Test Taking Strategies

1. Test Taking Strategies By Sarah Kate DuRant

2. Tips For Better Test Taking • Prepare -find creative ways to study - arrive early for tests - be comfortable but alert - stay relaxed and confident - analyze past tests

3. Tips For Better Test Taking • Test Taking - read directions carefully - look over test before you start - answer questions in a strategic order

4. True/False Tests • Every part of the sentence must be true • Pay close attention to negatives, qualifiers, and long sentences

5. True/False Tests • Negatives - If the question contains negatives, such as "no, not, cannot" drop the negative and read what remains. - Decide whether that sentence is true or false. - If it is true, its opposite, or negative, is usually false.

6. True/False Tests • Qualifiers - words that restrict or open up general statements. Examples are "sometimes, often, frequently, ordinarily, generally" - These words make more modest claims, are more likely to reflect reality, and usually indicate "true" answers.

7. True/False Tests • Long Sentences - Pay attention to the "truth" of each phrase in the sentence. - If one part of the sentence is false, it usually indicates a "false" answer

8. Multiple Choice Tests • Get an overview of test by skimming quickly • Answer the easiest questions first • Answer the harder questions last • On a “standardized” test (such as the SAT) make sure to answer all questions no matter if you know the answer or not. On those kinds of tests you get a fraction of a point for each question answered.

9. Multiple Choice Tests • Guessing -Eliminate obvious wrong answers first - Don't guess if you are penalized for guessing - Use hints from questions you know

10. Review • Always Review your test if you have enough time no matter what test you are taking

11. For More Tests • Go to my resource page at • www.geocities.com/sarahkate297