Study Skills & Test Taking

Gia C. JonesUniversity College Advising CenterMiddle Tennessee State University

There are specific study tips that help you learn more information; however, you should first know your Biological Rhythm and Learning Style.

Study Skills:How to Study

Biological Rhythm:

◦ Some individuals are more alert and productive during the morning hours and some individuals may be more alert and productive during the evening hours.

◦ Conduct study sessions when you are most alert and focused.

Study Skills:How to Study

Learning Styles:

◦ Visual Learners: learn best from visual stimuli/methods (e.g. charting, maps, flash cards)

◦ Auditory Learners: learn best from auditory stimuli/methods (e.g. recording lectures)

◦ Tactile Learners: learn best from hands-on experience (e.g. laboratory experiments)

Study Skills:How to Study

Visual Learners:

Use graphs, charts & drawing while studying (e.g. History, Psychology, etc.).

Flash cards are helpful while studying, useful in self-testing (e.g. definitions, Science courses, Economics, etc.).

Pre-test are also helpful for visual learners.

Study Tips for Specific Learning Styles

Auditory Learners:

Use audio cues to learn information (e.g. creating rhymes or songs).

Use audio recordings of lectures/notes to retain information (e.g. Philosophy, Political Science, etc.)

Study Tips for Specific Learning Styles

Tactile Learners:

Use projects and experiments to learn information. (e.g. Biology – any Natural Science, Engineering)

Use of formula and hands-on learning. Create models & graphs to retain information

Study Tips for Specific Learning Styles

Everyone is different; what works for you, may not work for others. The following tips are suggestions for improving your current study skills.

REVIEW material after class when it’s still fresh in your memory.

DO NOT CRAM! Space out your studying. Review materials several times a week, focusing on one topic at a time.

When you begin, have all study materials in front of you: LECTURE NOTES, COURSE TEXTBOOKS STUDY GUIDES, ETC.

Study Skills Help & Study Tips

THE CURVE OF FORGETTI NG 100 The moment we first hear new information % 80 R 60 One day later without reinforcement E T 40 Two days later without reinforcement A I 20 N E 0 D 0 1 2 7

Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve

Find a comfortable and quiet place to study Start out with most important information HIGHLIGHT definitions Take notes and write down a summary of important

ideas as you read through material TAKE SHORT BREAKS PERIODICALLY DON’T just read through and try to memorize

material, make sure you understand the material well.

If you choose to study in a group, only study with others who are SERIOUS!

Study Skills Help & Study Tips

MAKE A PRACTICE QUIZ: test yourself or have someone test you to note your weak and strong areas.

Use material from homework questions, sample problems, etc.

USE THE REVIEW QUESTIONS AT THE END OF CHAPTER: this is helpful with courses such as Psychology, History and Economics.

Go to review sessions, pay attention to hints that the instructor may give about the test.

DON’T study any later than the time you usually go to sleep.

Study Skills Help & Study Tips

When you take a test you demonstrate your ability to understand course material or perform certain educational tasks.

Tests are used to measure performance. ◦ Objective tests are true-false, multiple choice, fill-

in-the-blank.◦ Subjective tests are short answer, essay or oral

exams.

Test Taking

Strategies to avoid carelessness:

◦ PREPARE: good preparation helps you focus on the task at hand. Arrive early for test Be comfortable, Be Alert Stay relaxed and confident Don’t try to pull an all night-er. Get at least 3 hours of sleep

before the test.

◦ DURING TEST: Read the directions carefully If there is time, look through test for overview Answer questions in a strategic order: easy questions first

◦ REVIEW: Resist the urge to leave as soon as you complete all items. Review to ensure you answered all questions, did not mis-mark,

did not make simple mistakes.

Test Taking Strategies/Tips:Successful test taking avoids carelessness.

1. ATTEND CLASS! (get required information to prepare for test)

a) Make sure you go to the class right before the test; the instructor may give out more hints or the format of the test

2. Get a good amount of sleep3. Keep a good attitude. Think Positively!4. Make a plan5. Manage your time 6. Don’t get frustrated or worried7. Read questions carefully:

Note cue words: compare & contrast, list, define, describe

8. Neatness Counts!

Test Taking Tips

9. Bring a watch to the test so you can pace yourself.

10. Bring appropriate test tools11. Ask the instructor for clarification if you

don’t understand what they are asking for on the test.

12. Don’t worry if others finish before you. Focus on the test in front of you.

13. REVIEW.

Test Taking Tips

Read questions before you look at answers. Come up with the answer in your head before looking at possible answers.

Read all choices before choosing your answer.

Eliminate answers you know aren’t right.

Don’t keep changing your answer, usually your first choice is right, unless you misread the question.

Test Taking Tips – Multiple Choice

Read the directions carefully and don’t forget to answer all parts of the question.

Make estimates for your answers

Show all your work; write legibly

Even if you know the final answer is wrong, don’t erase your entire work because you may get partial credit for using the correct procedure.

Test Taking Tips – Math Test

Spend an equal or greater amount of time preparing as you would for a normal test.

Familiarize yourself with the book and relevant materials.

If allowed, write down all the important formulas and key information on a separate sheet so you don’t have to search through your book for it.

Highlight important points, use post-it notes, bookmarks, etc.

Bring all the resources allowed.

Use quotations from the book to support your view, but don’t over quote.

Test Taking Tips – Open Book Test

Read the directions carefully.

Make sure you understand what the question is asking.

Budget your time.

Make an outline before writing your essay.

Focus on one main idea per paragraph.

If you aren’t sure about an exact date or number, use approximations i.e. “Approximately 5000” or “ In the late 17th century”

Test Taking Tips – Essay Test

Test Anxiety

◦ is a feeling of agitation and distress.

◦ can occur while thinking about an test or during a test.

◦ results in difficult concentrating, mental blocks and distractibility.

Test Anxiety – most students experience anxiety during a test, but when it affects test performance it has become a problem.

Past experience: blanking on tests, or being unable to retrieve answers to questions

Lack of preparation for test: Time management Poor study habits Cramming the night before

Apprehension of not living up to other’s expectations

Allowing grades to determine self-worth Fear of no control over what happens

Causes of Test Anxiety:

1. Be well prepared for test2. Self-testing from your review3. Think positively4. Thought Stopping5. Get a good night’s sleep6. Arrive in plenty of time; dress comfortable7. Don’t talk to friends8. Calm yourself during test by taking deep

breaths, stretching, and positive internal self-talk

9. Focus only on the exam: read carefully any instructions

10. Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Test Anxiety Strategies:

If test anxiety is a serious problem, because of other reasons, have the student seek professional help from private counseling services or MTSU.

MTSU Counseling ServicesKUC 329615-898-2670

Test Anxiety