Test Taking Strategies

General Tips for Taking Tests Be positive! Breathe in, breathe out…relax. Arrive early Have a pencil and any other material you need for the test Write your name Read the instructions Listen to last minute instructions from the teacher Look over the test before you begin. See what types of questions, how many and pace yourself Do not spend too much time on difficult problems. Come back to them if you have extra time at the end Always read the entire question slowly and carefully, do not assume you know what it is going to be asked Don’t worry if others finish before you When you finish, look over the test and make sure it is complete Write neatly

Matching Test Strategies These tests usually require you to match words in one column with phrases or definition in another column Read all directions. You may have to write the answer by the number. You usually do not draw lines to match them. See if there are the same number of choices in second column as there are in the first. If there are more in the second column you will not be using all the choices. If there are the same number of choices start with reading the sentence then scan the words to find the match. It is easier to scan the short column then read each phrase every time. If there are more choices in one column than another, start with the column that has fewer choices.. That way you won’t spend time trying to find an answer that has no match. Do the ones you know first; this eliminates some of the answers and makes it easier to guess if you need to later When you make a match, cross it out so you won’t try to use it again. Write your answers clearly and neatly.

Matching Test Please complete the matching test. Use your notes to help you.

True-False Test Strategies Read ALL directions If a statement has any of the following words it is usually going to be false (only, all, none, always, never, every) There are exceptions These words usually indicate true statements; some, usually, seldom, probably, mainly, often, sometimes, rarely, except Look carefully at the sequence of the statement. The facts may be correct, but they may be out of order For a statement to be true the entire statement must be true, not just a part If you don’t know the answer mark true, there are generally more true than false statements.

True-False Test Using your notes, please complete the True- False test.

Fill-In-The-Blank Test Strategies Read the first statement. See if you know the answer w/o looking at the choices. If you then look and your answer is there, you were correct Answer the questions you know first, then go back and do the rest Sometimes there may be more words to choose from then there are statements, in this case you won’t be using all the words Write the answer clearly so it can be read Cross out the words as you use them

Fill-In-The-Blank Test Using you notes please complete the fill-in- the-blank test.

Multiple Choice Test Strategies First try to answer the question w/o looking at the choices Eliminate the ones that you know are wrong Choose the answer that makes the most sense to you Usually your first choice is the correct one Guess if you are unsure, it is better to guess than leave it blank

Multiple Choice Test Using you notes please complete the multiple choice test.

Essay Read directions carefully Pay attention to whether you are suppose to answer all essay questions or just some of them Make sure you know what the question is asking, if you don’t know ask the teacher Use your time wisely Write neat and in complete sentences Make sure you answer all parts of the questions

Essay Test Question Example Who was Christopher Columbus, where did he come from and what did he discover at the end of his voyage? There are actually 3 questions in this one essay question. Make sure all are answered.