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?
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