Test Taking Strategies

Much of the normal fear that people have when taking a test is fear of the unknown. You can fight these fears with a few ideas on how to be test-wise:

1. Find out as much about the exam as possible beforehand. Is it essay or objective or a combination of the two? How many questions? How much does it count toward the final grade?
2. If it is an essay exam, study overall concepts of the main themes. Make an outline of topics you may be questioned about on the exam. This will help you predict what the professor will ask. Practice writing essays, including as much supporting detail as you can.
3. If it is an objective exam, study more specific things: detail, names, places, dates, any information that has some significance.
4. Recite the material in class notes and textbook notes ALOUD, using the key words in the Cornell System (see Note-taking Skills).
5. As soon as you receive the test, skim over it immediately to familiarize yourself with the kinds of questions and weight of each question, then quickly estimate the time you can spend on each question.
6. If it is an essay test, read through the questions to eliminate certain ones, if you have that option. Choose the question you know the most about to get started. Before you write, organize your thoughts by making a brief outline on scratch paper. Be sure to compose an essay that answers the question directly. Be aware of key words such as compare, define, illustrate, demonstrate, show, etc. Write as quickly as possible.
7. If you are taking an objective test, start by answering the questions you are sure of and leave the others blank. Then go through again, eliminating the answers you are sure are wrong, and making an educated guess about the remaining choices. Look for clues to the answers in other questions on the test. Unless you have been warned that the teacher counts off more for a wrong answer than he counts for a right one, never leave any blank. After you have answered each question, go through the test one more time to make sure you did not carelessly make “B” when you meant “C” or leave and answers blank.
8. Check that you put your name on the exam before turning it in.

What Should I do to Prepare for an Objective Test?
1. Find out what kind of questions will be asked (true-false, multiple choice, etc.)
2. How many questions will be on the test?

1. Ask the instructor.
2. Get copies of tests previously given by the instructor.
3. Ask students who have been in the course before.

3. Predict which information from the notes is more likely to be asked for.

1. Ask the instructor.
2. Decide how much time was spent on each topic. If you spent two weeks on Chapter 1 and two days on Chapter, you can be quite sure that there will be more questions on Chapter 1 than Chapter 2.
3. Check old tests.
4. Ask students about the type of test given by this instructor.

What Should I Do When Taking an Objective Test?

1. Before you begin to answer questions, find out what the scoring policy is. You should know if there is a penalty for guessing.
2. Quickly check the number of questions asked on the test and the number of minutes you have to answer each question.
3. Reread the directions to make sure that you are doing the appropriate task.
4. Go through the test the first time to answer all questions you are sure of.
5. For difficult questions, write your first choice of an answer in the margin so it is not forgotten. You can reconsider the question later and if you can’t come up with a sure answer follow your first choice. First guesses tend to be correct.
6. If there is not a guessing penalty, fill in all answers. You have nothing to lose and the answers you give are usually based on at least partial information.
7. Be careful of choices which say always and never. These choices tend to be incorrect.

Ruth Cohen and others, Quest: Academic Skills Program (New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1973), p. 151.

How to Take Essay Tests
Keep in mind as you prepare for essay questions that your essay answer must demonstrate two things: first, that you understand the question with precision; and second, that you know the necessary facts and supporting materials. Your only way to demonstrate and convince your instructor that you “know your stuff” is through an organized answer.
The following suggestions will help you "get organized."

1. Read the directions first. You may have a choice of essays to write. After you have chosen your essay, jot down some ideas the question immediately brings to mind - some facts or figures you might easily forget that you'd like to use in your answer.
2. Analyze the essay question carefully before you write. Read and re-read the topic to make sure you know what the instructor means for you to answer. Circle KEY words such as discuss, analyze, compare, etc.
3. The question should be answered directly and forcefully in the first sentence of the essay. This will be the central idea of your essay. Develop the essay from this single sentence. The key to the technique of a direct answer is in a partial repeat of the question itself.
   Example: Question - What do you feel was the most important event during the Truman administration. Answer - I believe that the most important event during the Truman administration was....
4. After you have decided on the central idea, make a list of the points you will cover in the answer, with the most important points first and least important last.
5. Write a paragraph for each point, beginning each paragraph with a clear sentence which “overviews” the point you will cover. Follow the first sentence with support sentences, including that you know what you are talking about.
6. Do not summarize the essay in the last paragraph. You may wish to write a single concluding sentence or simply stop writing when you have completed your last point.
7. Proofread what you have written, especially looking for misspelled or missing words.
8. Write something for every essay question you are asked to answer, even if you do not know the material. It is rare that the instructor will ask you a question about which you know absolutely nothing. You will probably receive partial credit if you write something about the fragments of thought you do know.