Test-Taking Strategies and Bouncing Back from a Bad Grade

What are we going to talk about today?

• Preparing for an exam.

• Study tips and tricks.

• Test taking tips.

• How to approach different types of problems.

• What to do if you get a bad grade.

Before an exam

study, study, study!

Where to study?

• Library, coffee shop, home…

Wherever you can work comfortably and efficiently!

A few study tips

keyword cards

notes

practice, practice, practice!!!

A few study tips

• Together or alone?

• Plan ahead.

A few study tips• Together or alone?

• Plan ahead.

• Don’t forget to take breaks!

• Reward yourself!

• Think like your professor.

• The power nap is your friend.

• Come to Math and Writing Center.

The night before an exam

study sleep!!!!!!

In the morning

Dress well, test well!

In the classroom before the exam

Don’t stress about what you DON’T

know. Be confident in

what you DO know!

And arrive on time!

Exam time!

1. Flip through the exam.

• Are you missing a page?

• How long is it?

• Do any of the questions catch or eye? Do you know how to answer them?

Do they look difficult?

Become familiar with the test

Exam time!

2. Start working!

Don’t waste time on what you don’t know.

Ask questions.

Read all directions carefully!!!

Different question types

• Multiple choice

• Eliminate answers you’re confident are wrong.

• Think of your own answer before reading the options.

• Read the question carefully!

• Trust your instinct!

Which of the following is not a mammal?a) batb) horsec) whaled) shark

Example:

Different question types

• Short answer questions

• Be sure to answer all parts of the question.

• Show what you know and be specific.

• If you’re unsure, try to make an educated guess. You might get partial credit.

What was Martin Luther King, Jr. asking for in his “I Have a Dream” speech? What was the significance of where the speech was given, and what important event in American history does he reference in the first few lines of his speech?

Example:

Different question types

• Essay questions

• Organize your thoughts.

• Restate the question in your own words as part of your introduction.

• Use clear supporting details and examples to back up your main idea.

• Use good penmanship!

Example:

What led to the economic collapse in Armenia following independence in 1991? Include specific events and explain how each contributed to the collapse.

Different question types

• Math problems

• Write down important formulas and rules before you start.

• Show all of your work! You could get partial credit.

• Does your answer make sense?

• Answer all parts of the question and remember units!

Does your answer make sense?

€

x = 7 − y

2000 = 500 7 − y( ) + 200y

2000 = 3500 −500y +200y

1500 = −300y

y = −5

x =12

€

2000 = 500x +200y

7 = x + y

Lusine spent 2000 AMD on oranges and apples at the market. Oranges cost 500 AMD and apples cost 200 AMD. Lusine bought 7 pieces of fruit. How many oranges and apples did she buy?

Example:

Exam time!

Check it over!!!!!!!!

What happens if I get a bad grade?

It’s okay!

Treat every mistake as a learning experience.

Look it over

• Where did I lose points?

• What went wrong?

• Did I make the same mistake on multiple questions?

• Did I make a silly error, or did I just not understand the material?

• Did I not understand what the question was asking?

• Did the professor leave any comments that might help me understand my mistakes?

Accept and own your mistakes, and don’t forget to

learn from them!

Your mistakes might even help you on your next exam.

Follow up

Are you still feeling lost?

- Talk to your professor!

Points to take home1) Be prepared.

3) Be confident in what you know.

6) Learn from your mistakes.

4) Work carefully and efficiently.

5) Check it over!!!

2) Visit the Math and Writing Center!

Online Resources• Center for Student Success

Math and writing cheat sheets, other online resourceshttp://studentsuccess.aua.am/resources/

• Six Minutes to Success videos on various study skillshttp://www.baylor.edu/support_programs/index.php?id=92507

• Tips for history/writing examshttps://www.trentu.ca/history/workbook/exampreparation.php

• Tips for Calculus examshttps://www.math.ucdavis.edu/~kouba/CalculusTips.html

• General study skills/test prephttp://tlc.uoregon.edu/learningservices/studyskills/testtaking.html