Ozarka College Student Success Center Test Taking 101

Plan to study at least 2 hours for every hour you are in class. Write and rewrite your lecture notes. Use a day planner or calendar to keep up with important dates, tests and appointments. Form a study group with classmates. Use tutoring services and ask your instructor for help. Ask questions in class! Do your homework. Begin studying the first day of class. Don’t wait until the night before the exam. Being Prepared by Knowing the Material is the Number 1 Test Taking Technique!

1. Did not follow directions. 2. Ran out of time. 3. Changed an answer from correct to incorrect. 4. Wrote a lot of words but didn’t answer the question. 5. Hand writing was illegible. 6. Remembered going over the material but could not recall it. 1. Did not follow directions. 2. Ran out of time. 3. Changed an answer from correct to incorrect. 4. Wrote a lot of words but didn’t answer the question. 5. Hand writing was illegible. 6. Remembered going over the material but could not recall it.

1. Did not follow directions. Always read the directions before beginning to answer any questions. 2. Ran out of time. Divide the number of questions into the number of minutes you have to take the test. Be sure to allow more time for essay questions and problem solving. 1. Did not follow directions. Always read the directions before beginning to answer any questions. 2. Ran out of time. Divide the number of questions into the number of minutes you have to take the test. Be sure to allow more time for essay questions and problem solving.

3. Changed an answer from correct to incorrect. Do not change answers unless you are positively certain you have recorded the wrong answer. First impressions are more often correct than second guesses. 4. Wrote a lot of words but didn’t answer the question. Circle and underline key words in test questions and use them as a check to see if you answered all parts of the question. 3. Changed an answer from correct to incorrect. Do not change answers unless you are positively certain you have recorded the wrong answer. First impressions are more often correct than second guesses. 4. Wrote a lot of words but didn’t answer the question. Circle and underline key words in test questions and use them as a check to see if you answered all parts of the question.

5. Hand writing was illegible. Print. 6. Remembered going over the material but could not recall it. This is a sure sign that you did not study enough. Make sure you review your notes regularly to prevent this mistake. 5. Hand writing was illegible. Print. 6. Remembered going over the material but could not recall it. This is a sure sign that you did not study enough. Make sure you review your notes regularly to prevent this mistake.

A major problem students do poorly on essay exams is they do not follow directions! Compare- Stress similarities and differences between objects, ideas or concepts. Contrast-Explain the differences. Define-Clearly state the meaning, list qualities, traits or characteristics. Prove-Include factual evidence, research and/or scientific proof for a theory of case. Review-Mention important ideas, major points, and/or list topics from lecture or in the textbook.

Knowing the material well is the best tip! If you must guess, follow these tips. Choose the most general answer when other choices are specific. Choose the longest answer when others are much shorter. Choose the answer with a middle value when other answers are higher or lower. Choose neither of the similar answers. Choose one of two opposite answers. Choose the answer that agrees grammatically. Ex: a and an = singular, are = plural Choose the most general answer when other choices are specific. Choose the longest answer when others are much shorter. Choose the answer with a middle value when other answers are higher or lower. Choose neither of the similar answers. Choose one of two opposite answers. Choose the answer that agrees grammatically. Ex: a and an = singular, are = plural

Count the number of blanks in fill-in questions or statements. Choose from among familiar answers. Avoid unknown options. Choose the most logical answer to you. Avoid answers with absolutes in them. Ex: always, never, every, none, all only Your Turn… Practice these techniques on a sample test. How did you do? Count the number of blanks in fill-in questions or statements. Choose from among familiar answers. Avoid unknown options. Choose the most logical answer to you. Avoid answers with absolutes in them. Ex: always, never, every, none, all only Your Turn… Practice these techniques on a sample test. How did you do?

Do all the problems and questions you are totally sure of first. Always go with your first instincts. Don’t second guess yourself unless you are absolutely certain you have the wrong answer. Answer the questions and problems with the most points first. Work at a reasonable pace. Don’t waste all of your time on one questions. Think positively. Do all the problems and questions you are totally sure of first. Always go with your first instincts. Don’t second guess yourself unless you are absolutely certain you have the wrong answer. Answer the questions and problems with the most points first. Work at a reasonable pace. Don’t waste all of your time on one questions. Think positively.

Think you suffer from test anxiety? Symptoms include excessively worrying about the test Extreme nervousness Upset stomach Memory lapses Headache Think you suffer from test anxiety? Symptoms include excessively worrying about the test Extreme nervousness Upset stomach Memory lapses Headache

Again, being WELL PREPARED is the best way to reduce test anxiety. Get a good night’s sleep before the test. Read the directions slowly and carefully. Do the easy questions first to help build your confidence. Skim through the test so you have a good idea how to pace yourself. Write down important formulas, facts, definitions and keywords in the margin first so you don’t worry about forgetting them. Again, being WELL PREPARED is the best way to reduce test anxiety. Get a good night’s sleep before the test. Read the directions slowly and carefully. Do the easy questions first to help build your confidence. Skim through the test so you have a good idea how to pace yourself. Write down important formulas, facts, definitions and keywords in the margin first so you don’t worry about forgetting them.

Space out your studying over a few days or weeks, and continually review class material. Don’t wait until the night before and try to learn everything. If you don’t understand the directions on the test, ask the teacher for clarification. Focus on the question at hand; don’t let your mind wander on other things. Space out your studying over a few days or weeks, and continually review class material. Don’t wait until the night before and try to learn everything. If you don’t understand the directions on the test, ask the teacher for clarification. Focus on the question at hand; don’t let your mind wander on other things.

University of Central Florida. Student Academic Resource Center. Learning Skills Handouts. “Reducing Test Taking Anxiety.” University of Central Florida. Student Academic Resource Center. Learning Skills Handouts. “Reducing Test Taking Anxiety.”