possibilities to discard, break the question apart, use an educated guess strategy LO 5.3

Taking Tests – Work How to tackle different types of test questions 5-12 How to tackle different types of test questions True – False questions: answer the ones you’re sure about first, consider the absolutes because they will determine the answer, if part of a statement is false then the whole statement is false Matching questions: match the ones you know first Keep academic honesty a priority LO 5.3

Taking Tests – Evaluate 5-13 Save time at the end of the test to evaluate your work Check for obvious mistakes Proof-read your essays and short answers Add any additional information and attempt questions you weren’t sure about earlier Run out of time? Stop and plan a quick strategy for the final minutes of the test Outline essays, write keywords Remember: something is always better than nothing LO 5.3

Taking Tests – Rethink How did you do? Think beyond just your score 5-14 How did you do? Think beyond just your score Examine mistakes for how to do better in the future Actively listen to what your instructor says about the test Were your errors based on not understanding the material or due to test-taking skills? Follow up with your instructor, if needed LO 5.3