This document discusses strategies for success on essay tests and graded projects. It recommends managing your time on essay tests by mapping out how much time to spend on each question and using the four steps of the writing process. The steps are to plan with an outline, draft the essay, revise by rereading and editing for grammar. It also provides sample essay questions and lists common action verbs seen on essay tests. For group projects, it advises laying out goals, tasks, roles and a schedule in advance and practicing any presentations. It suggests being open-minded and cooperating with group members by reviewing each other's work.

1. HabHab
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
CHAPTER 11
Test Taking II:
Getting Results on Essay
Tests and Graded Projects
Keys to Effective Learning, 6e
Carol Carter, Joyce Bishop, and
Sarah Lyman Kravits

2. HabHab
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Habit for
success:
Be flexible.
“Flexible people…have the capacity to
change their minds as they receive
additional data…they draw upon a
repertoire of problem-solving strategies…
They know when to think broadly and
when to be detailed and concise.”
Art Costa
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

3. HabHab
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
How can you do your best
work on essay tests?
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

4. HabHab
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Manage three areas for
essay test success
• The details – read test directions and
questions.
• Your time – map out how much time
you have for each question.
• The plan – use the four steps of the
writing process, even if time is short.
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

5. HabHab
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
The Essay Test Writing Process
• Plan: Create an informal outline or think link
and come up with a thesis statement
• Draft: State your thesis and back it up with
clear and concise support
• Revise: Reread, and if you need to, make
deletions or use the margin to add
• Edit: Check for grammar, spelling,
punctuation, and usage
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

6. HabHab
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Sample essay questions
• What led to Irish independence? What conflicts
continued to exist after independence?
• How did Gandhi work to rid India of British
control? What methods did he use?
From chapter 29 in Western Civilization: A Social and
Cultural History, 2nd edition.
Prentice Hall, 2003.
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

7. HabHab
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Action verbs on essay tests
•Analyze
•Compare
•Contrast
•Criticize
•Define
•Describe
•Diagram
•Discuss
•Enumerate/list
•Evaluate
•Elaborate on
•Explain
•Illustrate
•Interpret
•Justify
•Outline
•Prove
•Refute
•Relate
•Review
•State
•Summarize
•Trace
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

8. HabHab
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Don’t underestimate the power
of clear, neat handwriting on an
essay test.
The most brilliant essay will
fall flat if your instructor
can’t read it.
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

9. HabHab
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
How can you
deliver an
effective team
presentation?
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

10. HabHab
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Working with a team
One of the most important skills for
school and workplace success
• Pros: More ideas, and
accomplishment, than when working
alone
• Cons: Individuals are not in control of
quality or timing, and personalities
can clash
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

11. HabHab
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Lay out the details first
Goals of the team
• Tasks to be
completed
• Each member’s
roles and
responsibilities
Schedule
• Interim and final
deadlines for tasks
• Dates and times
for meetings
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

12. HabHab
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Be open-minded and
cooperate.
Have others review your
work, and review theirs.
Share ideas about what to
change and improve.
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

13. HabHab
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
If you have to perform…
• Know everyone’s individual roles
• Understand the setup (where you will
speak, where your audience will be,
what technology you can use)
• Practice ahead of time
• Relax and be yourself
• Be prepared for questions
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

14. HabHab
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Making the most of
virtual teams
• Use communication tools: e-mail,
chat rooms, IMs, blogs
• Use the edit function on your word
processing program to give and
receive feedback
• Pick up the phone or meet in person
when a real-time conversation is
necessary
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

15. HabHab
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Real People
Are Flexible
Abigail Holtz
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11

16. HabHab
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
“More than anything, focus
on effort, not outcome.
Take pride in the energy
you put into [your work].
The results will take care of
themselves.”
Fred Siegel
Keys to Effective Learning 6e,Ch11