COLL 1000 College Success and Survival Skills 3/13/2014 Test Taking Tips

1. COLL 1000College Success and Survival Skills3/13/2014Test Taking Tips Mike “Wheels” Breakey, MA

2. Quotes of the Day • Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one. • Its not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it. • ~ Hans Selye

3. Concepts of the Day • Testing—it is more than just the test. • What goes into doing well on an exam? • What did you use to prep for the midterm?

4. General Ideas • Time • Scan it—how many questions • How many essay questions? • Skip questions you are unsure of? • Predicting questions • Jot down acronyms as soon as you get the paper? • Look for answers later in the test • Preparation • Slides • Bolded words • Key concepts/summary/charts • NO BLANKS • RTfQ and ATFQ

5. Specifics • True/False • Negative wording—non, not • Double negative • You will not be unprepared = ? • Look for ALWAYS and NEVER ( typically false) • Look for general qualifiers—usually, many, generally. (typically true) • If one part is false = false • Assume true?

6. Specifics • Multiple Choice • Best answer • Get rid of obvious BS answers • Jokes, funny, • Each answer is a mini T/F • Longest answer? • Educated guess of best 2

7. Specifics • Matching • Match those you know first • What is the first column –person, place, thing. Make sure to match with something that makes sense • Jimmy Carter would probably not match a place unless________?

8. Essay • Look at them in a positive way—partial credit • Even if you do not know exact info, general ideas can gain points • Look for key words—describe, compare, contrast, summarize, etc. • Quick outline • Describe what adult education means to you?

9. Did you look over the midterm? • Mistakes • Bad math • Learn the correct answer • Might see it again • Question style • Ask for clarification • Predict final exam questions

10. In reference to GACA—this is a 4 step process that is used to describe the ________ process/cycle • Class registration • Learning • Decision Making • Accreditation • T/F In the decision making process, you have determined the problem and gathered information—next you should look at several options, weigh the evidence, then choose the best among those options in order to take action.

11. Which of the following is NOT a way to take ownership of your education? • Ask questions • Look up words you do not understand • Prioritize tasks • All of the above help take ownership • T/F Failure to achieve short term goals has no effect on long term goals or plans.

12. Which of the following is an example of intrinsic motivation? • A pay raise • Promotion • Pride in a job well done • Threat of being fired

13. Topic Outline —This is for the presentations at the end of the course • Select a topic you would like to learn more about. • Narrow this topic to something you think could be covered in a 1000 word paper. • What is the title of this potential paper? • What is the main idea (the thesis) that you want to address (remember, 1000 words is only about three pages of double spaced writing). • List three main points that would support your thesis. • Now, list three sub-points that would support your first main point. • Where would you look to develop the ideas on this paper?

14. Next Tuesday • Quiz on Chapters 8 and 9 (no 7) • Ethics Discussion • No specific reading but maybe look at _______? • Ethical Dilemma Worksheet