On Course: Taking Tests

Guide Words

-reveal the way that the instructor expects you to develop the topic -e.g. analyze, compare, contrast, define, describe, discuss why, discuss effect, discuss how, evaluate, explain, illustrate, summarize, etc.

Unconditional Words

-words that indicate 100% w/ no exceptions -e.g. all, every, only, never, always, etc.

Conditional Words

-words that indicate 100% w/ some exceptions -e.g. generally, some, a few, occasionally, seldom, usually, sometimes, often, etc.

Strategies to Improve Taking Tests(Before):

1. Actively use the CORE Learning System 2. Create a positive affirmation about taking tests 3. Visualize success 4. Arrive early & get comfortable 5. Prepare yourself physically & emotionally

What are some test-smart tips/strategies for answering short-answer questions?

1. Always write something down. 2. Circle the guide word in the writing prompt. 3. Underline the topic in the writing prompt. 4. Write down any supporting details/ideas you can think of on a separate sheet of paper. If you have time, write a rough draft and transfer to test page. 5. Create your first sentence by rephrasing & answering the test question. 6. Develop the paragraph w/ supporting details, examples, evidence, & explanations. If stuck, refer to other questions on the test. 7. Plan your answer to fit in space provided. 8. End your paragraph w/ a wrap-up sentence. 9. Proofread

What are test-smart tips/strategies for solving math problems?

1. As soon as you get the test, write notes & formulas on the test. 2. Solve all of the easy problems first. 3. Begin challenging problems by estimating answers. 4. Write out all steps of each problem(professors using give partial credit for knowing the process) 5. Compare your solutions to estimate you initially made. Use common sense. 6. If you have enough time, double check all solutions.

What are some test-smart tips/strategies for answering definition questions?

1. Circle guide words & underline the term to be defined. 2. Remember that an effective definition includes three components: a category, unique characteristics, & elaboration. For elaboration, an example is often ideal.

What are the two main challenges in relation to essay questions during an exam?

1. You have to write the essay from memory, not notes. 2. You have to take into consideration the time-limit.

Strategies for Taking Tests(After):

23. Reward yourself 24. Study instructor's feedback 25. Correct answers you missed 26. Analyze your errors 27. Get help 28. Seek accommodations

Strategies to Improve Taking Tests(During):

6. Write memory cues on the test 7. Preview the test 8. Make a test-smart plan(answer easy questions first & spend time in proportion to points available on remaining questions) 9. Answer true/false questions 10. Answer multiple choice questions 11. Answer matching questions 12. Answer fill-in-the-blank questions 13. Answer questions that ask for a list 14. Answer short-answer questions 15. Answer definition questions(category, unique characteristics, & elaboration) 16. Answer essay questions 17. Solve math problems 18. If you get stuck, move on 19. If you feel anxious, refocus(one minute) 20. Review your answers 21. Provide an answer for every question 22. Proofread

"Test Smart":

mastering the art of taking tests by using strategies to maximize the amount of points earned as much as possible

What is the best approach to take when answering short-answer questions?

state a main idea, offer specific supporting details to support main idea, and conclude in a satisfying way

What is your main goal for each test?

to score as many points as possible

True or False: A multiple-choice question is actually a group of true/false questions.

true

True or False: Essay questions require an in-depth discussion of a topic.

true

True or False: Short-answer questions are mini-essays.

true

True or False: Tests are games.

true

What are the seven problems that typically cost students points?

1. They did not prepare for all skills/information on the test. 2. They got questions wrong despite studying for all skills on the test. 3. They were not able to answer the types of questions the instructor asked. 4. They did not follow directions. 5. They lost points for unanswered questions. 6. Careless mistakes 7. They were too stressed to answer the questions to the best of their ability.

What are some test-smart tips/strategies for answering fill-in-the-blank questions?

1. Unless the question says that you will be penalized for writing a wrong answer, always fill in the blank. 2. Make sure your answer fits grammatically. 3. Use the length of the blank to indicate whether the correct answer is one or more words. 4. If you see two or more blanks, realize you need to have a different word or phrase in each blank. 5. These questions usually test key concepts, so look at other questions in the test to find potential answers. 6. After inserting the answer, read the sentence to see if it makes sense.

What are three factors that influence how well you will score on tests?

1. How well have you prepared(using the CORE Learning System) 2. How well do you take tests?(are you "test smart"?) 3. How much have you learned from previous tests?(did you use feedback to your advantage?)

What are six test-smart strategies/tips for answering true/false questions?

1. If any part of a statement is false, the answer is false. 2. If the question contains an unconditional word, the answer is probably false. 3. If the question contains a conditional word, the answer is probably true. 4. If the statement has two negatives, cross them both out & see if the statement is true or false. 5. If the sentence contains words you've never heard of(assuming that you have studied thoroughly), it is probably false. 6. If you are reduced to taking a pure guess, choose true(it's easier for professors to create true statements)

What are some test-smart tips/strategies for answering questions that ask for a list?

1. If the number of requested items is provided, circle that number in the question so you know exactly how many items need to be on your answer list. 2. Underline key terms so you are sure of what items to include. 3. If you studied the terms w/ an acronym, jot it down on the page as a memory jogger. 4. If the question tells you how many items to include, provide that many answers even if you have to guess remaining items.

What are some tips/strategies for being test smart when answering multiple-choice questions?

1. Read the directions carefully & see if you can only choose one answer or multiple. 2. Read all answers before making a choice. 3. Cross out all obviously incorrect answers. 4. Cross out answers w/ unconditional words. 5. Look for grammatical clues to cross out some answers that do not fit. 6. When the answers are numbers, cross out the highest & lowest. 7. If two answers are similar, choose one of them(the one that best fits) as the correct answer. 8. If you know that two or more answers are correct, choose "all of the above." 9. If one answer has a more thorough answer than the others, choose that one as correct. 10. If the answer is based on a reading passage, read the question & possible answers before reading the passage.

What are some test-smart tips/strategies for answering matching questions?

1. Read the directions carefully to see if an answer can be used more than once. 2. Note whether each column has the same number of items. If one column has more items, then some items will not be used, or some items will be used more than once. 3. Match all of the pairs you are sure of, & cross them out as you go. 4. Look over the remaining questions, looking for clues that reveal the kind of words required to make a match. 5. Go through the list once more, matching all remaining pairs as best you can. You may see matches this time through that you didn't see earlier. 6. Process of elimination

What are some test-smart tips/strategies for answering essay questions?

1. Read the directions carefully. Be sure to circle guide words. 2. Underline all key terms in writing prompt. 3. Be sure to write the correct number of essays(you do not want to waste time or lose points for forgetting to address a prompt) 4. Brainstorm before you begin writing. 5. Rephrase and answer question & use this as the first sentence of your essay. 6. Organize your ideas w/ your preferred method(outline or concept map). 7. Develop each main idea in a paragraph. 8. Write a satisfying conclusion. 9. Revise 10. Proofread 11. Make sure your handwriting is legible.