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Test Taking Strategies
General Tips for any Test
Before the Test
- Preview the entire test before answering anything.
- Do a memory dump. Based on your preview, make notes
of anything you might forget. Write down any rules, procedures,
or other information from your study that you will need
for the test.
- Budget your time for each question or test section.
During the Test
- Read the directions carefully.
- Answer the easy questions first.
- Go back to the harder questions.
- Do not leave anything blank.
- Ask the instructor to clarify items you do not understand.
- Mark the key words in difficult items. This will help you focus on the main point.
- Try to rephrase hard questions in your own words.
- Use all of the allotted time.
After the Test is Returned
- Check the point total to make sure there were no mistakes in grading.
- Rework the questions you missed. Try to understand why
you missed them.
- Look for the origin of each question. Did they come from the text? Lecture? Outside
readings? Concentrate more on that source next time.
- Determine which types of questions you missed so you
can practice strategies for them.
- Identify the reason you missed a question. Did you misread it? Did you fail to prepare
for it? Did you run out of time?
- Figure out the kinds of questions the instructor likes to use.
- Review how you studied for the exam. Try other strategies
next time.
- Save the test to use as a study guide.
Tips for Objective Tests
Objective tests have only one correct answer. They rely heavily on your
ability to read quickly and to reason out the answer. The most common objective test
questions are true-false, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple choice.
Strategies for True-False Questions
- Your odds are always 50 - 50. Never leave a true-false item blank.
- For a statement to be true, it must be so 100% of the time. If there is more than one
fact to the statement, verify the correctness of each.
- Words like always and never tend to indicate that the statement is false,
especially if you can think of an exception.
- Beware of words that qualify and give specific meanings. Words like some, usually,
and often frequently indicate true statements, but be careful when interpreting
items containing these words.
Strategies for Matching Questions
- Look at all the possibilities before answering anything.
- Determine whether an answer can be used more than once.
- If only one match is allowed per item, then once items are eliminated, the remaining
ones may be guessed, if necessary.
- Answer the items you are sure of first.
- Check off items as you use them.
- Use logic to determine what is being asked for - a person? a place? a date?
- Analyze the choices to see if any parts of the word or term will allow you to associate
it with the correct answer.
Strategies for Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
- Remember that the answer may call for more than one word.
- If you can’t remember the exact word or words, write something related or an
explanation.
- If you can think of two answers, write them both in the margin. Come back later and
choose the one you want.
- Make sure your answers are logically and grammatically correct.
Strategies for Multiple Choice Questions
- If the question is lengthy and complex, underline the subject and verb to help
you.
- Read the question and answer it mentally. Then look
for the matching answer.
- Read all the choices, saying "probable" or "not probable" before
making a decision.
- If a question is in the negative, such as "which
of the following is not a cause," look for the true
answers. The one false answer will be the choice to select.
- General statements are more likely to be correct than specific statements.
- In items that have complex alternatives involving more than one right answer, mark each
item as true or false. When you finish all the alternatives, you will have the answer.
- Beware of words like not, but, except. They specify limits for the answer.
- Watch our for words like always, never, and only. These
choices are frequently wrong because few statements have
no exceptions.
- Use hints from questions you know to answer those you do not.
- Watch for appropriate grammatical structure from the question to the choice.
- Make educated guesses. Eliminate options any way you
can.
Tips for Subjective Tests: The Essay Exam
Essay or subjective exams may call for responses ranging
from a paragraph to several pages, depending on the type
of question involved. Unlike objective tests, essay exams
do not have one correct answer. They are usually scored
according to the instructor’s opinion, although there
will be certain facts and understanding expected in the
answer.
Before the Test
- Study your instructor. Different teachers stress different
types of information.Some teachers draw mainly from lecture
material, while others rely on reading assignments as
the main source of test items.
- Try to predict possible test questions.
- List all the topics that will be on the test.
- Skim all materials to be covered.
- Read or reread all topics you do not understand.
- Develop a pool of information for each topic. Outline responses to items such as
"who", "what", "how it works", "key
characteristics", "cause-effect" and "examples" for each topic.
During the Test
- Read the directions carefully. You may have a choice of items to complete.
- Set up a time schedule for completing the exam.
- Read through the questions once. Write down key words, lists, or other information from
your studying.
- Watch for key words used in the question and make sure
you understand what is required for your response. (See
a glossary of essay test terms)
- Outline the answer before writing. This can help you
stay focused, and can be used as a map to answer the question.
- Include an introduction and a summary paragraph at the
end.
- Reread your paper to check for grammar, spelling, omitted words, incorrect dates, etc.
For more information
http://www.studygs.net/tstprp.htm
Glossary of Essay Test Terms
| Term |
Definition |
| ANALYZE |
Break into separate parts and discuss or interpret. |
| COMPARE |
Examine qualities or characteristics in order to discover
resemblances. Comparisons generally ask for similarities more than differences. |
| CONTRAST |
Show differences between two or more ideas, topics, concepts,
etc. |
| CRITICIZE |
Make judgements or evaluate worth. |
| DEFINE |
Give a clear specific meaning. |
| DESCRIBE |
Give a detailed account. Include characteristics and
qualities. |
| DIAGRAM |
Present a chart, plan, or graphic representation. |
| DISCUSS |
Examine and present or argue the pros and cons of an issue,
with details. |
| ENUMERATE |
List several ideas, aspects, events, reasons, etc. |
| EVALUATE |
Give your opinion or that of an expert. Include both
advantages and limitations. |
| EXPLAIN |
Clarify and interpret material presented,
state how or why. |
| ILLUSTRATE |
Give concrete examples. |
| INTERPRET |
Comment upon, give examples, describe relationships. |
| JUSTIFY |
Give reasons or prove. |
| LIST |
Present an itemized series. Be concise. |
| OUTLINE |
Give main points and necessary supplementary material,
omitting details. |
| PROVE |
Support with facts or evidence. |
| RELATE |
Show how things interconnect. |
| STATE |
Explain precisely. |
| SUMMARIZE |
Give the main points or facts in condensed form. |
| SUPPORT |
Back up statements with facts and proof. |
| TRACE |
Show the order of events or progress of a subject. |
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