Test Taking Tips

Practice Makes Perfect

Presented byProf. Janice R. Close, M.A., RRT-NPS

Test Taking TipsTests are

Scary!

Acquired Skill!

Tips only work if the student has studied

Practice Taking TestsSample exam

questions Review books Review quizzes and

exams on-lineEngradeMyhealthprofessionskit

.com

Before The Test

Arrive EarlyDon’t be rushedGive yourself time

to, park, get to class, relax.

That Means You …

Come PreparedPens, Pencils

Scrap Paper

No personal belongings on desk

Name badge, Ipad, cell phones away

Write DownFormulas and

memorized numbers

As soon as you receive your scrap paper

Draw pictures or diagrams

Alleviate Test Anxiety

Stress Reduction

Don’t cramDon’t rush Deep breathing Relaxation exercises

Test Taking SkillsMay be timed Pace yourself

About One MinutePer questionCheck periodically

Follow Directions

Circle answer choice for multiple choice

Write in Letter corresponding to choice in CAPS (easier to read)

Make sure you CLICKed the answer

Don’t skipDon’t changeNo stray marksDouble check

that answer is clicked

Fill In Completely

Read Entire Question

One Best Answer

Stem: the "question”

Choices: responses/distracters

ABCD(E)

Process of Elimination

A. OSHAB. HIPAAC. NIOSHD. AMA

Find the Best Answer Distracters designed to be plausible or

even acceptableBut only one choice is bestEliminate obviously wrong choices Improve the oddsChoose from what’s left

Choices

BestAcceptableIncorrectHarmful

Key WordsPriority order

First, nextLeast, most

Watch negativesExcept, not

Most importantMajor, primary

Standard practiceUsually, often

Avoid ChoicesThat are obviously different These are usually not the

correct response L vs. ml, ml vs. Mg

Exam writers try not be too obvious

Be Wary of Absolutes Always, never, all,

none, in-,im-Usually not the

correct choice“All of the above”

correct choice only 60% of the time

Do Not Look for a Pattern! There is noneSelect response you best

understand If you have never heard of

a choice, chances are it is a distracter

Take questions at face value - do not read too much into the question

GuessPick BDon’t leave any

blank!You may not have

time to go back

When In Doubt...

Change Answers Sparingly! Only if you realize first

choice was ridiculous Avoid temptation to

change answers Go with your first

instinct, usually correct 8/9 of knowledge is

subconscious More people change

answers from right to wrong (75% of the time)

Closure

Avoid going back and changing answers

You may not have time!Finish the test!

If You Don’t Ask…Proctor cannot help

you with exam content

But may be able to clarify confusion

Don’t Get Emotionally Involved

Cant do anything about it during the test!

Keep calm and focused

Don’t give up!You may comment

on question quality afterwards