Test-taking tips

A. Preparing for the test

1. Read the assigned pages in the textbook.

2. Review on-line notes.

3. Do suggested homework problems.

4. Do practice questions on-line.

5. Go to Help Room or SI sessions (if available).

6. Ask questions in class.

7. Study quizzes given in class.

8. Create flashcards for definitions, important concepts.

9. Study with others and trade off asking questions.

10. Maintain positive attitude.

11. Don’t psych yourself out and/or over emphasize the importance of one test (keep tests in perspective).

12. Get prepared early and get a good night’s sleep.

13. Come to class!

B. Taking the test

1. Read the instructions, scan the test quickly, and then read each question carefully.

2. Read all of the possible answers even if you think you have already found the correct answer because you are looking for the best answer.

3. Answer the questions you are most confident about first. Put T by the questions to note you are done with them.

4. Put ? by those questions you believe you can answer with a little thought and move on. Come back to these questions first.

5. Put X or ?? by those questions you believe are the hardest to answer and move on. Come back to these questions last.

6. Be honest with yourself. If you don’t know the answer to a question and probably won’t come up with the answer, no matter how much time you take, see if you can eliminate some possible answers and then record a guess and move on.

7. When you come back and answer a question you skipped over before, put T by that question to note you are now done with it.

8. Don’t be afraid to change your original answers if, upon review and reflection, they seem wrong.

9. Be aware of time constraints and check your progress say one-third and two-thirds of the way through your allotted time. For example, if you have to answer 45 questions in 60 minutes, when one-third of your time is up (i.e. 20 minutes) you should have answered at least one-third of the questions (i.e. 15). Don’t panic if you fall behind schedule.

10. For all questions, cross out obvious wrong answers.

11. Review questions and answers, especially those you were initially unsure about if time permits.

12. Take a few breaks to shut your eyes or take a deep breath which can help you stay fresh.

13. Don’t do a lot of skipping around. Answer questions in order but, as noted above, mark questions you are done with differently from questions you want to come back to later.