Listening
Writing style
Reading a textbook
Marking a textbook
Test prep
More test prep tips
Test strategies
Reduce test anxiety
Cramming

Test Taking Strategies

General Guidelines

  • Arrive early and take a moment to relax and reduce your anxiety
  • Listen attentively to last minute instructions given by the instructor
  • Read the directions very carefully, looking for specif instructions
  • Plan how you will use the time for the test. Estimate how much time you need on each section, particularly on timed tests.
  • Determine which test sections will receive priority
  • Keep a steady pace, and do not let more difficult questions affect your attitude and steal your valuable time. Answer easy questions first; mark the difficult ones
  • Spill out any memorized lists, facts, or formulas as soon as you receive the test
  • Rely on knowledge and don't watch for patterns. Noticing that the last four answers are "C" is not a good reason to change an answer
  • Change answers from your first impression only when you are certain
  • When you have completed your test, use the remaining time effectively to proofread, check for mistakes, and review difficult questions you left blank
  • Learn from your tests!When tests are retuned, go through them thoroughly and see if your plan worked. Test taking is an art, one which needs refinement through practice and thought

Guidelines for Answering True-False Questions

  • Assume all answers ar true and prove them false. There are generally more true questions on true-false exams than false
  • If any part is false, the whole statement is false. Students often read the question and see some truth and assume that the entire statement is true
  • Look for extreme modifiers that tend to make the questio false. For example; modifiers such as always, all, never, or only make it more likely the question is false
  • Identify qualifiers that tend to make the question true such as seldom, often, and many
  • Watch out for negative words and how they may affect the truth. For example the prefixes (un-, im-, miss-) will alter the meaning of statements. A double negative will make a statement true. For example, "not uncommon" actually means common
  • Questions that state a reason tend to be false. Words in the statement that cause justification or reason (since, because, when, if) tend to make the statement false because they bring in a reason that is incorrect or incomplete
  • True statements tend to be longer--more qualifiers

Guidelines For Answering Multiple-Choice Questions

  • Try and answer the questions before you look at the choices
  • Use the process of elimination when you do not know the answer for sure. Use true-false methods discussed earlier with each alternative
  • When numbers are in each alternative, choose the numbers that are in the middle range, not the extremes. (a. 3, b. 20, c. 25, d. 100--choose "b" or "c" if guessing)
  • Choose answers that are longer and more descriptive. Instructors will often give you descriptive detail to help you identify the truth
  • When two very similar answers appear, it is likely that one of them is the right choice (a. homogenous, b. homogenized)
  • Read every possible answer; wathc out for partially correct choices
  • Answers should make grammatical sense with the stem
  • Choices containing unfamiliar terms are not likely correct
  • All of the above or none of the above are frequently correct
  • In guessing, choose the answer most familiar to you

Guidelines for Answering Matching Questions

  • Examine both lists to determine the types of items and their relationships
  • Use one list as a starting point and go through the second list to find a match
  • Move through the entire list before selecting a match
  • Cross off items on the second list when you are certain that you have a match
  • Do not guess until all absolute matches have been made

Guidelines for Essay Questions

  • Organize your thoughts with an outline before you start writing
  • Paraphrase the original question to form your introductory statement. This helps you get the question straight in your mind and provides the teacher a way to see how you understood the question
  • Write your answer clearly, so the reader will be able to decode your writing and understand your ideas
  • Read each essay question with the intent to identify the verbs or words that give you direction. For example; summarize, outline, define, and compare all instruct you to approach the subject in a different way
  • Use principles of good English composition when answering all types of essay questions
  • Be concise, avoiding vague and fuzzy speculation
  • Be natural and sincere
  • Use terms and dates whenver possible and whenver appropriate
  • Leave space to add to your answers