TAKING OBJECTIVE AND ESSAY EXAMS Prepare for an objective exam Prepare for an essay exam Write a good essay exam Cram when you have no other choice Do you tend to panic during objective or essay exams? Forget what you learned? Run out of time while taking tests? You can avoid these problems by being well prepared. This means that you attend class, read the assigned material and study. To help you do your best, we will discuss some ways you can improve your test performance. Our goals are to:

WHAT TO STUDY Pay attention to the following: Key terms, definitions and their examples (usually in italics, boldface) Lists of items from class or textbook notes Points emphasized in class or text Areas that teacher advised you to study Questions from past quizzes, tests

GENERAL TIPS BEFORE THE EXAM Making the most of your time right before the test: The night before, make a final review. Go right to bed. Get up a half-hour early and review your notes. Take any materials you will need (pens, pencils, dictionary, calculator, etc.). Read all directions thoroughly and follow them. Budget your time.

OBJECTIVE EXAMS May include multiple choice, true-false, fill-in and matching questions Well-constructed objective tests can evaluate your understanding of the material just as well as an essay test. So don’t cut your study time short just because it is an objective test.

OBJECTIVE EXAMS Getting ready: Try to find out what kinds of items will be on the test Review the main points and practice repeated self-testing Make up practice test items when you study

OBJECTIVE EXAMS Taking objective exams: Answer all the easy questions first Check difficult questions and return to them after you complete the easy ones Answer all the questions unless you lose points for wrong answers Ask for clarification on any test items that are unclear

OBJECTIVE EXAMS Taking objective exams: On confusing items, try to put yourself in the teacher’s shoes Circle or underline key words in difficult questions Rephrase difficult questions into your own words Take all the time given and review for possible mistakes

OBJECTIVE EXAMS Special hints for multiple choice questions: Choose the best answer even if it isn’t the perfect answer Cross out answers you know are incorrect Read all possible answers to the question Minimize the risk of guessing by eliminating choices Try supplying your own answer before looking at the choices given on the test

OBJECTIVE EXAMS Clues that may signal correct answers: The longest answer is often correct The most complete and inclusive answer is often correct An answer in the middle, especially one with the most words, is often correct If two answers have the opposite meaning, one is probably correct Answers with qualifiers such as generally, probably, most, often, some, sometimes, and usually are frequently correct.

OBJECTIVE EXAMS Clues that may signal incorrect answers: If two answers are close in meaning, both are probably incorrect. Answers with absolute words such as all, always, everyone, no one, none, only are usually incorrect.

OBJECTIVE EXAMS Special hints for true-false questions Simplify questions with double negatives by crossing out both negatives and then determining the correct answer Remember that answers with qualifiers such as generally, probably, most, some and usually are frequently true Remember that answers with absolute words such as all, everyone, no one, none and only are usually false Double negative example: You won’t be unprepared for essay exams if you anticipate several questions and prepare your answers for those questions. Can be reworked to read: You will be prepared for essay exams if you anticipate several questions and prepare your answers for those questions. This statement is true. Ex: An objective test is not without pitfalls Rewritten: An objective test has pitfalls. This statement is true.

OBJECTIVE EXAMS Special hints for fill-in questions Read questions to yourself so that you hear what is being asked. Make sure your answer fits logically and grammatically into the sentence. Not all fill-in questions require just one word

OBJECTIVE EXAMS Special hints for matching questions: Don’t start matching words until you have read both columns and know your options Always start with the easy items Cross out items as you use them

ESSAY EXAMS Preparing for the essay exam Make up 10 probable questions Prepare and memorize an informal outline for each of your questions Circle key words in each main point Below the outline, write the first letter of each key word Use the letters to make a catch phrase Test yourself until you can recall the main points and key words Handout: Key Words, Catch Words, Catch Phrases

ESSAY EXAMS Taking the essay exam Read all the questions on the test to get an overview Note the direction words (compare, illustrate, list, etc.) so that you will know what kind of answer is required Start with the least demanding question to build your confidence for more difficult items Handout: Direction Words

ESSAY EXAMS Taking the essay exam Prepare a brief outline before answering an essay question Write a well-organized, careful essay Proofread if time allows

CRAMMING WHEN YOU HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE Cramming usually means you haven’t planned your time well But even the best-laid plans can go astray You can’t study everything

HOW TO CRAM Read through your class and/or text notes and mark important ideas Use study sheets or review guides provided by the teacher Write important ideas on one side of a page of paper Prepare catch words or phrases to help you recall and memorize the material Review all your notes and skim textbook Do not attempt to learn new concepts

PRACTICE ACTIVITIES Objective exam practice Essay exam practice Handouts: Sample Objective and Essay Tests