Day 3 – Test Taking Strategies Exam Boot Camp Day 3 – Test Taking Strategies

Introduction Day 1 - Organization & Time Management Day 2 - Effective Study Skills Day 3 - Test Taking Strategies Day 4 - Managing Anxiety and Stress

Before the Test Ensure that you eat before the test, but avoid heavy foods that make you groggy. Don’t try and pull all nighters (try to get at least 5 – 8 hours of sleep the night before) Show up on time but don’t arrive to early Try and avoid discussing with others what you have studied (this can lead to panic) Go to the bathroom before the test

Bring a watch to pace yourself and plan your questioning. Arriving for the test Bring extra supplies at least two pens/pencils with good erasers) calculator with good batters ruler highlighters or coloured pens(at least 3 – 4 colours) Bring a watch to pace yourself and plan your questioning.

Beginning the Test Be sure to put your whole name on your test right away. (Often students leave this and forget about it) Scan the whole test immediately – sense of pace, stuff you know, build confidence. Brain dump – write down any formulas, dates, keys terms before you begin (you may add to this list from Objective questions)

During the Test: Strategies - What works best for you?? Strategy Pros Cons Multiple Choice First Can get clue from the multiple choice for the questions Can become long and tired of the test before reaching the long answer Can be easy to lose track of time. Written Questions First Getting the longer sections out of the way first Miss out on clues given in the multiple choice. Tendency to spend too long on questions (forgetting there is another section remaining Some multiple choice and some questions Keeps your mind fresh Can be difficult transitioning back and forth between the two.

During the Test Do the easiest questions first (don’t stay on a problem too long) Do the problems that have the greatest point values first Don’t rush, but pace Write legibly (teacher will normally give more marks for what can be read) Record the questions you don’t know, aren’t sure of, or want to add to so you can easily come back to them.

Tips for specific types of questions: Different types of questions involve different strategies!! Multiple Choice True and False Fill in the Blanks Short Answer Essay Questions

SELECTED Response: MOST COMMON MISTAKES Assuming there must be a pattern Spending too much time on the objectives and running out of time for the composed response. Transferring answers incorrectly from scrap paper Circling the wrong multiple choice answer. Leaving an answer blank. MARK THE ONES YOU SKIPPED TO EASILY GO BACK LATER AND FILL IN/GUESS Answering a question twice – a large majority of students actually circle two answers. REVIEW YOUR ANSWERS!!! MATH**** Treating questions as automatic answer questions as opposed to mini questions which need to be worked out on paper (like the written response)

Multiple Choice Read instruction carefully Decide on answer first before looking at list of choices, then carefully read each choice Be sure to read all choices before coming up with an answer (they can be very closely related) Eliminate the ones you know don’t belong. If don’t know mark it and skip it (sometimes answer may be another part of the exam) ALWAYS come back and guess even if you don’t know (if there is no guessing penalty) First guess is usually the right response Don’t consider a pattern or the number of a, b, c, d in a row. (This is not a consideration in making up a test)

True/False Questions Answer questions you know first Watch for keywords and qualifiers. Read carefully - often one word will make an answer true or false ALWAYS NEVER EVERY If any part of the statement is false it’s usually false If part of the statement is true, the entire statement is not necessarily true. 11

Written Response: MOST COMMON MISTAKES Not spending enough time on questions, not giving enough information Not answering the entire question Ignoring the Clock Understanding of common keywords (compare, contrast, define, list, explain, etc.) Not following directions Leaving an answer blank Thinking too much – USE YOUR POINT VALUES TO GUIDE YOU Not putting your name on the test

Short Answer & Fill in the Blank There is usually one best answer… understand the question – underline the key word(s) Start with key part of the answer, then support Answer should fit in the space provided (brief is always better) If lost look at other parts of the exam for help

Essay Questions Before Beginning: Read instructions – do 2 of 3, etc. Decide on the ones you will answer. Budget your time (look at point value) Read each question and then start with the easiest Start by brain storming – jot notes, time lines, charts, number ideas Create a quick plan for the essay/paragraphs. Writing essays, you are in control of what material you cover Build Foundation: become fluent with the big picture Gather, construct possible questions Create an outline for yourself Know how much time you have to write the essay Give examples 14

Essay Questions Writing: Follow your outline (Don’t continue adding as you go along, this leads to rambling) You should have a short introduction and conclusion but don’t make them too long. (An essay question on a test will not be in the same detail as an essay you have prepared at home) Focus on one main idea per paragraph. Use clear concise sentences, stick to the point and don’t be long winded. Be sure to give support. If you aren’t sure about exact dates/numbers, use approximations (“approximately 5000, In the late 17th century) If you make a mistake, draw a line through it. (Erasing looks messier and takes longer) Writing essays, you are in control of what material you cover Build Foundation: become fluent with the big picture Gather, construct possible questions Create an outline for yourself Know how much time you have to write the essay Give examples 15

Written Questions: Common Mistakes Often written questions have several questions in one. The most common mistake made by students in writing answers is to respond to one or a few questions, but not all. This happens for different reasons: Forget about the other questions Get rapped up in responding to one part. Work one the first part and don’t get time to respond to the other sections.

Solution: Highlighting Method Read the question carefully first and highlight the many different sections/smaller questions before even beginning, a different colour. Number the different questions so you know how many sections/parts you need to have to your answer. Write your answer responding specifically to each section. Use your highlighter again in your answer to be sure you have each section covered.

Highlighting Method: What is Exam Boot Camp? Tell me what you do in this program, what you have learned so far, what you like and what you don’t like about exam bootcamp.

KEYWORDS TO KNOW!!!! List In point or numbered form, with no explanation Define Provide a definition. Explain Provide an answer that gives a complete overview or clear description of the problem and solution for a particular question. Analyze Take apart a concept or a process, and explain it step by step.

KEYWORDS TO KNOW!!! Contrast Show differences. Compare Show likenesses and differences. Diagram Explain and draw a chart or other visual to illustrate your points. Outline Provide an explanation with headings and subheadings

KEYWORDS TO KNOW!!! - MATH Solve Find x -2x + 3 = -3x + 8 x=11 Factor - Show pieces that when multiplied give you that shown 16xy2 - 8x2 y 8xy(2y-x) Calculate Find the answer 6+5 x 2 4 Solve Find x -2x + 3 = -3x + 8 x=11 Simplify Combine like pieces together 4x2 – 5xy -6y2 – 8xy – 4y2 -5x2 -x2 – 13xy – 10y2

QUIZ YOURSELF – Practice!!! Explain the 4 seasons of the year. List the seven days of the week. Contrast a boy and girl. Compare and contrast the physical features of a dog and a cat.

Writing Under Time Constraints Ch.11 Writing Under Time Constraints Outline Get to the point Leave off introductions Put your answer at the beginning Avoid wordy rambling writing If almost no time left use point form (Check with teacher would this be okay if short on time)

After the Test Don’t spend time discussing answers to questions with others (this can lead to panic and stress) Take some time to relax before beginning studying for the next one. (Try and get a bit of fresh air)

RESOURCE Old Exams to Practice: CRT’s (Grade 9) Public Exams http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/evaluation/index.html