Taking TestsCenter for Academic Advising and

Retention Services (CAARS)

Taking Tests

ONo. 1 TipOBefore the testODuring the testOTypes of testsOTrue-False and beyond…

Most Important *

Practice*Practice*

Practice*

Before the Test

OStudy in advance -use good time management skills

OKnow what type of test will be given

OStay caught up on reading assignments

Before the Test

OStudy the most difficult material first

OGet help from teacher and a tutor

OStudy your teacher

Before the Test

OPredict likely questionsOWhat have past tests featured?

OQuiz Yourself

What NOT To Do

ODo not cramODo not stay up all night

The Day of the Test

OBe careful about what you eat and drink

ODo not talk with other students, about the test—this can give you unwanted anxiety

The Day of the Test

OAnxiety? OArrive early for the exam

OWrite down your fears

ORemember this is just one test

The Day of the Test OSkim the testOSkip a difficult question but be sure to come back to it

OIgnore other students

ODon’t Panic

Types of Tests

Matching Tests

ORead items in BOTH columns first

OAnswer the items you know first

ORecheck your answers

True False Tests

OMost tests have more true answers

ORead the question thoroughly and look for

words that may make the answer false…

True False Tests

Look For:OExtreme Modifiers

True False TestsOExtreme modifiers: “best,” “always,” “none,” “all,” “never”, “certainly,” “everybody,” “nothing” These phrases are often false.

True False Tests

Look For:OQualifiers

True False Tests

OQualifiers: “seldom,” “often,” “may,” “unlikely”, “many,” “probably,” “a majority,” and “sometimes” These phrases are often true.

True False Tests

ODouble negatives. Example: “not uncommon” means “common”.

Multiple Choice Exam s

OKnow how much time you have

ORead the entire question

OAnswer the easiest questions first

Multiple Choice Example

Which of the following statements best characterizes delivery reliability?

A company that…a. delivers on the same day of the weekb. delivers at the promised timec. delivers more frequently than its competitorsd. delivers faster than its competitors

Multiple Choice Exam s

ORead the questions –answer without lookingat the choices

ODecide which choice most closely matches your initial response

Multiple Choice Exam

OMark out answers you KNOW are incorrect

OAlways guess unless you are penalized

Multiple Choice Exams

ODo not change your first response unless you are sure it is incorrect

OLook for answers which use familiar language

Essay Exams

At the exam:OFirst- read all the questions

OAnswer easiest question first

OManage your timeOUse a pencil

Essay Exams

At the exam:OWrite down what you know about the topic, including key terms

OOrganize what you writeOYour answers should inform & persuade

Essay Exams

Think in Threes O Include three main points about the topic

O Support each point with three specific details.

Essay Exams Cont.

OAnalyzeOCompare

OContrastODefineODescribe

ODiagramOEvaluateOExplainOInterpret

OJustify

OListOOutlineOSummarize

Look for a “direction” word

Short Answer TestOProvide a definition or a short

descriptionOFlash cards can be beneficial –

Quizlet.comODo not leave an answer blankOThese tests will ask you to:

ODefineO IdentifyOListOName

**Activity**

“The Story of Billy and Tom”

An Inference Check

ReferencesO Downing, S. 2008. On course: Strategies for creating success

in college and in life. 5th edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.

O Walther, D. R. 1994. Toolkit for college success. Belmont: International Thomson Publishing.

O Muskingum College. (2010). Learning Strategies Database. Retrieved January 16, 2011, from Muskingum College: www.muskingum.edu/~cal/database/general/index.html.

O Begley, S. (2011). Can you build a better brain. Retrieved January 16, 2011, from Newsweek: http://www.newsweek.com/2011/01/03/can-you-build-a-better-brain.html.

For More Information

Contact: Heather Unger-Robertson Learning Support Coordinator/Academic AdvisorUniversity of North AlabamaKeller Hall 119256-765-5949hurobertson@una.edu