Welcome!Welcome!Have some Have some freefree food! food!
Get ready to learn!Get ready to learn!
Student Success CenterStudent Success Center
Seminar SeriesSeminar Series
Speaker: Chris CoughlinSpeaker: Chris Coughlin
Test Taking StrategiesTest Taking Strategies
……How to get that “A” How to get that “A”
you always wantedyou always wanted
What will be covered..What will be covered..
Techniques for improving your test Techniques for improving your test taking abilities including:taking abilities including:
– Physical, emotional, and mental Physical, emotional, and mental preparationpreparation
– Study strategiesStudy strategies– Overcoming test anxietyOvercoming test anxiety– Test taking tips for the many types of testsTest taking tips for the many types of tests– Avoiding academic dishonestyAvoiding academic dishonesty
Self assessmentSelf assessment
1. __ I always begin studying for an exam at least 1. __ I always begin studying for an exam at least a a week in advance week in advance
2. __ I usually find that my class notes are very 2. __ I usually find that my class notes are very helpful helpful when I’m preparing for an exam when I’m preparing for an exam
3. __ I usually study for an exam with at least one 3. __ I usually study for an exam with at least one other person other person
4. __ I usually know what to expect on a test 4. __ I usually know what to expect on a test before I before I go into the exam go into the exam
5. __ I study for tests by predicting possible 5. __ I study for tests by predicting possible questions questions and seeing if I am prepared to and seeing if I am prepared to answer themanswer them
Self AssesmentSelf Assesment
6. __ I predict essay questions and develop 6. __ I predict essay questions and develop outlines of outlines of the answers the answers
7. __ I am careful to maintain good eating, 7. __ I am careful to maintain good eating, sleeping, sleeping, and exercise habits before and exercise habits before examsexams
8. __ If I finish an exam early or on time, I recheck 8. __ If I finish an exam early or on time, I recheck my my paper paper
9. __ I usually know that I have done well on an 9. __ I usually know that I have done well on an exam exam when I finish. when I finish.
10. __ I seldom feel overly nervous when studying 10. __ I seldom feel overly nervous when studying for or for or taking exams taking exams
Exam PreparationExam Preparation
Starts at the beginning of the Starts at the beginning of the semestersemester– Talk to the instructorTalk to the instructor
Structure of testsStructure of tests Time allowedTime allowed
– Time managementTime management Make a scheduleMake a schedule
Physical PreparationPhysical Preparation
Get plenty of sleepGet plenty of sleep– Staying up late to cram the night before will Staying up late to cram the night before will
impair your mental abilitiesimpair your mental abilities Get exerciseGet exercise
– Aerobic activities reduce stressAerobic activities reduce stress– Keeps you relaxed, positive, and provides Keeps you relaxed, positive, and provides
study breaksstudy breaks Eat rightEat right
– Eat breakfast before an exam to give you the Eat breakfast before an exam to give you the energy you needenergy you need
Emotional PreparationEmotional Preparation
Know the materialKnow the material– Confidence is important or doing wellConfidence is important or doing well
Practice relaxation techniquesPractice relaxation techniques– Go for a runGo for a run– Sit in a quite area and take a few deep breathsSit in a quite area and take a few deep breaths– Do some stretchesDo some stretches
Positive self-talkPositive self-talk– Remind yourself that you are prepared, and Remind yourself that you are prepared, and
will do great!will do great!– Self Fulfilling ProphecySelf Fulfilling Prophecy
Planning for SuccessPlanning for Success
Find out about the testFind out about the test– Leave no unanswered questionsLeave no unanswered questions
Schedule out study timeSchedule out study time– Leave plenty of time to prepareLeave plenty of time to prepare
Study GroupsStudy Groups– Get a group of people together to review Get a group of people together to review
for testsfor tests– Quiz each other, teach each otherQuiz each other, teach each other
Planning for SuccessPlanning for Success
Get a tutorGet a tutor– At the SSC we have tutors for most core At the SSC we have tutors for most core
classesclasses– Get help early onGet help early on– Go to: Go to: www.valdosta.edu/sscwww.valdosta.edu/ssc Or call: 333-7570Or call: 333-7570 to schedule appointmentsto schedule appointments
We are always here to help!We are always here to help!
Studying for TestsStudying for Tests
Make Review SheetsMake Review Sheets– Condense notes into units for easy Condense notes into units for easy
managementmanagement– Make a list of key terms for quick Make a list of key terms for quick
reference and studyreference and study Flash CardsFlash Cards
– Great for making use of dead time Great for making use of dead time (waiting for the bus, waiting for a class (waiting for the bus, waiting for a class to start etc.)to start etc.)
Studying for TestsStudying for Tests
Write summaries of class topicsWrite summaries of class topics
– A good way to judge your know how is A good way to judge your know how is to explain what you have learned to to explain what you have learned to someone elsesomeone else
Test AnxietyTest Anxiety
Sources of Test AnxietySources of Test Anxiety
– Pressure to SucceedPressure to Succeed
– Expectations of loved onesExpectations of loved ones
– Lack of preparationLack of preparation
Test AnxietyTest Anxiety
Specific or generalizedSpecific or generalized
– One test will not make or break youOne test will not make or break you
– Anxious about a specific type of test? Anxious about a specific type of test? Specific subject? Specific subject? practice, practice, practicepractice, practice, practice
Test AnxietyTest Anxiety
Symptoms - can manifest at different Symptoms - can manifest at different times for different people:times for different people:– ““butterflies” in the stomachbutterflies” in the stomach– Feeling queasy or nauseousFeeling queasy or nauseous– HeadachesHeadaches– Fast heartbeatFast heartbeat– HyperventilatingHyperventilating– ShakingShaking– SweatingSweating– Muscle cramps Muscle cramps
Test AnxietyTest Anxiety
During the testDuring the test– Experience the sensation of “going Experience the sensation of “going
blank”blank”– Undermines all test preparationUndermines all test preparation
Severe Test AnxietySevere Test Anxiety– If you become physically ill please seek If you become physically ill please seek
help from a physician, campus health help from a physician, campus health services, or a counselor services, or a counselor
Test AnxietyTest Anxiety
Combating Test AnxietyCombating Test Anxiety
– Study hard, eat right, and get lots of sleepStudy hard, eat right, and get lots of sleep
– Long deep breathes, and a slow exhaleLong deep breathes, and a slow exhale
– Stretch routinesStretch routines
– Stay positiveStay positive
Types of TestsTypes of Tests
Problem-Solving TestsProblem-Solving Tests– In the sciences, math, statistics, etc.In the sciences, math, statistics, etc.– Show all work to avoid careless mistakesShow all work to avoid careless mistakes– Read all directions carefullyRead all directions carefully– Double check work when doneDouble check work when done
Types of TestsTypes of Tests
Machine-Scored TestsMachine-Scored Tests – Fill out all personal information required Fill out all personal information required
on answer sheeton answer sheet– Fill in each answer fullyFill in each answer fully– Make sure the number on answer sheet Make sure the number on answer sheet
corresponds to the number on the corresponds to the number on the questionquestion
– Erase stray marksErase stray marks
Types of TestsTypes of Tests
Computerized TestsComputerized Tests– Make sure you are comfortable with the Make sure you are comfortable with the
formatformat– Ask professor to clarify anything you Ask professor to clarify anything you
don’t understanddon’t understand– If available, take practice testsIf available, take practice tests
Types of TestsTypes of Tests
Laboratory TestsLaboratory Tests– Always attend Lab!Always attend Lab!
This is where you practice for the examsThis is where you practice for the exams
Review notesReview notes– Also, practice drawing any diagrams you Also, practice drawing any diagrams you
might be required to recreatemight be required to recreate
Types of TestsTypes of Tests
Open-Book/Open-Note TestsOpen-Book/Open-Note Tests– Usually Usually HARDERHARDER than than
closed-book/closed-note testsclosed-book/closed-note tests Professor expects more from your answersProfessor expects more from your answers
– Study and organize your notesStudy and organize your notes– Make sure you know where everything is Make sure you know where everything is
in your bookin your book– Do not make the mistake of not Do not make the mistake of not
studying, just because your book is therestudying, just because your book is there Looking things up in your notes or book Looking things up in your notes or book
takes time!takes time!
Types of TestsTypes of Tests
Take-Home TestsTake-Home Tests– Usually Usually HARDERHARDER than in-class tests than in-class tests– Allow plenty of time to complete the Allow plenty of time to complete the
take home testtake home test– Your professor usually expects more Your professor usually expects more
from your answersfrom your answers– Check with professor to find out to what Check with professor to find out to what
extent collaboration is allowedextent collaboration is allowed
Tips for Test TakingTips for Test Taking
Essay QuestionsEssay Questions– Budget the timeBudget the time– Read the question carefullyRead the question carefully– Make an outline firstMake an outline first– Make answers clear, concise, and Make answers clear, concise, and
organizedorganized– Know the key task wordsKnow the key task words
Examples: Compare, Analyze, Contrast, Examples: Compare, Analyze, Contrast, Criticize, Define, Describe, Discuss, Evaluate, Criticize, Define, Describe, Discuss, Evaluate, Etc.Etc.
Tips for Test TakingTips for Test Taking
Multiple-Choice QuestionsMultiple-Choice Questions– Read the question, and generate your own Read the question, and generate your own
answeranswer– Pick the answer that best matches your ownPick the answer that best matches your own– If you don’t know the answer to a question If you don’t know the answer to a question
right away, narrow down your optionsright away, narrow down your options– Skip questions you don’t know and Skip questions you don’t know and
comeback later. A later question might give comeback later. A later question might give a clue to its answer!a clue to its answer!
Tips for Test TakingTips for Test Taking
Fill-in-the-Blank QuestionsFill-in-the-Blank Questions– If you don’t know it right away, generate a few If you don’t know it right away, generate a few
possible answerspossible answers– Pick the one you feel best fits the questionPick the one you feel best fits the question
True/False QuestionsTrue/False Questions– For a question to be true, every detail must be For a question to be true, every detail must be
truetrue– Definite terms such as always, never, only are Definite terms such as always, never, only are
usually falseusually false– Don’t second guess yourself when a sequence of Don’t second guess yourself when a sequence of
questions is all true or all falsequestions is all true or all false
Tips for Test TakingTips for Test Taking
Matching QuestionsMatching Questions
– Review all terms and descriptions before Review all terms and descriptions before answeringanswering
– Match the ones you are most sure ofMatch the ones you are most sure of
– Use process of elimination to help finishUse process of elimination to help finish
Before the TestBefore the Test
Get to class a little earlyGet to class a little early
– Make sure you have all the materials Make sure you have all the materials you needyou need
– Go to the bathroom, get a drink of waterGo to the bathroom, get a drink of water
– Take a few deep breaths to calm Take a few deep breaths to calm yourselfyourself
When You Get Your TestWhen You Get Your Test
Skim over the whole test to get the big Skim over the whole test to get the big picture, schedule time accordinglypicture, schedule time accordingly
““Mind Dump” – On some tests it is helpful Mind Dump” – On some tests it is helpful to write a few notes down of important to write a few notes down of important concepts you don’t want to forgetconcepts you don’t want to forget
When you finish don’t leave!When you finish don’t leave!– Use spare time to go back over the test Use spare time to go back over the test
to catch mistakesto catch mistakes
After the TestAfter the Test
If your professor reviews the exam, If your professor reviews the exam, GO TO CLASS! GO TO CLASS! – It is helpful to hear what he was looking It is helpful to hear what he was looking
for and whyfor and why Review your test to see the mistakes Review your test to see the mistakes
you madeyou made– Reviewing mistakes and learning from Reviewing mistakes and learning from
them helps you to prepare for future them helps you to prepare for future teststests
Academic HonestyAcademic Honesty
Types of MisconductTypes of Misconduct– Cheating – intentionally using Cheating – intentionally using
unauthorized materials such as notes, unauthorized materials such as notes, study aids, the guy sitting to your leftstudy aids, the guy sitting to your left
– Plagiarism – taking another person’s Plagiarism – taking another person’s ideas and claiming them as your own. ideas and claiming them as your own. When in doubt, cite itWhen in doubt, cite it
Reducing likelihood of problemsReducing likelihood of problems – Know the rules, Set clear boundaries Know the rules, Set clear boundaries
with peers, seek help when neededwith peers, seek help when needed
Seek Help!Seek Help!
Student Success CenterStudent Success Center
Your ProfessorYour Professor
Academic AdvisorAcademic Advisor
CounselorCounselor
TutorTutor
ReferencesReferences Gardner, J. N., Jewler, A. J., Barefoot, B. O. (2007) Gardner, J. N., Jewler, A. J., Barefoot, B. O. (2007) Your Your
college experience: Strategies for success.college experience: Strategies for success. Boston: Boston: Thomson/Wadsworth.Thomson/Wadsworth.
http://www.d.umn.edu/kmc/student/loon/acad/strat/test_takhttp://www.d.umn.edu/kmc/student/loon/acad/strat/test_take.htmle.html
http://www.bucks.edu/~specpop/tests.htmhttp://www.bucks.edu/~specpop/tests.htm
http://www.studygs.net/http://www.studygs.net/
Thanks for Coming!Thanks for Coming!
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