Test-Taking Goals identify your reactions to test taking determine how your reactions to test taking...

Test-Taking Goals♦ identify your reactions to test taking

♦ determine how your reactions to test taking affect your ability to be successful

♦ use the ‘ten rules’ of test-taking

♦ identify and explain winning strategies for different types of tests

♦ explain the difference between paper tests and computer tests

♦ use this information to improve your testing success

Testing Self CheckY = yes; frequently S = sometimes N = no; never

1. I know that a low test grade does not make me a failure. Y S N

2. I realize that is it okay not to know everything on a test. Y S N

3. I follow both written and oral test directions carefully. Y S N

4. Before I begin a test, I pre-view it by looking for the point values. Y S N

5. When previewing my tests, I look for answers to other questions. Y S N

6. I budget my time effectively when I take a test. Y S N

7. On paper tests, I do the easiest questions first and come back later to

the harder ones. Y S N

8. I am aware of the differences between computer-based and paper tests. Y S N

9. I review returned tests for topics I need to understand better. Y S N

10. I learn from my testing mistakes. Y S N

Rate Yourself: Number of Y’s _____ x 100 = _____

Number of S’s _____ x 50 = _____

Number of N’s _____ x 0 = _____

Stress, Tests, and You♦ How does test taking affect you?

♦ calm and relaxed♦ tense and uptight

♦ How does your body react?♦ muscles tighten♦ appetite disappear♦ overeat

♦ Do your sleeping habits change?♦ Is your breathing steady?

♦ yawn a lot before a test

Good Stress

♦ helps you perform better♦ even when you feel anxious or

scared

♦ gets your adrenaline flowing♦ can sharpen your awareness♦ keeps you alert

♦ helps you become motivated

♦ energizes your body

Bad Stress♦ makes performing or achieving your goals

challenging

♦ may be linked to increased health problems♦ depression♦ heart disease♦ cancer

♦ demotivates you

♦ zaps your energy

♦ is a symptom of test anxiety♦ can prevent you from doing your best on

exams

Stress ReactionsStress Reactions to Tests Before, During, or After _____ I feel nervous. _____ _____ _____

_____ I feel excited. _____ _____ _____

_____ I feel relieved. _____ _____ _____

_____ I feel optimistic and make positive comments. _____ _____ _____

_____ I feel pessimistic and make negative.

comments _____ _____ _____

_____ I usually get a headache. _____ _____ _____

_____ My neck, back, or shoulders ache. _____ _____ _____

_____ I usually feel pretty good. _____ _____ _____

_____ My breathing is rapid and shallow. _____ _____ _____

Stress Reactions cont’d

_____ My breathing is relaxed and deep. _____ _____ _____

_____ My heart pounds, and my palms sweat. _____ _____ _____

_____ I lose my appetite. _____ _____ _____

_____ I panic. _____ _____ _____

_____ I have trouble sleeping. _____ _____ _____

_____ My mind goes blank. _____ _____ _____

_____ I’m afraid I won’t have enough time to finish. _____ _____ _____

_____ I worry that I’ve studied the wrong things. _____ _____ _____

_____ I worry that I have done poorly. _____ _____ _____

_____ I am confident in my ability to do well. _____ _____ _____

_____ I am afraid I don’t know everything. _____ _____ _____

_____ I feel stupid. _____ _____ _____

_____ ____________________________ _____ _____ _____

Letting Go of Anxiety

♦ Dealing with Feelings♦ breathe♦ scan your body♦ tense and relax♦ use guided imagery♦ describe it♦ exercise aerobically♦ get help

Letting Go of Anxiety

♦ Dealing with Thoughts♦ mentally yell ‘STOP’♦ daydream♦ visualize success♦ focus♦ praise yourself♦ consider the worst

Ten Rules of Test-Taking

Rule 1: Act as if you will succeed.♦ thought is powerful♦ negative thoughts raise stress levels

♦ confidence may drop♦ leads to feelings of failure

♦ think about success♦ smile

♦ take deep, slow breaths

♦ close your eyes♦ imagine getting test back with a good grade

written at the top

♦ learn more about visualization and positive self-talk


Rule 2: Arrive ahead of time.♦ being on time sets your mind at ease♦ have a better chance of getting your

favorite seat♦ let go of your anxiety♦ spend time relaxing and preparing

yourself for the game ahead


Rule 3: Bring the essential testing tools.♦ extra pens, sharpened pencils, erasers, a

calculator, dictionary, other needed items ♦ if open-book:

♦ notes – create your own index♦ textbook – plan on using text’s index

♦ Post-It© notes placed at important spots

♦ flashcards you have made♦ other study tools you have made


Rule 4: Ignore panic pushers.♦ people who ask you questions about the

material to be tested on♦ people who ask about how much or long you

studied

♦ if you know the answers♦ you will be confident

♦ if you do not know the answers♦ you may panic and lose your confidence

♦ spend your time concentrating on what you know, not what you don’t know


Rule 5: Pre-view the playing field.♦ listen to instructions

♦ read directions slowly and carefully♦ clarify anything you do not understand

♦ determine the point spread♦ decide how much time you can spend on each

question and still finish the test on time ♦ know the point value; ask if necessary

♦ look for easier and more challenging sections

♦ do these first

Rule 5 continued

♦ budget your time♦ look at point value of a section not the

number of questions♦ stick to your time limits on sections♦ budget time to look over the test at end

♦ use the test as an information tool♦ look for clues that answer other questions♦ use terminology from objective questions for

essays


Rule 6: Write in the margin.♦ before you begin the test; do a memory

dump; write down:♦ key terms♦ names♦ dates♦ memory aids♦ formulas♦ any information you’ll need and might forget

♦ do an outline or mind map before starting each essay question


Rule 7: Complete the easiest, shortest questions first.♦ helps build your experience of success♦ stimulates associations and prepares you for

more difficult questions♦ mark tough questions so you can come back

later♦ avoid spending too much time on a challenging

question♦ might run out of time to answer the questions

you do know♦ if you are stuck, move on


Rule 8: Know if there is a guessing penalty.♦ no penalty and time is running out

♦ take a wild guess (true or ‘c’)

♦ there is a penalty♦ choose your answers wisely♦ leave blank the answers you do not know

♦ unsure about guessing penalties♦ ask your instructor


Rule 9: Avoid changing answers.♦ research has shown that three out of four

times your first choice is usually correct♦ if you think your first answer is wrong

because you misread the question♦ do change your answer

♦ avoid changing answers unless you are absolutely sure your answer is wrong


Rule 10: Write clearly and neatly.♦ easy to read♦ look presentable♦ answers in the right places♦ easier it is for the instructor to read

♦ better your chances of getting a higher grade

True-False Questions

♦ read directions carefully

♦ usually easier as you have only two choices

♦ read the whole statement carefully♦ one word can make a statement inaccurate

♦ look for absolute or limiting words♦ examples: always, every, all, no, never, none,

only, entirely, guaranteed, great, much, etc.♦ leave little room for exceptions♦ sentences containing these words would seldom

be true


♦ look for tentative words.♦ examples: seldom, sometimes, some,

often, most, many, few, usually, generally, frequently, ordinarily, etc.

♦ provide room for exceptions ♦ sentences containing these words would

usually be true

♦ long true-false statement♦ more likely is true


♦ any part of it is false♦ whole statement is false

♦ watch for negative words and prefixes♦ examples: not, never, none, no, except,

etc. and il-, im-, ir-, dis-, un-, non-, a-, etc. ♦ circle or underline these negatives

♦ do not disregard them

♦ consider omitting the word♦ decide the answer without the negative♦ put the word back in♦ reverse the answer

Sample True-False Test______ 1. All people have similar ways of learning.

______ 2. Men are usually physically stronger than women.

______ 3. Rote memorization is the most efficient way to learn.

______ 4. Some students study a lot, but no one studies as much as they should.

______ 5. The way to learn the most effectively is not to give in to distractions.

______ 6. Some birds do not fly.

______ 7. College is always harder than high school.

______ 8. For a job interview, you must wear clean, neatly pressed clothes and look presentable.

______ 9. Smart students always study two to three hours each day for every class.

______ 10. Frequently, students leave too much studying to do until finals week.

Multiple-Choice Questions

♦ read directions carefully♦ how many correct answers are possible?♦ are you looking for the correct answer(s)

or the best answer or the worst answer?♦ are you looking for similarities or

opposites?♦ do you need a singular or plural answer?♦ clarify if you are not sure


♦ be wary of ‘all of the above’ or ‘none of the above’ responses especially if not used very often♦ often are ‘fill’ answers

♦ answer each question in your head before you look at the possible answers

♦ read the question and each option separately♦ make sure you consider all options

♦ consider each as a true or false statement

♦ mark it to the side accordingly


♦ be suspicious of negatives and absolutes♦ circle or underline these to make sure you are

aware of them

♦ answer negatives positively first, then the exception will stand out

♦ carefully consider similar options, opposite answers, more general or more inclusive options

♦ learn how to make educated guesses

Sample Multiple-Choice Test

______ 1. Bears can be found wandering a) in the woods. d) in the mountains. b) in parks. e) all of the above c) in fields. ______ 2. Students frequently succeed in test taking because a) all tests are easy. c) they always do their assignments on time. b) they are usually prepared. d) they always try hard. ______ 3. Migraine headaches are most commonly caused by a) allergic reactions to food. c) allergic reactions to medicine. b) lack of sleep. d) heredity. ______ 4. The reasons most students give for failing tests include a) studying the wrong information. c) not having enough time to study. b) cramming and being unprepared. d) being given unfair tests. ______ 5. All of the following are ingredients of student success except a) taking good notes. c) learning from mistakes. b) studying ahead of time. d) cramming for exams.

Sample Multiple-Choice Test

______ 6. Students go to class because a) since it is necessary. c) it is the most fun way to spend the day. b) information is being taught. d) the law of xfghot recommends it. ______ 7. Which statement(s) is (are) not correct? a) Students often study in the library. c) Most students should try to study more. b) Students do not study enough. d) All professors should give essay tests. ______ 8. Colleges often a) get torn down. b) try to educate students in the worst possible manner with the greatest amount of expense. c) change their names. d) try to educate students in the best possible manner with the least amount of expense. ______ 9. The distance from Paris to New York is approximately a) 3000 – 4000 miles. c) 9000 – 10,000 miles b) 10 – 20 kilometers d) 500 – 100 miles

Scantron Tests

♦ make sure the answer you mark corresponds to the question you are answering

♦ check the test booklet against the answer sheet whenever:♦ you switch sections♦ come to the top of a column

♦ if you skip a question♦ make sure you are marking the correct answer spot

♦ watch for stray marks♦ can be ‘read’ as answers

♦ use the right kind of pencil

Matching Questions

♦ when used♦ usually only a part of a test

♦ similar to multiple choice♦ only the correct response needs to be

identified

♦ more challenging ♦ must locate the matching terms or ideas

from a list

Matching Questions

♦ read directions carefully♦ ask questions if necessary♦ can options be used more than once?♦ are you looking for similar or opposite

terms or ideas?

♦ count number of choices in each column♦ if not equal – work from longer column to

shorter column

Matching Questions

♦ consider each option each time♦ systematically eliminate distracters

♦ answer the easiest ones first♦ where possible, cross off the used ones

♦ consider grammatical clues♦ match up nouns, adjectives, events, dates

♦ mentally repeat the choices♦ helps you to focus

Sample Matching Test______ 1. Active Learning A. Listening for instructor clues ______ 2. Background knowledge B. Getting an overview of a chapter ______ 3. Critical Thinking C. What you already know ______ 4. Previewing D. Idealistic, but impractical ______ 5. Passive Learning E. Used for efficient studying and living ______ 6. Mind Wandering F. Look over or view generally ______ 7. Learning Influences G. Some things that affect your concentration ______ 8. Skimming and scanning H. Learning like a rock ______ 9. Time Management I. Learning like a sponge ______ 10. Survey J. High or fast reading gears. ______ 11. Test-Taking K. Note-taking method ______ 12. Quixotic L. Used for evaluation M. Can only be reduced not eliminated N. Thinking about thinking

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

♦ usually are only a part of a test

♦ more difficult than multiple-choice, matching or true-false sections

♦ leave this part until the last ♦ look for the answer in other questions

♦ use memory techniques when stuck

♦ reword the question so that the blank is at the end, if possible

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

♦ watch for grammatical clues♦ is the verb singular or plural?♦ does the word “a” or “an” appear before

the blank?

♦ your answer must make sense in the context in which it is written

♦ consider the length of the blank; usually:♦ a short blank means a short answer♦ a long blank means a long answer♦ two blanks means a two-word answer

Sample Fill-in-the-Blank Test

1. _______________________________ is the process for becoming a citizen. 2. The largest animal in the world is a _________________________. 3. ________ ____________ ____________ is the collective name of Superior, Huron, Erie, Ontario, and Michigan. 4. ____________________ means putting off doing something unpleasant or burdensome until a future time. 5. All readers should learn to read faster because it increases their ______________________. 6. The best way to build vocabulary is to use your ______________ _____________________. 7 An ____________ learner is one who takes responsibility for his or her learning and learns from mistakes. 8. Lions are most likely to be found in _____________________.

Short Answer Questions♦ think before you write

♦ generally requires an answer of only a few sentences

♦ look for key words♦ learn these definitions♦ start off by restating the key words in your answer

♦ give direct, concise answers♦ over-learning material really pays off♦ when you are unsure of the answer:

♦ guess if there are no guessing penalties♦ leave plenty of space between answers

Essay Questions

♦ test directions are especially important♦ how many essay questions do you need to

answer?♦ how long should the essay be?

♦ how should you budget your time?

♦ what type of answers should you give?♦ use the list of key words

♦ how many components do you need to respond to within the question?

Essay Questions

♦ write for the intended audience♦ intended audience is your professor♦ write as though the reader knows nothing

about the topic♦ write in essay form; this means:

♦ paragraphs♦ topic sentences♦ transition words between paragraphs♦ complete sentences♦ etc.

Essay Questions

♦ organize your ideas before you begin writing♦ think about how the ideas flow♦ consider using an outline or mind map in

the margin♦ enables you to write faster♦ less likely to leave out important facts♦ if you don’t have time to finish:

♦ your outline could win you some points

Essay Questions

♦ get to the point quickly♦ forget introductions♦ include part of the question in your

answer♦ when you expand your answer with

supporting materials and facts, ♦ start out with the most solid points

♦ be accurate grammatically and with spelling♦ consider using a pocket dictionary if

allowed

Essay Questions

♦ make your paper easy to read♦ write neatly

♦ use an erasable pen

♦ write on the right-hand side of your test♦ leave the left side for making changes and additions

♦ leave space between answers♦ write on top side of paper only♦ leave margins – side, top, and bottom♦ name, date, and number every loose page♦ summarize your answer first♦ substitute synonyms for words you use frequently♦ use connecting words to make the essay flow

Essay Questions

♦ proofread your answers♦ silently reread

♦ word for word

♦ pronounce every word in your head♦ catch grammatical and spelling mistakes♦ look at flow of ideas and organization

Performance Tests

♦ different than written tests

♦ require a performance or demonstration

♦ preparation:♦ study and understand the information you

have to demonstrate♦ practice until you are sure you can perform

the required task well

♦ study, then practice, practice, practice

Open-Book Tests♦ prepare thoroughly for these♦ usually more difficult♦ when studying:

♦ write down any formulas you will need on a separate sheet

♦ place Post-It © notes or paper clips on important pages

♦ tables, flowcharts, etc.

♦ number notes and make a short table of contents

Computer-Based Tests♦ usually multiple choice

♦ score based on how well you answer and on the number of questions you answer

♦ usually a penalty for wrong answers

♦ testing time management is key

♦ complete on-line tutorials and sample questions before attempting test

♦ visit web site of the test maker for more information on the test

Computer-Based Tests♦ results are usually provided immediately♦ before you finish you may have the

opportunity to cancel the results before you see your score

♦ if you cancel:♦ you will need to reschedule another testing

date

♦ you will pay again

♦ if you see your score♦ cannot cancel the test

♦ must accept the results

Computer-Based Tests

♦ linear mode:♦ questions are preset and given in numerical

order♦ can return to any question

Computer-Based Tests

♦ computer- adaptive♦ selects the difficulty of the next question

based on your previous answer♦ you must answer the question the first

time you see it♦ you cannot go back and change your

answer

Test-Taking

♦ taking a test is like playing a game♦ object of the game is to get as many points as

possible in the time you are given to play

♦ remember there is always another opportunity to play the game, or take a test

♦ you can use these strategies for every type of test you take♦ may not work all the time♦ works most of the time

Test-Taking Goals identify your reactions to test taking determine how your reactions to test taking...

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