1. Chapter 5 Taking Tests

2. Getting Ready Tests cause great anxiety for students and instructors
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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

3. Taking Tests – Prepare Take a long-term view on preparing for tests
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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

4. Taking Tests – Prepare
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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

5. Taking Tests – Prepare
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LO 5.2

6. Taking Tests – Prepare Test yourself Deal with test anxiety
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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

7. Taking Tests – Prepare Organize a study group
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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

8. Taking Tests – Prepare When organizing a study group:
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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

9. Taking Tests – Organize
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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

10. Taking Tests – Work Take a deep breath
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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

11. Taking Tests – Work How to tackle different types of test questions
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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

12. Taking Tests – Work How to tackle different types of test questions
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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

13. Taking Tests – Evaluate
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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

14. Taking Tests – Rethink How did you do? Think beyond just your score
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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