Study Skills & Test Taking

Study Skills & Test Taking Gia C. Jones University College Advising Center Middle Tennessee State University

Study Skills: How to Study • 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 Tips for Specific Learning Styles • 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 Skills Help & Study Tips • 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.

Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve

Study Skills Help & Study Tips • 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.

Test Taking • 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/Tips:Successful test taking avoids carelessness. • 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 Tips • ATTEND CLASS! (get required information to prepare for test) • Make sure you go to the class right before the test; the instructor may give out more hints or the format of the test • Get a good amount of sleep • Keep a good attitude. Think Positively! • Make a plan • Manage your time • Don’t get frustrated or worried • Read questions carefully: Note cue words: compare & contrast, list, define, describe • Neatness Counts!

Test Taking Tips • Bring a watch to the test so you can pace yourself. • Bring appropriate test tools • Ask the instructor for clarification if you don’t understand what they are asking for on the test. • Don’t worry if others finish before you. Focus on the test in front of you. • REVIEW.

Test Taking Tips – Multiple Choice • 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 – Math Test • 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 – Open Book 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 – Essay 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 Anxiety – most students experience anxiety during a test, but when it affects test performance it has become a problem. • 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.

Causes of Test Anxiety: • 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

Test Anxiety Strategies: • Be well prepared for test • Self-testing from your review • Think positively • Thought Stopping • Get a good night’s sleep • Arrive in plenty of time; dress comfortable • Don’t talk to friends • Calm yourself during test by taking deep breaths, stretching, and positive internal self-talk • Focus only on the exam: read carefully any instructions • Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Test Anxiety • 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 Services KUC 329 615-898-2670

Study Skills & Test Taking