Jeopardy Test-ReadinessBrain BlockersTest StrategiesTest Pitfalls Anxiety Reducers Q $100 Q $200 Q $300 Q $400 Q $500 Q $100 Q $200 Q $300 Q $400 Q $500 Final Jeopardy

$100 Question from Test-Readiness Identify the best daily strategy for absorbing information from each class period for future tests

$100 Answer from Test-Readiness Reviewing notes after each class and using them to create study guides

$200 Question from Test-Readiness How can you get a sense of what’s going to be on the test?

$200 Answer from Test-Readiness Ask your professor what the test is going to cover (any specific parts of the text book) and what types of questions you’ll be asked. Go back over notes to look for what was emphasized in class If you’ve had tests before, see where the prof pulled the questions from

$300 Question from Test-Readiness What’s the best way to prepare for a vocabulary test?

$300 Answer from Test-Readiness Write out definitions Use Flashcards or Quizlet Mnemonic memory-triggers

$400 Question from Test-Readiness What’s the best way to prepare for essay tests?

$400 Answer from Test-Readiness Synthesize information (using graphic organizers like Venn diagrams) Come up with examples of concepts Practice writing out answers

$500 Question from Test-Readiness What should you do the morning of the test?

$500 Answer from Test-Readiness -Eat Breakfast! You think better on a full stomach. -Get to the test early to eliminate any stress of arriving late -If it works for you, do a ten-minute power study to “warm up” your brain.

$100 Question from Brain Blockers How does not getting enough sleep impact your test-taking?

$100 Answer from Brain Blockers It restricts the oxygen flow to your brain, impacting your ability to retrieve information

$200 Question from Brain Blockers How does test-taking when you’re hungry impact your brain?

$200 Answer from Brain Blockers It will negatively impact your cognitive functioning. Your brain thinks “I need to conserve brain energy, since I only have reserve fuel” and will limit what information you can access and generate

$300 Question from Brain Blockers How does test-taking when you’re incredibly stressed impact your brain?

$300 Answer from Brain Blockers It tightens your blood vessels, thereby restricting the flow of oxygen to your brain (impacting your ability to retrieve information)

$400 Question from Brain Blockers Sometimes the array of options on multiple choice tests impedes you from clearly recalling the correct answer. How can you prevent this?

$400 Answer from Brain Blockers Cover up the options so that you only see the question. Think of the answer first, then reveal the options to see which one best matches it.

$500 Question from Brain Blockers What type of food is the worst “brain food” (and what is the best?)

$500 Answer from Brain Blockers The Best? Proteins (Dairy, Meat, Nuts) The worst: Sugar and High Fat (especially fried foods)

$100 Question from Test Strategies What is the first thing you should do when you get your test (after writing your name)?

$100 Answer from Test Strategies Jot down any information that has been consuming your mind. Then look over the whole test.

$200 Question from Test Strategies What’s the better strategy: delving right in to answer questions or looking at the whole test first?

$200 Answer from Test Strategies Skim the whole test, do some quick time budgeting, and develop a plan of where to start

$300 Question from Test Strategies List several ways to improve your odds at getting the right multiple choice answer?

$300 Answer from Test Strategies Cover the answers and read the question. Think of the correct answer before looking for it. Cross out any obviously wrong answers Eliminate answers with extremes (like all, every, always, never, etc.)

$400 Question from Test Strategies If you are having difficulties with a question, what should you do?

$400 Answer from Test Strategies Skip it! But be sure to circle it so you’ll come back to it. (And ALWAYS guess if you won’t be penalized for it.)

$500 Question from Test Strategies What should you do when you’ve finished your test? (And what should you NOT do?)

$500 Answer from Test Strategies Go back and review everything: the instructions, the questions and your answers—especially for Essay Questions. For Multiple Choice—Check that you read the question correctly and all possible answers. Unless you see new information you didn’t have when you made your first choice, DON’T CHANGE YOUR ANSWERS.

$100 Question from Test Pitfalls If a true/false question contains “sometimes, usually, or generally” would it be more likely to be true or false?

$100 Answer from Test Pitfalls True!

$200 Question from Test Pitfalls What are two reasons why it’s a good idea to go over past tests?

$200 Answer from Test Pitfalls 1.You can see where the professor tends to pull questions from. 2.You can see the types of mistakes you made and focus on how to correct them

$300 Question from Test Pitfalls What could go wrong if you don’t read test directions carefully? (And how can you ensure that you follow all the steps?)

$300 Answer from Test Pitfalls You could misinterpret what the professor is looking for (like “circle all the answers that…” or “choose 1 of the 3 topics…”) Underline the critical steps in the test directions, and if there are several, number them

$400 Question from Test Pitfalls Sometimes students start writing the answer to an essay question and then realize they should have included something sooner. What can you do to address this?

$400 Answer from Test Pitfalls Make an outline or mind- map before you start writing Skip a space in blue books

$500 Question from Test Pitfalls What should I do if I freeze?

$500 Answer from Test Pitfalls Consciously relax. Start writing what you CAN think of…your brain will begin to make associations

$100 Question from Anxiety Reducers Which questions should you answer first?

$100 Answer from Anxiety Reducers Start with the easiest questions. Build your confidence by working your way up to the hard ones (Just be sure to budget enough time for them!)

$200 Question from Anxiety Reducers Before you even go to take the test, what can you do with all the worries in your mind to keep them from clouding your focus?

$200 Answer from Anxiety Reducers Write them down.

$300 Question from Anxiety Reducers What should you do if you don’t understand the directions to a question?

$300 Answer from Anxiety Reducers Ask your professor! He or she is there to help you. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification of what is being asked.

$400 Question from Anxiety Reducers How can you use past tests to reduce your anxiety about future tests?

$400 Answer from Anxiety Reducers See where the professor pulled information from to extrapolate his/her test-making tendencies Analyze the types of mistakes you made to reduce the likelihood of repeating them

$500 Question from Anxiety Reducers What should you do if you feel your stress level increasing?

$500 Answer from Anxiety Reducers Take a minute to consciously relax. Use stress reduction techniques like deep breathing, muscle relaxation, stretching, or visualizing yourself smiling as you remember all you’ve studied. Use positive affirmations like “I’m smart, I’ve studied, and I can do this.”

Final Jeopardy What is the best way to reduce test taking anxiety, avoid common pitfalls, increase your confidence, and maximize the likelihood of your doing well on a test?

Final Jeopardy Answer Be prepared! (And start early!) Assign time to review notes within 24 hours of class Create flashcard sets, mnemonics, and study guides Test yourself each weekend and to see if you’re able to recall what you learned that week; and then each day the week before a big test