Chapter 8 - Test Taking
How Can You Learn From Test Mistakes?
Ask Yourself Global Questions That May Help You Identify Correctable Patterns: -What were your biggest problems? Did you get nervous, misread the questions, fail to study enough or correctly? -Did your instructor's comments clarify when you slipped up? Did your answer lack specificity? Did you fail to support your thesis well? -Were you surprised by the questions? -Did you make careless errors, like misreading the question or directions, skip a question, or write illegibly? Rework The Questions You Got Wrong: Based on instructor feedback, recalculate a math problem on the original question, try to rewrite an essay, or redo questions from a reading selection. If you discover a pattern of careless efforts,, be more careful next time. After Reviewing Your Mistakes, Fill In Your Knowledge Gaps: If you made mistakes because you didn't understand important concepts, develop a plan to learn the material. Talk To Your Instructor: Focus on specific mistakes on objective questions or a weak essay. Ask what you could have done better. Rethink The Way You Studied: Make changes to avoid repeating your errors. Use varied techniques to study more effectively so that you can show yourself and your instructors what you are capable of doing. If You Fail A Test, Don't Throw It Away: Use it to review troublesome material, especially if you will be tested on it again. You might also want to keep it as a reminder that you can improve.
How Can You Work Through Test Anxiety?
There are two sources of test anxiety: Lack of Preparation or Dislike of Testing Situations. Lack of Preparation: Get prepared. Effectively prepare for the test if you are able to stay calm in a testing environment, and have an attitude that says "I know this material and am ready to show it." Dislike of Testing Situations: -Re-conceive the negative risk and costly result you think you are facing by looking at the test in a positive light. -Define your goal for this test. Identify the mental and physical issues affecting your ability to reach that goal, and see which of them you can attribute to your anxiety. -Assess your level of anxiety around test taking situations. _________________________ Test Time Strategies to Address Anxiety: -Manage Your Environment -Reassure Yourself With Positive Self-Talk -Write Down Your Feelings -Practice Relaxation Math Anxiety: For some students, math tests garner more anxiety than most. This is often based on misconceptions about math, and many give up before asking for help. ____________________________ Test Anxiety and the Returning Student: -Focus on what you have learned through life experiences to handle exams, like family or work pressure. Without even realizing, you may have developed time management skills, planning, organizational, and communication skills needed for test and college success.
How Can Preparations Improve Test Performance?
Think of tests as a goal to see what you have learned - and learning prepares you for tests. Re-envision the risk you are taking and the reward you seek. If learning is your reward and you are willing to risk time and energy to earn it, effective test performance is likely to come along with the package. You are generally not in charge of the circumstances of a test, such as what materials you can or can't use. Gather Information: -What Type Of Test?: Investigate the following: a) Types of Questions: will they be objective (multiple choice), subjective (essay/short answer), or a combination of both? b) Test Logistics: What is the date, time, and location of the test? Is it in class or take home? Will you complete it in person or online? c) Supplemental Info and Tools: Is it open book or open note? Can you use a graphing calculator or any other tool? d) Value of the Test: Plan and prioritize your study time and energy according to the value of a quiz or test. What Are You Expected To Know? Look over the syllabus to see: a) What topics will be covered b) Material you will be tested on Can also: c) Use your textbook d) Listen at review sessions e) Make an appointment to see your instructor f) Get info from people who took the course g) Examine old tests, if able What Materials Should You Study? a) Sort through materials: Go through your notes, texts, related primary sources, and handouts. Chooses what you need to study. b) Prioritize Materials: Arrange your chosen materials in order of priority so that you focus the bulk of your time on the info you need to understand. ___________________ Use Time Management Strategies to Schedule Study Time: Don't wait before the night before the test to study, and don't assume paying attention in class is enough. a) Consider Relevant Factors: Note the numbers of days before a test, when you have time available and how much material you have to cover. b) Schedule a Series of Study Sessions c) Enter Study Sessions in Your Planner _________________ Use Goal-Setting Strategies to Complete Your Plan: Use a SMART goal while preparing to study, so you know exactly what you need to achieve for the test so you can pass. -Think Analytically -Use SQ3R -Consider Your Learning Preferences -Remember Your Best Settings -Employ Specific Study Strategies -Create Mnemonic Devices -Actively Review Your Combined Class and Text Notes -Make and Take a Pretest _________________ Prepare Physically: Get a good night's sleep the night before the test, as good sleep improves your ability to remember things. Eating a light, balanced meal beforehand that is high in protein will keep you full longer. ________________ Make The Most Of Last Minute Cramming: -Focus on Crucial Concepts: Summarize the most important points and try to resist reviewing notes or text page by page. -Create a Last Minute Study Sheet To Review Before The Test -Arrive Early ______________________ Prepare For Final Exams: Some colleges set aside time to let students to get in study time or complete papers before their final exams. Note exactly when each final exam takes place, and plan several study sessions in the days beforehand, setting aside chunks of time for specific topics.
How Can You Master Different Types Of Test Questions?
Two main forms of questions: -Objective Questions: These generally have you choose or write a short answer, often selecting from a limited number of choices (multiple choice, matching, fill in the blank). -Subjective Questions: These demand the same information recall as objective questions, but require you to plan, organize, draft and refine a response (essay questions). _____________________ Multiple Choice Questions: -Read the directions carefully and try to think of the answer before looking at the choices. -Underline key words and phrases in the question. -Make sure you read every word of every answer, and focus on qualifying words like always or never. -When questions are linked to a reading passage, read the questions first. ________________ True or False Questions: -Look for absolute qualifiers (always, only, all) and conservative qualifiers (generally, often, usually and sometimes). -Be sure to read every word of a true or false question to avoid jumping to an incorrect conclusion. Reading too quickly causes you to miss negatives (not, no) that would change your response and deciding on an answer before reading the complete statement. __________________ Matching Questions: -Make sure you understand the directions -- they may tell you if you can only use questions once or more than once. -Work from the column with the longest entries. -Start with the matches you know. -Finally, answer the questions you're unsure of at the very end. ___________________ Fill-In-The-Blank: -Be logical. Reread the sentence from beginning to end with your answer to be sure it's correct. -Note the length and number of blanks. If two blanks follow each other, it is probably a two-word answer. -If there is more than one blank and the blanks are widely separated, treat each one separately. -If you are uncertain, guess. _____________________ Essay Questions: 1. Read Every Question: decide which to tackle if theres a choice. Read carefully and use critical thinking to identify what exactly the question is asking. 2. Map Out Your Time: schedule how long to allot for each answer, and then break your time into smaller segments for part of the process. 3. Focus On Action Verbs: Underline these words to guide your writing. 4. Plan: Think about what you know about the question and define your goal. Outline or map out your ideas and supporting evidence. Then develop a thesis statement based on this outline. 5. Draft: Your essay may need to be a certain length or may need a certain format. Use the 5 paragraph strategy - thesis statement, 3 body paragraphs supporting your thesis, and a conclusion that repeats your thesis. Make sure your language is clear and concise and use tight logic to link ideas to your thesis/points. 6. Revise: Check word choice, paragraph structure, and style. If you notice anything missing, use editing marks to insert them in neatly. Ask yourself if you have answered the question and if you have a clear thesis, if you have used adequate support to prove your argument, covered all the points on your outline, and if your conclusion is an effective wrap-up. 7. Edit: check for mistakes in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage. Correct language and neat handwriting will leave a positive impression and helps your grade.
What General Strategies Can Help You Succeed On Tests?
a) Choose the Right Seat b) Write Down Key Facts Before The Test, Like Formulas or Definitions c) Start With the Big Picture (look at how many questions there are and what kind) d) Directions Count, So Read Them -- Don't Ignore Them e) Mark Up The Questions f) Be Precise When Taking a Machine Scored Test g) Work from Easy to Hard h) Watch the Clock i) Take a Strategic Approach to Questions You Can't Answer j) Use Special Techniques For Math Tests Maintain Academic Integrity: If you cheat, you may be caught and disciplined, with consequences as serious as expulsion. Cheating on your record may affect your ability to get a job. Feeling the need to cheat means that you haven't learned the material. The risk of cheating may bring a different reward than the risk of staying honest even in the face of a lack of preparation, but the choice is yours.
