Tips on how to take tests more effectively

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

2. 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!

3. Reading for
Understanding
and Taking Notes
- Preparation

5. 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

6. 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

7. Ready to
take a
TEST?

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

20. 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

21. 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

23. 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

24. 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

26. 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

27. 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.

29. Test Anxiety & Coping Skills

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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)

34. 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

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

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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

39. 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

40. Breathing

41. Any Questions?

42. 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