Exam Boot Camp

Day 3 – Test Taking Strategies

Introduction

• Day 1 - Organization & Time Management• Day 2 - Effective Study Skills• Day 3 - Test Taking Strategies• Day 4 - Managing Anxiety and Stress

Before the Test

• Ensure that you eat before the test, but avoid heavy foods that make you groggy.

• Don’t try and pull all nighters (try to get at least 5 – 8 hours of sleep the night before)

• Show up on time but don’t arrive to early• Try and avoid discussing with others what you

have studied (this can lead to panic)• Go to the bathroom before the test

Arriving for the test

• Bring extra supplies– at least two pens/pencils with good erasers)– calculator with good batters– ruler– highlighters or coloured pens(at least 3 – 4

colours)• Bring a watch to pace yourself and plan your

questioning.

Beginning the Test

• Be sure to put your whole name on your test right away. (Often students leave this and forget about it)

• Scan the whole test immediately – sense of pace, stuff you know, build confidence.

• Brain dump – write down any formulas, dates, keys terms before you begin (you may add to this list from Objective questions)

During the Test: Strategies- What works best for you??

Strategy Pros Cons

Multiple Choice First

Can get clue from the multiple choice for the questions

Can become long and tired of the test before reaching the long answer

Can be easy to lose track of time.Written Questions First

Getting the longer sections out of the way first

Miss out on clues given in the multiple choice.

Tendency to spend too long on questions (forgetting there is another section remaining

Some multiple choice and some questions

Keeps your mind fresh Can be difficult transitioning back and forth between the two.

During the Test

• Do the easiest questions first (don’t stay on a problem too long)

• Do the problems that have the greatest point values first

• Don’t rush, but pace • Write legibly (teacher will normally give more

marks for what can be read)• Record the questions you don’t know,

aren’t sure of, or want to add to so you can easily come back to them.

Tips for specific types of questions:

Different types of questions involve different strategies!!

• Multiple Choice• True and False• Fill in the Blanks• Short Answer• Essay Questions

SELECTED Response:MOST COMMON MISTAKES

1. Assuming there must be a pattern2. Spending too much time on the objectives and running out of time for

the composed response. 3. Transferring answers incorrectly from scrap paper4. Circling the wrong multiple choice answer.5. Leaving an answer blank. MARK THE ONES YOU SKIPPED TO EASILY

GO BACK LATER AND FILL IN/GUESS6. Answering a question twice – a large majority of students actually

circle two answers. REVIEW YOUR ANSWERS!!!7. MATH**** Treating questions as automatic answer questions as

opposed to mini questions which need to be worked out on paper (like the written response)

Multiple Choice

Read instruction carefully Decide on answer first before looking at list of choices, then carefully

read each choice Be sure to read all choices before coming up with an answer (they

can be very closely related) Eliminate the ones you know don’t belong. If don’t know mark it and skip it (sometimes answer may be another

part of the exam) ALWAYS come back and guess even if you don’t know (if there is no

guessing penalty) First guess is usually the right response Don’t consider a pattern or the number of a, b, c, d in a row. (This is

not a consideration in making up a test)

True/False Questions

Answer questions you know first

Watch for keywords and qualifiers.

Read carefully - often one word will make an answer true or false

ALWAYS

NEVER

EVERY

If any part of the statement is false it’s usually false

If part of the statement is true, the entire statement is not necessarily true.

Written Response:MOST COMMON MISTAKES

1. Not spending enough time on questions, not giving enough information

2. Not answering the entire question3. Ignoring the Clock4. Understanding of common keywords (compare, contrast, define, list,

explain, etc.)5. Not following directions6. Leaving an answer blank7. Thinking too much – USE YOUR POINT VALUES TO GUIDE YOU8. Not putting your name on the test

Short Answer & Fill in the Blank

There is usually one best answer… understand the question – underline the key word(s)

Start with key part of the answer, then support

Answer should fit in the space provided (brief is always better)

If lost look at other parts of the exam for help

Essay Questions

Before Beginning:• Read instructions – do 2 of 3, etc.• Decide on the ones you will answer.• Budget your time (look at point value) • Read each question and then start with the easiest • Start by brain storming – jot notes, time lines, charts, number

ideas• Create a quick plan for the essay/paragraphs.

Essay Questions

Writing:• Follow your outline (Don’t continue adding as you

go along, this leads to rambling)• You should have a short introduction and conclusion but don’t make

them too long. (An essay question on a test will not be in the same detail as an essay you have prepared at home)

• Focus on one main idea per paragraph.• Use clear concise sentences, stick to the point and don’t be long winded.• Be sure to give support.• If you aren’t sure about exact dates/numbers, use approximations

(“approximately 5000, In the late 17th century)• If you make a mistake, draw a line through it. (Erasing looks messier and

takes longer)

Written Questions: Common Mistakes

Often written questions have several questions in one. The most common mistake made by students in writing answers is to respond to one or a few questions, but not all. This happens for different reasons:• Forget about the other questions• Get rapped up in responding to one part.• Work one the first part and don’t get time to

respond to the other sections.

Solution: Highlighting Method

• Read the question carefully first and highlight the many different sections/smaller questions before even beginning, a different colour.

• Number the different questions so you know how many sections/parts you need to have to your answer.

• Write your answer responding specifically to each section.

• Use your highlighter again in your answer to be sure you have each section covered.

Highlighting Method:

• What is Exam Boot Camp? Tell me what you do in this program, what you have learned so far, what you like and what you don’t like about exam bootcamp.

KEYWORDS TO KNOW!!!!

• List– In point or numbered form, with no explanation

• Define– Provide a definition.

• Explain– Provide an answer that gives a complete overview or clear

description of the problem and solution for a particular question.

• Analyze– Take apart a concept or a process, and explain it step by

step.

KEYWORDS TO KNOW!!!

• Contrast– Show differences.

• Compare– Show likenesses and differences.

• Diagram– Explain and draw a chart or other visual to illustrate your

points.• Outline

– Provide an explanation with headings and subheadings

KEYWORDS TO KNOW!!! - MATH

• Factor - Show pieces that when multiplied give you that shown16xy2 - 8x2 y8xy(2y-x)

• Calculate Find the answer6+5 x 24

• Solve Find x-2x + 3 = -3x + 8 x=11

• Simplify Combine like pieces together

4x2 – 5xy -6y2 – 8xy – 4y2 -5x2

-x2 – 13xy – 10y2

QUIZ YOURSELF – Practice!!!

1. Explain the 4 seasons of the year.2. List the seven days of the week.3. Contrast a boy and girl.4. Compare and contrast the physical features

of a dog and a cat.

Writing Under Time Constraints

• Outline• Get to the point• Leave off introductions• Put your answer at the beginning• Avoid wordy rambling writing• If almost no time left use point form

(Check with teacher would this be okay if short on time)

Ch.11

After the Test

• Don’t spend time discussing answers to questions with others (this can lead to panic and stress)

• Take some time to relax before beginning studying for the next one. (Try and get a bit of fresh air)

RESOURCE

• Old Exams to Practice:– CRT’s (Grade 9)– Public Exams

http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/evaluation/index.html