 PREPARING
FOR TESTS
- Part of being a good test taker is preparing in advance for the test.
- Find out what type of exam it will be: essay, short answer, multiple
choice, fill-in. the-blank, open book or take home.
- Review your notes, textbooks and notes from outside readings. Keep
your notes in chronological order.
- Review unit summaries and answer all sample questions included.
- Ask the instructor to specify the areas requiring more concentration.
- Review earlier exams or sample exams on file in the library.
- Create your own exam questions and review them.
- Develop study tools: a study checklist, vocabulary lists, time lines,
a set of flash cards and an outline of the materials covered.
- Form a discussion or study group.
TAKING AN EXAM:
- In general, arrive early, scan the entire exam before you start, read
directions carefully; jot down your memory aids, diagrams, codes.
- Put your name on the exam.
- Take command of the test: read all questions before you start to answer
and code the questions by (*) easy, (**) easy but time consuming, (x)
hard, and (?) for impossible, answering the questions in this order
to boost confidence and to manage the test. You can often gain clues
to answers from reading other parts of the test.
- Pace yourself and stay aware of your time. Keep in mind the point
value of different questions, if this detail is provided and budget
your time!
- Beware of 'quicksand questions', go on to the next question and mark
it so you can easily return if time allows.
- Try to respond to all questions, a partial answer is better than no
answer.
- Essay exams require all the above plus the need to dissect the question,
make an outline, include facts, get to the point and to write legibly.
- Objective exams require all of the above and for you to read each
question twice before responding so that you pick up essential wordings.
Multiple choice questions you may have to eliminate responses to determine
the best answer. True/false questions: if a question is partially false,
mark it false. Watch out for key words such as always, often, or never;
these words can help you decide if the statement is true or false.
- When you do not know the answer explore these techniques:
Multiple Choice Exams: instructors are very careful with correct answers,
mistakes are frequently made with other options. The correct answer
will not have spelling, syntax, or grammatical errors. The questions
tense will match the answers tense. The longest option, if it is grammatically
correct, is frequently the correct answer. Only use these clues if you
are making a guess.
- Try to allow for ten minutes at the end of the exam for you to check
it over, but try not to change your response to a guess, your first
impression is usually right!
- When the test is returned, read your instructor's comments carefully
so you understand your mistakes and don't repeat them.
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