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Home - College Skills - Test Taking Skills
Test Taking Skills
Final Review Schedule
ONE WEEK UNTIL EXAM
- Gather ALL materials together
- Lecture notes
- Textbook marking
- Old exams/Quizzes
- Homework
- Practice Problems/Examples
- Divide up into logical portions (Do not try to cover 6 chapters in a day)
- Set goals for each course
EACH DAY
- Review previous material
- Study a new portion
- Practice various study techniques (ex. Use charts, index cards, practice questions)
DAY BEFORE EXAM
- Compose and master study guide
- Take practice exam
- Get a good night's sleep
DAY OF THE EXAM
- Eat a good breakfast
- Final review of study guide
- Go to exam confidently
Cramming will lead to stress and potentially confusion during the exam. Divide the information into manageable amounts and master it each day.
Sample Review Schedule
Weekend |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Gather Materials |
Review Chapters 1 and 2 |
Review Chapters 1, 2, 3, & Notes |
Compose and Master Study Guide |
Final Review of Study Guide |
Study Chapter 1 and 2 Notes |
Study Chapter 3 & Notes |
Study Chapter 4 and Notes |
Take Sample Test |
Go to Test Confidently |
MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
- Don't overplay the exam's importance
- Rehearse positive statements
Self-Talk
Negative |
Positive |
Anxious |
Task-Oriented |
At Home |
At Home |
Math has never been a strength for me.
I'm never going to pass this exam. |
Math has never been a strength for me, but if I practice and ask questions I should be okay. |
In Exam Room |
In Exam Room |
This is a dumb question. It is impossible
So I'll skip it. |
This is harder. I'll jot down a few ideas and come back to it. |
The others are finishing. They'll probably get "A's". I'm going to flunk out. |
The others are finishing. That's okay, I'll go back to #3. Some of the answers are coming back to me. |
Test Taking Skills
DAY OF THE EXAM
- Review your study guide. Don't cram.
- Study Deeply
- Engage in a relaxed activity the last hour or two before the exam
- Be prepared with necessary tools
- Avoid peers that are "anxiety generators"
DURING THE TEST PERIOD
- Survey the entire exam
- Start with the easiest question(s)
- Focus on content rather than feelings
- Read the directions carefully
- Don't dwell on difficult questions. Work through the rest of the exam and them return to skipped questions
THE TYPE OF TEST DETERMINES HOW I WORK THROUGH AN EXAM
MULTIPLE CHOICE
- Read the stem carefully
- Recall the correct answer
- Read every option -- Remember you are usually looking for the BEST answer.
- Compare each option to what you know is the right answer
- Do not change answers unless they are obviously wrong
ESSAY
- Again read directions and ALL questions carefully
- Briefly outline answer in margin or on scrap paper
- Answer the question clearly and directly
- Use appropriate terms
- Support with examples and facts
- Reread your answer to check for clarity. Did you answer the question fully?
AFTER THE EXAM
- Reward yourself
- Learn from the exam by searching for a pattern to your errors
- See your professor
printable version
The Learning Enrichment Services can assist with the achievement of your academic goals. Contact the Programs Coordinator at 824-6731. |
