TEST TAKING HINTS

ANXIETY

Tips to reduce the fear of testing:

Prepare for the test in advance: ask yourself questions, review old tests, practice taking a test you make up. Cramming increases anxiety!! Do not eat a lot of sugar or drink too much caffeine before a major test! Practice Relaxation Exercises: Get in touch with your tension: Relax, visualize, and remember…. Calm and Relax… As your instructor for sample tests, study sheets and any extra material available for review. Review notes more than one time.

ESSAY TESTS

Before the test, learn the topics, focus on the whole picture and key words, and practice an outline.
READ ALL THE DIRECTIONS BEFORE STARTING THE TEST…. Scan the test and answer the questions you know first. Make sure you have an outline and follow it, starting with a thesis statement that
Answers the question and uses key words. Define any terms you think the reader does not understand and make sure to give good examples that support your point. Budget your time, proofread and correct neatly.

MATH TESTING

Word Problems: Read the problem; restate it in your own words.
Check your answer using the opposite operation; (if you add to get the answer, then subtract to check…0
Make a chart, graph or aid before you solve a difficult problem.
DID YOU READ THE ENTIRE PROBLEM AND DID YOU READ IT CORRECTLY?

• Most Math errors are from simple mistakes!
• Always reduce to the lowest form!

OBJECTIVE TESTS

Study the important information, (notes, bold items in texts, items mentioned several times by the teacher, etc.)
Use your memory aids, identify your learning style to ensure success!

• READ ALL DIRECTIONS AND QUESTIONS CAREFULLY!
• Answer the questions you know first.
• Rule out wrong choices, if part of the answer is wrong, the entire answer is wrong.
• Look at other questions to help with answers.
• Try to answer all questions, unless the teacher indicates a penalty for guessing.
• Review your test, change answers only if you feel certain that you have eliminated all other answers.
• If the test is true/false, watch out for:
  • Qualifiers, words such as always, never, none or all: The statement is usually false.
  • If qualifiers such as generally or often are used, the statement is usually true.
  • Double negatives should be crossed out and then read the remaining statement.
  • If any part of the statement is false, the entire statement is false!!