Five Simple Strategies to Improve Test Performance Dr. David Ross CLC Counseling Center

Develop a Plan of Action Don’t “dive” into a test, make a plan. Don’t “dive” into a test, make a plan. Look through entire test, estimate time needed for each section. Look through entire test, estimate time needed for each section. Invest adequate time in the sections that have the most points. Invest adequate time in the sections that have the most points.

Look for Key Words Find words that can change the meaning. Find words that can change the meaning. Words like: sometimes, always, usually, may, discuss, contrast, except, etc. Words like: sometimes, always, usually, may, discuss, contrast, except, etc. Take your pencil and underline them. Drag along a piece of paper if you cannot underline. Take your pencil and underline them. Drag along a piece of paper if you cannot underline. This will slow you down and force you to read carefully. This will slow you down and force you to read carefully.

Develop a Skipping Strategy We waste time struggling over one item. We waste time struggling over one item. You want to first answer all the ones you know. You want to first answer all the ones you know. Immediately skip the ones you don’t know. Immediately skip the ones you don’t know. After going through the entire test, then go back to the ones you skipped, you will have time to work on them. After going through the entire test, then go back to the ones you skipped, you will have time to work on them. Change answers only if strong reasons. Change answers only if strong reasons.

Outline Essay Questions Before you start make a brief outline. Before you start make a brief outline. It will focus your thinking and actually save time because you write efficiently. It will focus your thinking and actually save time because you write efficiently. It leaves a positive impression on the teacher grading the essay. It leaves a positive impression on the teacher grading the essay.

Prepare Practice Tests It gives you a “dress rehearsal”, reducing anxiety. It gives you a “dress rehearsal”, reducing anxiety. Use Chapter reviews or study guides for sample questions. Use Chapter reviews or study guides for sample questions. Even better, write your own questions. Even better, write your own questions. Try doing questions fast to simulate actual testing experience. Try doing questions fast to simulate actual testing experience.