Taking TestsEXAM

How to Take a Test

Chapter 5

“Tests are not a measure of your value as an individual—they are a measure only of how well (and how much) you studied.”

P.O.W.E.R. Plan

PPreparerepare: : Readying Your Test-Taking Readying Your Test-Taking StrategiesStrategies

OOrganizerganize: : Facing the Day of the TestFacing the Day of the Test WWorkork: : Tackling the TestTackling the Test EEvaluatevaluate: : Taking Your Own Final Taking Your Own Final

ExaminationExamination RRethinkethink: : The Real Test of LearningThe Real Test of Learning

Why Tests Are So Unpopular

Produce fear Cause anxiety Increase apprehension Focus on grades

Tests Can Be Valuable

Identifies what you know Compares your performance to others Motivates you to study

But how do YOU feel about tests?

Tests are a Measurement

Tests are not a measure of your value as an individual.

They only measure how well (and how much) you studied, and your

test-taking skills.

Prepare: Readying your Test-Taking Strategies

Attend class Complete all assignments Find out what type of test you will be

given Ask teacher what material will be

covered or if there is a review Check your syllabus to determine how

much the test will count

What’s in a Name?

Quizzes Brief assessment covering a small amount of

material, doesn’t count much Tests

More extensive and covers more material than quizzes

Exams Weighted more heavily, more comprehensive

than tests

Types of Test Questions

Essay questions Look at the big picture See the connections

between the facts

Multiple-choice, true-false, matching Choose best answer

Short-answer Brief responses

True-False Accurate or inaccurate

Matching Pair correct items

together

Fill-in Add missing words

Test Anxiety

Temporary condition characterized by fears and concerns about test-taking

Prepare thoroughly Learn relaxation techniques Visualize success Form a study group

Techniques for Dealing with Math Anxiety

Myths Boys are better than girls at math Math has no practical value

Study groups are small, informal groups that are useful for learning course material.

To Cram or Not to Cram?

Hurried, last-minute studying is not the best answer. Long-term retention is lost and you are likely to forget the material.

Instead, use your campus learning or tutorial center resources.

Organize: Facing Test Day

Bring at least two pens/two pencils to test

Bring your watch Don’t forget blue book if needed Bring text if open-book test Bring eraser

Work: Tackling the Test Try to relax and remember to “breathe” Read instructions and skim the entire

exam Spend time on questions that count the

most Answer easier questions first Write legibly

Computerized Test-Scoring

If you feel your test was graded incorrectly, ask your instructor to go over the test with you.

Computerized testing isn’t perfect.

Conquering Essay Questions

Turn to page 131 in your text Learn the differences between words

used in essay questions For example, “Should students pay for

the cost of copies in the library?” Clarify, Discuss, Justify, State

What’s the Difference?

“College life is very different from the life of a student in high school”

Explain (give reasons why or how; clarify, justify, illustrate)

Prove (using evidence and arguments, convince the reader of a particular point)

Master Multiple-Choice

Watch out for “every”, “always”, “only”, “none”, and “never”. These are rarely correct answers.

“Generally”, “usually”, “often”, “rarely”, “seldom” and “typically” may indicate a correct response.

Educated Guess

Eliminate false answers Narrow it down to correct answer

True-False Questions

Answer the ones you know first Don’t rush Key words such as “never”, “always”

often determine response

Matching Questions

Match items you know are correct first Use educated guess on the rest

Short-Answer and Fill-In Questions

Require specific answers Be as short as possible

Academic Dishonesty

Plagiarism Copying another’s work Copying another’s idea without giving

credit (quotations needed) Paraphrasing without giving credit

(document source) Results in lower grade or expulsion from

class or college

Academic Dishonesty

Includes using a calculator when it is not allowed

Taking an exam for another person Stealing an exam Using a textbook for a closed-book exam Is plain wrong

Evaluate: Taking Your Own Final Exam

Check your work at the end of a test Look for unanswered questions Correct misspelled words Guess the answer rather than leave it

blank (since it will be wrong anyway) Know when to stop

Rethink: Reflect on the Real Test of Learning

When you get the grade back-- Examine mistakes and learn from them Examine your handwriting skills Get the correct answers Talk to instructor if needed

Career Connections

Tests do not end with a degree. Many professions require licensing exams or

continuing education. Careers in medicine, law or business require national, standardized

tests.

PREPARE

ORGANIZE

WORK

EVALUATE

RETHINK

Review your work on aregular basis

Bring the right tools to the test;

follow directions carefully

Tackle the test

Save time to check your work;know when to stop

Reflect on what you’ve learnedwhen you get a test back

P.O.W.E.R. Plan

Resources

How to Ace Any Test by Beverley Chin (Wiley, 2004)

Test Anxiety and What You Can Do About It by Joseph Casbarro (National Professional Resources, 2003)

Handout of suggestions on approaching multiple-choice exams

http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/hndouts/multicho.html

Suggestions to manage and reduce level of stress and test-anxiety

http://www.coun.uvic.ca/personal/stress.html

Web Links

Journal Topics

What makes a test “good and bad” from your perspective?

What factors contribute to your success or failure on a a particular exam? Which are these factors are under your control?

What strategies do you use when taking tests to maximize your performance?