Test-Taking Tips & Strategies

Multiple Choice Questions Make sure you understand the question Make sure you understand the question Eliminate answers you know are incorrect Eliminate answers you know are incorrect If two are exactly the same, it’s usually neither If two are exactly the same, it’s usually neither Double check answers, but don’t over think them Double check answers, but don’t over think them Don’t get stuck, keep going and return to tougher questions Don’t get stuck, keep going and return to tougher questions Overly obvious choices are probably wrong Overly obvious choices are probably wrong Try to answer the question before reading the answer options Try to answer the question before reading the answer options Recall all choices before answering Recall all choices before answering

True or False Questions Watch out for single words to change the meaning Watch out for single words to change the meaning If statement is true, all parts of the statement must be true If statement is true, all parts of the statement must be true

Questions from a Text Read questions before reading the text, try to find answer, look at options, read all the text before answering Read questions before reading the text, try to find answer, look at options, read all the text before answering Underline important things as you read Underline important things as you read Try to answer questions before looking at the options Try to answer questions before looking at the options

Essay Questions Read the entire question and be very clear on what it’s asking Read the entire question and be very clear on what it’s asking Decide what kind of question is being asked Decide what kind of question is being asked Outline your answer Outline your answer Write to your audience Write to your audience What are the requirements (length, sources, format…etc) What are the requirements (length, sources, format…etc) Write it out Write it out Proof it twice - check spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and legibility Proof it twice - check spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and legibility

Essay Direction Signal Words AnalyzeCreateEffectInterpret ApplyCriticizeEnumerateJustify ArgueDefineEstimateList AssessDemonstrateEvaluateMention CategorizeDescribeExplainOrganize CauseDevelopFormulateOutline Cite evidenceDiagramGeneralParaphrase ClassifyDifferentiateGeneralizePoint out CompareDiscussGive anPredict ConstructDistinguish example ofPropose ContrastDrawIdentifyProve ConvinceConclusionsIllustrate Provide