TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES

Questions To Ask Yourself:

1.Are you stuck in cycle of negative thinking?

2.Who has control over your choices?

3.Are you willing to learn new habits?

4.Are you willing to make changes?

Then lets get started!!

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!! If you are stuck in a cycle of negative thinking-give it up NOW!! Believe in yourself, tell yourself I CAN, do your BEST, don’t be AFRAID.

1.Be Prepared for your tests. This means you can NOT wait until the night before a test to study!If you are prepared your anxiety level should be low!!.

When you know when you are having a test try this strategy:

Allow the night before the test to REVIEW all the material you will be tested on. This is ONLY A REVIEW. IN OTHER WORDS THIS TIME IS FOR YOU TO GO OVER EVERYTHING THAT WILL BE ON THE TEST.

During the days prior to the REVIEW DAY divide the material up and each evening devote a set amount of time to reviewing just that material. You may need 20 minutes to 45 minutes to do this.

Think of it like this: If you have a hobby and you practice, you know you will do well. If you are prepared for a test by studying or practicing you will be able to relax and do your best.

Studies have shown that most people remember information better when they review and repeat the information in several short sessions at a time

2.REMEMBER: Your performance on a test is only one small part of who you are. It does NOT define you as a failure or loser. It is also one part of your grade NOT the entire grade!

3. BE A GOOD LISTENER-keep your hands and feet still, look at thespeaker, and think about what you hear being said. Jot down any questions you may have and ask them at the end of the lecture. If you are too shy to ask in front of your classmates, ask your questions at the end of class.

4.When taking a test: a.Watch the Time

b.Pace yourself. If you aren’t sure of an answer, skip the question and come back to it-there may be information in another question that may help you figure out the answer you skipped.

YOU CAN ANSWER THE EASY QUESTIONS FIRST, THEN PROCEED WITH THE MORE DIFFICULT ONES. This helps build confidence!

YOU CAN JUST LOOK AT ONE QUESTION AT A TIME BY COVERING THE OTHER QUESTIONS, SO THAT YOU DON’T BEGIN TO PANIC AND ONLY FOCUS ON WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW, RATHER THAN WHAT YOU DO KNOW!!

c. Think positively-You CAN DO WELL!!

d. Read each question twice-why so you don’t just assume you know the answer, plus it forces you to be thorough in your reading.

e. Check your work!! Check for omissions, missed words, or stray marks. READ don’t just GLANCE your answers over.

TRUE AND FALSE TESTS

TIP #1

Read the statement slowly and carefully. If any part of the statement is false the entire statement will be false.

TIP #2

Beware of Sway Words. These words can sway a statement from true to false. These words include:all, every, always, only and because

TIP #3

True Clue words indicates that the answer is TRUE. These words include:

Usually and Generally

TIP #4

STICK WITH YOUR FIRST ANSWER UNLESS YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY SURE IT IS WRONG. Usually a first hunch is correct.

TIP #5

Check your answer by rereading the statement to yourself with your chosen answer as part of the statement. For example: True or False Jupiter is the smallest planet in our solar system. ANSWER :FALSE Check it by : No Jupiter is not the smallest planet in the solar system.

MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST QUESTIONS

A multiple choice item consists of two parts:

1.a question or incomplete statement

2.possible answer choices.

Carefully READboth the question and the possible choices.The incorrect choices are known as distractors and are designed to make you think harder.

Once you read the question or statement try to answer or complete the statement before looking at the possible choices. If you are able to do this you will be able to eliminate the distractors.

If you are unable to do this, look at the choices and1.Eliminate the ones that are obviously wrong.2. Eliminate the answers that are grammatically incorrect 3. Eliminate the answers that are two vague

When two of your choices are exactly opposite one of those choices is usually the correct answer.

Use the information from the statements and questions being asked on a multiple choice test to help you answer other questions.

Remember REVIEW YOUR ANSWER CHOICES.

ESSAY TESTS

When an essay test question asks you to:

1.compare-describe similarities

2.contrast –describe differences

3.explain-tell or give reasons for

4.describe-characterize something or someone

5.state-discuss a main point or idea

6.prove-give arguments with supporting details

7.diagram-use a chart, graph, picture with labels

8.summarize-give main ideas or points without details

Remember to read the essay question completely and budget your time.

THE ABOVE 8 WORDS ARE A GREAT LIST TO MEMORIZE....YOU WILL ALWAYS KNOW WHAT IS EXPECTED IN AN ESSAY QUESTION PLUS YOU ARE PRACTICING SOME NEWLY GAINED SKILLS!!!