TEST TAKING PREPARATION

1. TEST TAKINGPREPARATION BEGINS THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS Presentation provided by UTPB West Texas Literacy Center, an HSI funded program. HSI is a federally funded program granted by the Department of Education Title V programs. Developed by Ana Miller, M.A., Reading Specialist

2. Test Anxiety: How Do We Develop Feelings of Panic? • Past experiences • Inadequate preparation

3. Why prepare? • Less anxiety • No time constraints • Access to books notes, and tutors • Answers are in your book, handouts, notes, other resources • Preparedness = Improved performance

4. Test Preparedness • Analyze the professor’s test technique • Complete projects and papers well before scheduled exams • Create study guides and flash cards as you take notes • Adjust your study method. For objective tests, focus on specific details. For essay exams, focus on broad concepts and relationships.

5. Types of Tests • Open book • Computation • Essay • Short answer • Fill in the blank • True-false (objective) • Multiple choice (objective)

6. Open Book Tests • Prepare • Become extremely familiar with the book, handouts, study guides • If you are allowed, make a reference sheet to save time • Focus on main ideas and where you can find them in the book or other approved materials • Highlight important points, use post-it-notes, add notes IF ALLOWED

7. Open Book Tests Continued • Take all resources the professor has approved • Answer the questions you know, then go to your resources • Use your book and other resources as a back up and for verification

8. Computation Tests • Understand why, when, and how to use specific formulas • Create a formula study sheet and use it as a review • When you receive the test, write down the formulas you can remember in the margin of the test • READ ALL DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY • Show ALL work (partial credit) • Check over the test

9. Essay Exams • Read the directions carefully • Read and analyze the questions critically • Be sure that you understand the question. • Do a “Memory Dump” –Quickly write out memorized dates, names or points, so you can relax, think, and write • Create a quick outline or other organizational format • Begin with a thesis sentence and refer to your major points • Focus on one main point per paragraph • Use the technical vocabulary and define the terms • Proofread • Watch the time • BE NEAT

10. Understand the Question • COMPARE = Examine qualities of what is being compared, stress similarities • CONTRAST = Examine qualities of what is being contrasted, stress differences • CRITIQUE = Evaluate merits and faults • DEFINE = Brief, clear meaning • DESCRIBE = Objectively tell about something, do not evaluate it • DIAGRAM = Create an appropriate, labeled chart, plan, or drawing • DISCUSS = Make a detailed analysis (study), including description and/or comparison, contrast, or evaluation

11. Understand the Question • ENUMERATE = List and briefly discuss the required points • EVALUATE = State your opinion, supported by examples; give advantages and disadvantages • EXPLAIN = Clarify and interpret, stating “how” and “why,” including expert opinion if appropriate • ILLUSTRATE = Literally draw a graph or create a clear example • INTERPRET = Translate, give examples, solve, or discuss; include your judgment or feelings • JUSTIFY = Give evidence to support your conclusions

12. Understand the Question • LIST= List and briefly discuss required points • OUTLINE = Give an organized description, focusing on major points and supporting details • PROVE = Confirm or verify; use logical reasoning to make your points, or state evidence and evaluate it • REVIEW = Critically and systematically examine, analyzing each major point • STATE = Briefly express main points • SUMMARIZE = Write a condensed discussion of main points or facts • TRACE = Describe a series of events in chronological or other appropriate order

13. Objective Tests • Answer the easiest questions first • Read all of each question and the choices carefully before selecting an answer • When you must guess, eliminate first • For true/false questions, assume that a statement is true until you prove otherwise • Always write something on fill-in-the-blank questions • Think about the question

14. Objective Tests Continued • Should you guess? YES, but consider this: • Use of absolute words (all, none, always never) Often untrue • Use of moderate qualifiers (often, frequently, many…) more likely to be true • Look for clues within the question itself • Longer, more detailed answers tend to be correct. • If two answers are total opposites, one is likely to be correct • If two answers are very similar, it is likely that both are incorrect

15. Fill-In-The-Blank Tests • Remember basic rules: • Unless directions say otherwise, one word per blank • The length of the blank is not necessarily a clue to the length of the word • The completed sentence should make sense and be grammatically correct • Blanks separated by commas, indicate a series of items • Several blank lines without commas indicate a phrase with a specific number of words. • The word “an” before a blank indicates that the needed word begins with a vowel sound.

16. Fill-In-The-Blank Tests • Answer the questions you know, bypass the difficult ones • Return to the difficult questions; using delayed response • Those questions remaining, apply assisted response, skim through the items that will trigger an association to the needed word • Finally, WRITE SOMETHING • If time permits, review

17. REVIEW • Review- Look for skipped items, answers marked in the wrong space, or illegible answers SHOULD YOU CHANGE ANSWERS? • Know your own history • Do you tend to find wrong answers and correct them? Then continue to do so. • Do you tend to second guess yourself and change right answers to wrong ones? Then be cautious. • Change only if you realize that you misread or misunderstood the question on the first attempt or if you recall a relevant fact that warrants changing an answer

18. Oral Tests • Confirm time and place • Take visual aids and props • Dress appropriately • Be early • Turn off cell phone • Maintain eye contact • Maintain correct posture • Speak clearly and with proper formal grammar and diction • Speak in complete sentences • Thank the instructor

19. Test Taking Tips Worth Repeating!!! • PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE-START EARLY!!! • Arrive early and prepared • Read ALL the directions carefully • Preview the exam before you begin • Plan your time • Read all of the question and choices completely and carefully • Answer the easiest questions first • Answer every question, even if you have to guess (unless there is a guessing penalty-ask the professor) • Review if time permits

20. Post Test • Relax and celebrate • Carefully analyze the errors when the test is graded and returned • Ask the professor for clarification if you do not understand why you lost points

21. Disappointed by Your Grade? • Seek the professor’s advice with the attitude that you want to improve next time. • Remember test taking is a skill that requires TIME AND EFFORT to develop. • You may want to seek assistance: • Literacy Center- Ana Miller MB 4180 • Math & Science Center- Jill Miller MB 4180 • Writing Center- Kellye Manning MB 2100 • Mentor program- Stephanie Hernandez MB 4109 • SI (Supplemental Instruction) Dr. Castro Pass Office

22. References Feldman, Shattles, & McKenzie. (2004).Oracle EDU 1110. Unpublished manuscript, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX