Test-Taking Strategies

ENG 073 – Academic Reading

QVCC – Fall 2008

On Test Day

Get some sleep Eat breakfast

Be prepared

When you get the test…

Preview the entire test Read the directions Review your work if you have time

Multiple Choice

Multiple Choice are not necessarily the easiest questions. You must be able to: Fully understand the material Be able to define terms Critically analyze and think Apply your knowledge

Multiple Choice

Read the entire question and all of the possible answers

Translate double negative statements into positive phrases “not lacking” becomes “having” “not any” becomes “some” Which of these are NOT…

Multiple Choice

Eliminate the answers that you know are incorrect

1. Quinnebaug Valley Community College is located in:

a. Lebanon, CT

b. Willimantic, CT

c. White Plains, NY

d. Brooklyn, CT

Multiple Choice

“All of the Above”/ “None of the Above” If you are CERTAIN that at least one of the

answers is TRUE – do not choose “None of the Above”

If you are CERTAIN that at least one of the answers is FALSE – do not choose “All of the Above”

Multiple Choice

Go with your gut – you’re probably right

True/False

Never leave them blank – you have a 50/50 shot!

Look for qualifiers never, always, and every (statement must be

true all of the time) usually, sometimes, and generally (statement

can be considered true or false depending on the circumstances)

True/False

Part of the statement is False

Entire statement is False

Part of the statement is True

All of the statement is true

Short Answer

To prepare Use flashcards for key points, dates, names

Revolutionary War - British v. Americans - 1775–1783 - Also known as War of Independence

Short Answer

Partial credit Look for directional words

LIST EXPLAIN

DESCRIBE

COMPARE NAME

DISCUSS

Essay

Read carefully; look for directions Answer ALL of the question

Education comes not from books but from practical experience. Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks: Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific situation in which books might educate students better than practical experience. Discuss what you think determines when practical experience provides a better education than books do.

Essay

Watch Your Time Be Neat

Essay

Use outlines in your margins

Make notes before you begin

Quantitative/Math

Memorize formulas – write those down on your test when you get it!

Quantitative/Math

Show your work!!!

Most importantly…

RELAX!!!!