1. Taking the Test Listen to all directions Survey test Look over entire test Read carefully Underline key words Read all choices Easy questions first Review Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 1

2. Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 2 Top Ten Study Preventions Don’t have the materials you need to study so you can make several phone calls to talk about studying rather than actually studying. Spend several hours explaining to friends or family how boring the teacher/ material is and why this prevents you from studying. Plan to study all the time and schedule no recreation time which will allow you to be an academic martyr but put in very little focused, productive study time. Only study in you room with the door open to be sure you don’t miss anyone walking by wanting to talk. Never send anyone away that interrupts your study because you don’t want to hurt their feelings. Develop a smug superior attitude that can be used to impress others with the fact that you don’t need to study. Find a place to study that also has great entertainment value because “Why be bored when you study?” Never study material you don’t enjoy since you’ll obviously never use it anyway. Always remember that people will think you’re smarter if you flunk a test because you didn’t study rather than flunking it when you did study. Focus on how boring the course is and if the instructor were decent you would ace the class.

3. Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 3 10 Steps to Prepare for Tests Know when your next test occurs What will be on the test and what is most important to know? Find out what will be the format of the test (kinds of questions) Make a study checklist Study in groups

4. Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 4 10 Steps Continued... Prepare a schedule/calendar for study periods Study in a quiet environment Match your studying to the type of test you are taking Schedule breaks to keep your energy level high Know your teacher’s biases

5. Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 5 Taking Objective Tests Read all instructions carefully. Budget your time so that you have time to cover each question. Generally, first answer the questions you can complete easily. If you get stuck or start to get anxious on a particular problem, move on to the next question

6. Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 6 Taking Objective Tests Don’t jump too quickly at apparent answers that seem easy. Avoid negative statements to yourself during a test. If you do not understand a question, get help quickly from the teacher and move on to the next question Read the questions carefully.

7. Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 7 Ron Fry, “Ace” Any Test If two answers sound alike, chose neither In math choose a number in the middle If two amounts are close then chose one of them If two numbers differ by a decimal point chose one of them If two math answers look alike choose one of them

8. Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 8 Multiple Choice Pay attention to qualifying words. Do not read too much into questions Read every answer. The longest most complicated answers are often correct Look for clues Work backward Chose the best alternative

9. Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 9 Matching Ask if you can use alternatives more than once Do not match if you are not sure Try to think of the answer before reading the choices Choose the best answer and mark the answer Narrow down the field Avoid changing answers

10. Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 10 Fill-in-the-Blank Look for clues Use common sense. Chose the best word. Pay attention to the length of line given or to the number of lines. Read through after you answer

11. Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 11 Short Answer Pay attention to grammar Answer within the context of the course Use terms the instructor used. Answer by giving an example Beef up your answer if you have time

12. Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 12 True/False Pay attention to qualifying words The answer is false if any part is false Do not look for patterns Guess if you don’t know Stick with your first answer

13. Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 13 Problem Solving Use a diagram to visualize the problem Reread to highlight the information Estimate your answer Word backwards Watch for careless errors

14. Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 14 Essay Exams Read all the questions carefully Plan the amount of time for each question Answer all the questions Answer the easiest questions first Write neatly Leave space between essays Pay attention to key words

15. Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 15 Key Words COMPARE CONTRAST CRITICIZE DEFINE DESCRIBE DIAGRAM DISCUSS ENUMERATE List similarities Stress differences Express your judgment Give concise clear meaning Recount or relate in sequence Give a drawing Analyze carefully Write in list or outline form

16. Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 16 Key Words EVALUATE EXPLAIN ILLUSTRATE INTERPRET LIST OUTLINE Give both pros and cons Clarify and interpret your answer Use a figure, picture or drawing Give examples, solve, comment Write in list or outline Organize under main points

17. Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 17 Writing the Essay Write down all the facts, ideas or points Number your points Be appealing and draw the reader in Put in the examples and illustrations Use transitions Chose precise words Use active rather than passive language

18. Lesson 16 Test Taking Skills 18 Writing the Essay Omit needless words. Vary your sentence patterns Have a very strong closing