Getting Ready for the BIG Test

Before the Test… Setup a study schedule Setup a study schedule Base this on how much time you have before the actual test, whether it’s a couple of days, weeks, or months. Base this on how much time you have before the actual test, whether it’s a couple of days, weeks, or months. Once you have a schedule, make sure you stick to it! Once you have a schedule, make sure you stick to it! Last minute cramming is NOT GOOD! Last minute cramming is NOT GOOD!

Before the Test… 1. Find out what subject/material the test will cover. 2. Find out what type of test this will be (multiple-choice, essay, true/false). 3. Set goals for study times & information you want to go over. 4. Use the study strategies we’ve previous learned & decide which ones to use. We remember these right?! We remember these right?!

Before the Test… 5. Take practice exams 6. Read and re-read notes, chapter excerpts, and other relevant information. 7. Create study aids such as outlines and flashcards. 8. If you are still struggling with understanding the topic or material ask for help from a teacher before test day. 9. Get a good nights sleep the night before the test. You will not be very alert the next day if you stay up late. Plus, last minute cramming will just make you nervous.

Before the Test… 10. Eat a good breakfast or lunch before the test, but avoid overeating.

Study Strategies Review

Study Strategies Acronyms/Acrostics Study Tree/Web Flashcards Homework Review Practice Exams Acronyms/Acrostics Verbal Repetition Study Tree/Web Compare/Contrast Grid Flashcards Note Review Homework Review Study Groups Practice Exams Study Guides

Other Things to Think About… Where to study Where to study What to study first What to study first When to study When to study Who to study with Who to study with How to study How to study Distractions Distractions Other factors Other factors

Next Time… What To Do During the Test What To Do During the Test Strategies for Different Types of Tests Strategies for Different Types of Tests

What To Do During The Test: 1. Always read the instructions carefully Although you may have taken similar tests, never assume you know how each one is going to go. Although you may have taken similar tests, never assume you know how each one is going to go. If you are unsure about anything, ask the teacher before proceeding If you are unsure about anything, ask the teacher before proceeding

What To Do During The Test: 2. Skim over the test before starting. If point values have been assigned to each section, this will help you decide how much time you need to spend in each one and which sections to work on first. If point values have been assigned to each section, this will help you decide how much time you need to spend in each one and which sections to work on first. The ones with the highest point value deserve the most attention. The ones with the highest point value deserve the most attention.

What To Do During The Test: 3. Answer the easiest questions first. If you get stuck on a question, skip over it and come back later. If you get stuck on a question, skip over it and come back later. There’s a chance the answer will come to you later on in the test or the test itself will answer it for you. There’s a chance the answer will come to you later on in the test or the test itself will answer it for you.

What To Do During The Test: 4. If you only know part of an answer to a question, write down what you know. This will more than likely get you some credit. This will more than likely get you some credit.

What To Do During The Test: 5. Write answers neatly. If your teacher can’t read your answer, it may be marked incorrect. If your teacher can’t read your answer, it may be marked incorrect.

What To Do During The Test: 6. Try to leave enough time at the end of the test to go back over and check your answers. You may have made an error or careless mistake. You may have made an error or careless mistake.

What To Do During The Test: 7. TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE DURING THE TEST! This is a school rule and some teachers may assume that you are trying to cheat. This is a school rule and some teachers may assume that you are trying to cheat.

In Summary… 1. Read Instructions 2. Skim the Test 3. Answer Easiest Questions 1 st 4. Write What You Know 5. Write Neatly 6. Go Back Over Answers 7. Turn Off Cell Phone

Strategies for Different Types of Tests

Tips for Tests Matching Matching True-False True-False Fill in the Blank Fill in the Blank Essays Essays Multiple-Choice Multiple-Choice Standardized Tests (EOCs) Standardized Tests (EOCs)

Matching Tests Read ALL of the questions before answering/matching. Read ALL of the questions before answering/matching. Answer the questions you know the answers to 1 st and come back to the harder ones. Answer the questions you know the answers to 1 st and come back to the harder ones. Decide what is being asked for: location, person, date? Decide what is being asked for: location, person, date? Check off items as they are matched so you won’t use them again. Check off items as they are matched so you won’t use them again.

Matching Test Example Prioritizing Things that keep you from doing what you’re supposed to be doing. Procrastination Arranging the tasks you perform in order of importance. Distraction Waiting until the last minute to do something important.

True/False Tests Always read the entire question before answering. Always read the entire question before answering. Be careful of long, detailed sentences. Break them down and look at each part. Be careful of long, detailed sentences. Break them down and look at each part. If only part of the answer is “true” then the answer is “false” If only part of the answer is “true” then the answer is “false” Look for specific keywords. Look for specific keywords. True: usually, sometimes, generally, often True: usually, sometimes, generally, often False: always, every, never, all False: always, every, never, all If you don’t know the answer = guess. If you don’t know the answer = guess. You have a 50% chance of getting it right! You have a 50% chance of getting it right! There are usually more “True” answers than “False” There are usually more “True” answers than “False”

True/False Test Example - During the summer it is always hot. - During the summer it is always hot. - During the summer it is sometimes hot. - During the summer it is sometimes hot. - You’re driving at night and a car is coming towards you in the other lane with its high beams on. You’ve already tried to signal by using your headlights but have gotten no response. What you should do now is turn on your high beams to counteract glare to help you see the roadway. - You’re driving at night and a car is coming towards you in the other lane with its high beams on. You’ve already tried to signal by using your headlights but have gotten no response. What you should do now is turn on your high beams to counteract glare to help you see the roadway.

Next Time… Tips For: Fill in the Blank Tests Fill in the Blank Tests Essay Exams Essay Exams Multiple-Choice Tests Multiple-Choice Tests Standardized Tests (EOCs) Standardized Tests (EOCs)

Fill in the Blank Tests Most fill in the blank questions use keywords and phrases from your notes and reading material, so make sure you have studied beforehand. Most fill in the blank questions use keywords and phrases from your notes and reading material, so make sure you have studied beforehand. Questions with more than one blank should be treated as more than one question. Questions with more than one blank should be treated as more than one question. Answer the questions you know first and then go back to the harder ones. Answer the questions you know first and then go back to the harder ones.

Fill in the Blank Tests Mark keywords and phrases in difficult questions to help you focus on the missing blank. Mark keywords and phrases in difficult questions to help you focus on the missing blank. Rephrase difficult questions in own words to help find the missing part. Rephrase difficult questions in own words to help find the missing part. Make sure the answer is spelled correctly. Make sure the answer is spelled correctly.

Essay Exams Carefully read each question and underline keywords and phrases. Carefully read each question and underline keywords and phrases. Examples: compare, contrast, evaluate, summarize, explain, describe, define. Examples: compare, contrast, evaluate, summarize, explain, describe, define. Build your confidence by answering the easiest questions 1 st, then come back to the more difficult ones. Build your confidence by answering the easiest questions 1 st, then come back to the more difficult ones.

Essay Exams Organize your ideas by writing down your initial thoughts, then do an outline on the back page or scratch paper. Organize your ideas by writing down your initial thoughts, then do an outline on the back page or scratch paper. Include: main points, arguments, dates, and other important factors. Include: main points, arguments, dates, and other important factors. PROOFREAD your answers and check spelling, grammar, and punctuation. PROOFREAD your answers and check spelling, grammar, and punctuation. If necessary, add more details such as illustrations or examples. If necessary, add more details such as illustrations or examples.

Essay Exam Example Schools have recently thought about changing the school calendar to year-round rather than 10-months, while also changing the schedule to 4 days a week rather than 5 days. Pick a side and argue why you picked it. Be sure to back up your choice by persuading with several reasons. Pick a side and argue why you picked it. Be sure to back up your choice by persuading with several reasons.

Multiple-Choice Tests Study well in advance so that you are more familiar with keywords and phrases. Study well in advance so that you are more familiar with keywords and phrases. Read the question carefully before selecting an answer. Read the question carefully before selecting an answer. Reading it twice is highly recommended Reading it twice is highly recommended Multiple-Choice questions test your applied knowledge so make sure you answer all parts of the question. Multiple-Choice questions test your applied knowledge so make sure you answer all parts of the question. Answer the question in your head 1 st, then pick the answer on the test that matches it the most clearly. Answer the question in your head 1 st, then pick the answer on the test that matches it the most clearly.

Multiple-Choice Tests If you are unsure about a question, eliminate the answers you know are NOT right before taking a guess. If you are unsure about a question, eliminate the answers you know are NOT right before taking a guess. NEVER leave a question unanswered because you still have a chance to get it right. NEVER leave a question unanswered because you still have a chance to get it right.

Multiple-Choice Example 1. Visual Learners do not like: A. Visual Aids B. Taking Notes C. Reading D. Lectures 1. Visual Learners do not like: A. Visual Aids B. Taking Notes C. Reading D. Lectures

Standardized Tests (EOCs) Before taking the test, use a study guide if one is available. Before taking the test, use a study guide if one is available. If not, make one yourself. If not, make one yourself. Give yourself practice exams. Give yourself practice exams. Answer the easiest questions 1 st and then go back to the more difficult ones. Answer the easiest questions 1 st and then go back to the more difficult ones. If you’re unsure, take a guess. If you’re unsure, take a guess. Look over the tips in this unit for other types of tests. Look over the tips in this unit for other types of tests. Standardized tests will have a variety of formats, so it will help knowing the different strategies. Standardized tests will have a variety of formats, so it will help knowing the different strategies.

Keeping Calm for the Test

How to Calm Yourself Before… Anxiety can actually interfere with your performance on exam day. Anxiety can actually interfere with your performance on exam day. This worry or fear can make it hard to concentrate or create mental blocks. This worry or fear can make it hard to concentrate or create mental blocks. It can even cause physical symptoms like nausea, upset stomach, or accelerated heart rate. It can even cause physical symptoms like nausea, upset stomach, or accelerated heart rate.

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Test Anxiety…

Step 1 Prepare in advance by studying all relevant material. Prepare in advance by studying all relevant material. Cramming at the last minute will increase your anxiety level. Cramming at the last minute will increase your anxiety level.

Step 2 Think positive! Think positive! By following these steps you are doing everything necessary to be successful. By following these steps you are doing everything necessary to be successful.

Step 3 Practice deep breathing exercises to reduce tension and clear your mind. Practice deep breathing exercises to reduce tension and clear your mind.

Step 4 Take a personal timeout every day to do something fun and relaxing. Take a personal timeout every day to do something fun and relaxing. Don’t overdo the studying routine or you will tire yourself out. Don’t overdo the studying routine or you will tire yourself out.

Step 5 Get plenty of rest and exercise. Get plenty of rest and exercise. Avoid caffeine late in the day and at night as it can interfere with sleep. Avoid caffeine late in the day and at night as it can interfere with sleep.

Step 6 Don’t view tests as a threat. Don’t view tests as a threat. Instead look at them as an opportunity to show off what you know. Instead look at them as an opportunity to show off what you know.

After the Test

After the Test… Take a deep breath & congratulate yourself on a job WELL DONE! Take a deep breath & congratulate yourself on a job WELL DONE! Once you receive the test back, go over incorrect answers and figure out why you missed them. Once you receive the test back, go over incorrect answers and figure out why you missed them. Use old tests to use as study guides for future tests. Use old tests to use as study guides for future tests.

After the Test… REWARD YOURSELF!!!