How to Take A Test

How to Take a TEST! Strategies and Tips on being a better “Test Taker”

You have to be Prepared! • You have to have good study skills, organizational skills, and time management skills • If you have not prepared or studied, all of the test taking tips in the world will not help you!

Reading for Understanding and Taking Notes - Preparation

SQRW – Strategy for reading Textbooks • Survey – Look over the visuals, read the; headings, sub-heading, topics, summaries, questions, and conclusions • Question – Create questions from your Survey; who, what, when, where, why, or how • Read – Read to answer the questions you have created • Write – Write the Questions in Answer in your note taking notebook

Taking Good Notes • Get ready to take notes (Before Class) – Review previous notes – Complete all assignments – Bring all needed materials • Take notes (During Class) – PAY ATTENTION – Write quickly (abbreviations) – Place “?” at places you do not understand • Rewrite your notes (After Class) – Rewrite your notes after class – Eliminate abbreviations used – Use reference books to clear up notes if needed

Ready to take a TEST?

General Test Taking Tips • Prepare – Analyze how you performed on past tests – Arrive early for tests – Be comfortable, but alert – Stay relaxed and confident • Test Taking – Read directions carefully – Look over the entire test first – Answer questions in a strategic order • Answer easy questions first • The answer the more difficult questions – Review your test to make sure you: • Have answered all the of the questions • Did not miss-mark answers • Did not make simple mistakes

Guidelines for taking Multiple-Choice Tests • Two types of Multiple-Choice questions – An incomplete statement followed by several answer choices • Example: “The first President of the United States was ___________.” – Thomas Jefferson – Abraham Lincoln – George Washington – Theodore Roosevelt – A question followed by several answer choices • Example: “How many states make up the United States of America?” – A. 48 – B. 52 – C. 46 – D. 50 – E. (sometimes there will be an “all of the above choice” or a “none of the above choice)

Guidelines for taking Multiple-Choice Tests • Read the directions carefully • Know if you are penalized for guessing • Circle or underline important words in the question item • Read all of the answer choices before choosing one • Cross out answer you know to be incorrect • Question answer that do not fit grammatically with the stem (Question) • Question answers that are completely unfamiliar to you • Question answers that use negative or absolute words (Always, Never…) • Number answers, throw out the high and low and consider the mid range numbers • “Look Alike Options” most like one if correct, choose the best • Look for 2 answer choices that are opposites • Look for hints about the correct answer from other test question items in the test • Look for answer choices in the language used by your teacher or found in your textbook • Do not change your original answer unless you are certain you have made a mistake • Choose “All of the Above” if ALL of the answers are correct, do not choose “All of the Above” if only ONE answer above is incorrect. • Choose “None of the Above” if NONE of the answers are correct, do not choose “None of the Above” if only ONE answer above is correct. • WHEN GUESSING – Always guess when there is no penalty – Don’t guess if you are penalized for guessing – Use hints from the questions you know to answer those you do not know – Change your first answer only if you find a cue within the test

Guidelines for taking Short Answer Tests • Prepare for the test – Develop summary sheets for the course material – Focus on key words, events, vocabulary, and concepts – Organize and categorize your materials and then review • When Taking the test – Respond directly to the question or directive – Respond and write concise answers – If you think of more than one answer, ask your teacher (your teacher may hint as to which answer they are looking for in that question) – A guess made with common sense will earn more points than a blank question

Guidelines for Taking an Open Book Test You are evaluated on understanding rather than recall and memorization. During an Open Book Test you are expected to: apply material to new situations analyze elements and new relationships synthesize or structure DO NOT underestimate the preparation needed for an Open Book Test. Your time will be limited and good organization is required in order to perform Well on this type of test.

Open Book test Preparation • Keep Current on all reading and assignments • Prepare a brief: concise notes on ideas and concepts • Carefully select what you intend to bring with you to take the test • Include your own commentaries • Anticipate possible questions and what materials you will need to answer those questions • Familiarize yourself with the textbook layout • Organize your notes to follow the textbook • Write small summaries of groupings or headings • List any data or formulas separately for easy access during the test

Open Book – Taking the Test • Read the questions carefully • Make good use of time • Do not over answer a question • Use quotations – To illustrate a point – A draw on the authority as a source – Because you could not say it better • Quotations can be short • A reference to a quote may be better than the quote • Do not over quote

Guidelines for Oral Exams • There are two types of Oral Exams – Formal Exams • Usually have a list of questions in a prepared format • Usually set in a right or wrong format • Can be competitive – Informal Exams • Usually more of an open exam • Evaluations are usually more subjective • Usually longer repsonses

Three Components for a Successful Oral Exam • Preparation – Ask your teacher what will be on the exam – Study – Write out question you expect to be asked • Discuss answering techniques with classmates • Practice with classmates • Practice with a mirror to examine your “Manner” – Verify the date – If using equipment practice with it • The Exam – Look and act professional – Arrive at the location early – Stay focused – Do not ramble – Maintain your self confidence and composure – Answer questions with more than just yes and no – Watch for signs that the test is over – Ask if there is anything else you could answer – Thank the instructor • Follow-up – Summarize your performance – Note how you can do better next time – Speak to the instructor on ways you can improve

Guideline for an Essay Test • Before Writing the Exam – Set up a time schedule • If questions are weighted prioritize your time • When time is up for one question, leave space and go to the next • An incomplete answer is better than no answer – Read through the question once and see if you have any choice in questions first • Pay attention to key words and how the question is asked: Contrast, compare, critique… • Answer to some questions will come easy; write down key phrases and points immediately – Before attempting to answer a question, put it in your on words first – Think before you write – Make a brief outline for each question – Number the items in the order you will discuss them • Get to the point, state your main idea in the first sentence • Teachers are influenced by the compactness and clarity of answers • Knowing little and presenting that well, is usually better than knowing a lot and presenting it poorly

Writing and Answering the Essay test • Begin with a strong first sentence • Development your argument – Begin each paragraph with a key point from the introduction – Develop each point in a complete paragraph – Use transitions to connect your points – Hold to your time – Avoid any definite statements; qualified statements connotes a philosophical attitude, the mark of an educated person – Qualify answers when in doubt • Summarize your last paragraph • Review – Complete any questions left incomplete – Review, edit, correct (misspellings, miswritten words or dates…) Refer to the handout on Essay Directives

Guidelines for Taking a Math Test • Preparations for a Math Test – Begin preparing early • Pay attention in class • Do homework – Simulate test conditions • Practice with unassigned math problems within the allotted test time – Know your professor • Talk to someone who has had the professor before – Form a study group of 3 or 4 dedicated students • Other students can help you with problems • You benefit from helping other students

Math Testing • Read through the Exam – Prioritize the questions – Pace yourself • Carefully read the instructions – Make sure you are answering what is being asked • Check to make sure you have correctly re-written the problem • Clearly write each step of the solution – Be neat – Do not rush writing your numbers • Double check your math, especially your calculator entries – Recheck problems immediately • Do not Dilly Dally – If you are stuck on a problem, move on and come back if you have time – Always recheck all of your work

Guidelines for Taking an Online Test • There are several variations of Online Tests – In a classroom, computer resource room, or at home – Open or Closed Book – Timed or not timed – Scheduled or not scheduled – Continuous or saved and return to complete – Graded or not graded – Scores immediately returned, or posted later

Taking the Online Test • Make sure your computer is technologically equipped for the test • Master the login procedures and navigation of the site – Taking the test is not the time to be learning how to navigate the site – Do you know or have the proper ID or security numbers needed to access the test – Do you have to present ID to gain access to the testing lab • Once you are on the test index page – If the test is time, do you have access to a clock – Can you save and return if interrupted – Do answers have to be answered in sequence – Can you change answers • After you have finished answering the test – Know how to exit and submit so you will not lose your answers – Will you get an unanswered questions alert • Can you make a paper back-up of your responses • Can you format in word and cut and paste answers

Guidelines for Taking a True / False Test • Every part of the True sentence MUST be true • Pay close attention to negatives, absolutes, and long strings of statements • Negatives can be confusing – Drop the negatives and see if the statement is true, if it is true, the negative must be false • Qualifiers are words that make modest claims and are usually presented with true statements: sometimes, often, generally, frequently… • Absolute words restrict possibilities and usually are presented with false statements: no, never, none, always, every, only… • Long sentences often include groups of words set off by punctuation; remember that each phrase must be true for the whole statement to be true.

Test Anxiety & Coping Skills

What is Test Anxiety? • Some anxiety before a test is normal • Too much anxiety or fear before a test can interfere with learning • Too much anxiety during the test can cause one to not perform their best

How do I know if I have Test Anxiety? • If you answer yes to four or more of these comments, you probably have some Test Anxiety – I have a hard time getting started studying for tests – When studying for a test, I allow too many things to distract me – I expect to do poorly on the test no matter how prepared I am – When taking a test I feel physical discomfort like; sweaty palms, upset stomach, headache, trouble breathing, and tension in my muscles – When take a test I have trouble understanding the directions and questions

How do I know if I have Test Anxiety? • Continued… – When taking a test I have trouble organizing my thoughts – When taking a test I often “Draw a Blank” – When taking a test I find my mind wandering to other thoughts – I usually score lower on tests than I do on assignments, projects, class work, or papers – Right after the test, I remember things I could not remember during the test

What Can I Do About Test Anxiety? • Here are some suggestions about what you can do before, during, and after tests to help with Test Anxiety – Use good study techniques to prepare for tests – Maintain a positive attitude as you study – Go into the test well rested and well fed – Stay relaxed during tests – take slow deep breaths when you feel anxious – Follow a plan for taking the test (like the suggestions made earlier)

What Can I Do About Test Anxiety? • Continued… – Do not worry about when other students finish their tests – Once you hand your test in, forget about it temporarily – When the graded test is returned to you, review it and make notes to yourself on how you can improve – Apply any information you learned from reviewing your test to your next test

A few Anti-Anxiety Relaxing Techniques • Meditation • Progressive Muscle Relaxation • Visual Imagery • Deep Breathing

Meditation • Try to focus on one thing • You can focus on a picture or words “Mantra” • Repeat your “Mantra” to yourself • If you feel yourself wandering, re-focus

Progressive Muscle Relaxation • This is a method of tensing your muscles and then relaxing them – Start with your extremities, and flex the muscles in them – Slowly work your way up; fingers, forearm, biceps, shoulders, etc… – Hold the tensing for a short time – Then completely relax all of the muscles

Visual Imagery • This is a method of you’re your imagination and visualizing • This method takes practice often • One pictures in their mind or visualizes a peaceful place or a place with good memories • Then you concentrate exclusively on that visual image

Deep Breathing • Deep slow breathing from your abdomen eliminates the shorter more shallow breaths that often accompany anxiety • Take deep unforced breaths in through your nostrils, breathing from your abdomen • Release the breaths slowly through the mouth

Breathing

Any Questions?

Marcus Simmons Tech Prep Coordinator Itawamba Community College 2176 South Eason Blvd. Tupelo, MS 38804 Phone: 662-620-5136 Fax: 662-620-5102 Email: mgsimmons@iccms.edu

How to Take A Test

by mgsimmons on Apr 08, 2009

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How to Take A Test — Presentation Transcript