Test Taking Strategies

Below are some useful tips and strategies to help you with your studying - check them out!

Preparing For Exams Begins The First Day Of Class

On the first day of class, your professor will provide a syllabus with important information about the course, including assignments, projects, and exams. Review the syllabus and look for the following:

• The number of exams or tests listed for the semester and when they are scheduled.
• Ask your professor questions about exams on the first day of class, so you can adjust how you study for the class. Some questions you could ask are:
  • What types of exams are given? Objective, Essay, Multiple Choice, True/False, or Varied (includes all types)?
  • If exams are varied, how many of each type of question?
  • How much time is given to take the exam? Will students have the entire class period, half of the period on one day and half of the period on another day, or is it a take home exam?

Once you know the requirements for the class, you can set a realistic schedule to break down the readings and tasks into blocks for maximum learning efficiency. 

• Break down reading assignments in two/three parts each week.
• Allow time for daily review of notes and highlighted areas of text for better recall.
• Allow time to create index cards with terms and definitions to be used as memory aids.
• Make time for study group discussions.
• Write test questions to help you actively think about an exam: use your notes, comments in the text margins, text subheadings, and turn these into questions. You can use these questions as a study guide for an exam.

If several tests are scheduled, you may have a shorter amount of time to study for each one, and your schedule should reflect this. You need to do more than recognize what is being asked, you must be able to identify it and give specific details (e.g. dates, names, places, examples).

• You may have to read entire chapters per study block.
• Find ways to connect the material to the previous day's lecture.
• Schedule study groups and divide text sections among each group member to outline important information.
• Create study tools such as index cards, and review notes daily for better recall and association of material.

The Day of The Exam

• Get to class a few minutes early, so you can settle in and not feel rushed.
• Before you start the exam, look at the entire test. How many multiple choice, short answer, and essay are there on the exam? For example, say it is a 60 minute test and there are 20 multiple choice, 10 short answer (fill in), and one essay (needing two examples). How much time will you need for each section? You need to spend at least 5 minutes to write an outline for the essay, 30 seconds per multiple choice, and one minute per fill in. That gives you 25 minutes for the essay which usually carries the most points.
• Start the exam, and if you get to a question and are unsure of the answer, put a check mark next to it and move on. The key is to answer as many questions you can in a set amount of time for maximum points. The more you answer, the more confident you will become. Go from question to question - do not go backwards - you can answer those you are unsure of at the end of the exam if there is time left.
• Answer multiple choice questions first because these questions hold varied information that may answer the fill in questions and/or give examples for the essay.

Objective Tests

According to the Writing and Learning Center at Cal Poly State University: Objective exams include true-false, fill-in-the-blank, matching, and multiple choice questions. The word objective refers to the scoring and indicates there is only one correct answer. Objective tests rely heavily on your skill to read quickly and to reason out the answer.

Subjective Tests

These are exams that are opinion based, but answers may vary from student to student dependent upon examples used or details given. Subjective tests are usually more general in nature than objective tests, but specific facts and organization are expected. Recall rather than memorization is the skill used to answer questions on these types of exams. It is better to understand the general concepts of the issue with a few details than a large amount of unorganized material that seems unrelated when presented.

Multiple Choice Exams

Most professors develop multiple choice questions by synthesizing material from more than one source, creating a dual-layered question that demands analysis of the question rather than memorization.

• Read the question.
• If the question is long, underline the subject and verb to help you focus appropriately.
• Read each possible answer without bias. Do not stop and think about the answer - just read each answer.
• Now, focus on the answer you think is correct. If there is more than one answer, reread the question, and make sure you understand what the words mean in the question. Look at the answers again and decide. If you still cannot answer, put a check next to the question and move on.
• Evaluate whether the answer choices are giving general or specific information. If you can think of an exception for the specific statement, then the general statement is usually correct.
• Read the question carefully and underline negative (not, never, neither) or affirmative words (always, all, only). This usually signifies the answer must be a specific fact instead of a general statement.
• If you have time at the end of the exam, go back and answer the questions you placed check marks next to. Do not change the answers to those you already completed.

True-False Questions

• Look for open and closed words in the question. Open words like often or usually are found in true statements whereas closed words like never and always are often found in false statements.
• Pay attention to statements with two clauses - both must be true in order to be the correct answer.

Short Answer

These are similar to essay questions in that you should write out the examples or terms you want to use in the answer. If they are fill in questions, you should move through them fast, answering those you easily recall. Oftentimes, the answers can be found in the multiple choice area, but you do not want to spend too much time trying to figure out the answer. Keep in mind how much each question is worth in points, and how many points you will lose if you take too much time on one question.

Essay Exams

When preparing for essay exams, you should write down the main topics discussed in the assigned chapters of the texts and in your notes. Make sure you understand the general concepts of each topic (know the who, what, when, where, why) and provide at least two examples. Recite the material out loud in your own words to ensure recall and comprehension. Reread and review sections in the text where you have limited understanding and comprehension.

• Carefully read the question. Break the question into parts, so you know what you need to answer for full credit.
• Note what type of question is being asked - compare and contrast, analyze and comment, etc.
• Take time to create an outline on your answer sheet, so even if you don't complete the essay, the professor can see where you were going and may give you points. Although you are taking a few minutes away from answering the essay, it will increase your chances for a more coherent answer with examples and an essay that makes sense. Use the parts of the essay to help create the outline - this will help with organization and keep you focused.
• Follow your outline and begin the essay. Write straight through and do not vary from the outline. If you try to change the direction of your essay, you may finish with an essay that is difficult to read. The easier your essay is to read and the better it flows, the easier it will be for your professor to follow your train of thought.
• When you are done, reread the directions and make sure you answered the entire question. If you still have time, reread your essay and correct any spelling and grammar errors.

The Exam Is Not Over When You Turn It In

Taking the exam is only the first part to knowing what you know. The second part comes after turning in the exam. Once your professor grades it, you will have an opportunity to understand what you do and do not know. 

• Review your answers and find out why you missed particular questions, what type of questions they were, and if you answered the whole question or only part. 
• Find the correct answers to the questions you answered incorrectly, and write them down for reference. This is especially useful if you will be taking a comprehensive final exam. 
• Make sure you talk with the professor about how you can improve and/or ask for clarification on questions you did not understand.

Test Anxiety

What is it?

Most students experience some level of anxiety, but in some cases, it can be overwhelming. The physiological symptoms of test anxiety include sweaty palms, going blank, butterflies in the stomach.

Test anxiety can interfere with a student's ability to start and finish tests. If this is the case for you, you may want to seek additional assistance from a health and wellness counselor to gain a better understanding of your anxiety and how to cope with it.

What are ways to reduce it?

• Assess your study skills and work on those you need to improve on to ensure successful learning efficiency.
• Be prepared. The more time you give yourself to prepare and learn course material, the more confident you will feel on the day of the exam.
• Keep organized and on task. Stick with. a schedule, so you know internally that you have given yourself enough time to study.
• Get enough sleep, starting two nights before the exam.
• Keep hydrated and eat well balanced meals. Make sure you eat breakfast or lunch before the exam with at least 20 minutes to digest.
• Exercise to eliminate stress.
• Do activities that relax you such as listening to music, spending time in nature, talking to friends.

Test Anxiety and the day of the exam

• Give yourself enough time to get to the exam and find a comfortable seat.
• Take a few minutes to close your eyes and take some deep breaths.

Test Anxiety and taking the exam

• Remember your test taking strategies before you begin, and remind yourself some anxiety is normal, and you studied appropriately and know the material.
• If you do not immediately recognize a question, go to the next.
• If you go blank, put your pen or pencil down ,and sit up straight. Take two or three deep breaths, and then pick up your pen or pencil again, and begin.
• Occasionally stretch, so your body stays relaxed.
• Do not pay attention to others movements or if they turn in their exams before you. You do not get points for being the first one to turn in your exam.

Bibliography:

Pauk, Walter. How to Study in College. (2nd ed.), Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston, New York
Ellis, David B. Becoming A Master Student. (11th ed.), Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston, New York
De Sellers, Dochen, Carol, Hodges, Russ. Academic Transformation (1st ed.), Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey
Crawford, June. A College Study Skills Manual: Ten Tips for Academic Success, Cambridge Strafford, Ltd.