Test-Taking StrategiesFor Student Success

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Contents of Slideshow

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Test-Taking Preparation Combating Test Anxiety Strategies for Various Test Formats

True/False Multiple Choice Fill in the Blank Essay

Online Testing General Test-Taking Strategies

Test-Taking Preparation Be Rested. Study regularly to avoid cramming. Be sure to be on time or early on the day

of a test. Wear layered clothing for comfort with

temperature of the room. Eat a light and healthy breakfast. Avoid caffeine or processed sugar

overload.

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Combating Test Anxiety

Take Slow Deep Breaths Don’t Think About the Fear

Pause, think about the next step and keep on task, step by step.

Use Positive Reinforcement Acknowledge what you’ve done so far. Remind yourself you’re doing your best.

Expect Some Anxiety Use the Anxiety

Can bring energy Keep it manageable.

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Strategies for Various Test Formats

True-False Tests: Mark a statement true unless you

know it is false because True-False tests generally contain more True’s than False’s.

Assume a statement is False if any part of it is False.

Assume a statement is False if it contains words such as every, all, and always.

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Strategies for Various Test Formats Multiple Choice Tests:

On MC tests there are usually four options: 1) a really crazy/silly answer 2)an answer that sounds right but is not even close 3) an answer similar to the correct answer and 4) the correct answer. Try to weed out first two to increase chances of answering correctly.

Options such as “all of the above” can be tricky. Read answers CAREFULLY.

Choice b or c or most often the answer.TNCC

Strategies for Various Test Formats

Fill in the Blank Tests: Decide what kind of answer the

statement needs. Is it a date, person or place?

Look for key words in the statements such as where, when, how, and why etc.

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Strategies for Various Test Formats Essay Tests

State your main point in the first sentence.

Use your first paragraph to provide an overview of essay.

Use the rest of essay to discuss these points in detail.

Back up your points with specific information, examples or quotations from the reading.

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Online Test-Taking Often timed, so budget time wisely Backtracking is most often

prohibited Use reliable computer. Remain focused. Contact instructor immediately if

anything goes wrong.

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General Test-Taking Strategies

Read over test and skim all answers. Answer easier questions first and

return to the difficult questions later. Budget test-taking time.

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