SEVEN STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING TEST PERFORMANCE

Why does it matter? Test performance not only reflects how much one studied in the hours and days right before the test but also how well the person has been studying throughout the semester There are a variety of study strategies you can use. Some you will like, some you will not!   Over the next two blocks, try to identify one or two skills you would like to try to routinely incorporate into your study schedule. There are a variety of study strategies you can use from the first day of class to improve your test performance.   You may find that you are practicing some of these skills routinely while there may be others that you're not practicing as regularly.   As we discuss these strategies, I would encourage you to identify one or two skills you would like to try to routinely incorporate into your study schedule. Let's begin by assessing how well you are already doing with your study skills.

What do you think? On the average, how many hours per week is it recommended that you study for each hour you spend in class? A.  1 hour B.  2 hours C.  3 hours D.  4 hours

Some classes will require more of your time!!! There is no right answer to this question; however, it is generally recommended that you spend 2 - 3 hours outside of class for every hour you spend in class.  How many hours is it recommended for you to study per week for a 3 credit class? (hint: you spend about 2 ½ hours in each class every week). Obviously, some classes will be more difficult than others. Some classes will require more of your time!!! Answer: 5 to 7 1/2 hours outside of class studying each week.

What are study skills? Study activities include: reading the textbook doing homework assignments reviewing notes studying for tests and quizzes. Which activities work for you? Rank these skills from 1 to 4 (1 being the one you prefer the most).

Testing Success Factor Create a list of factors that help you perform well.

Seven Strategies for Improving Test Performance Taking good notes Reviewing notes after each class Using SQ3R Getting control of your time Beginning to prepare for specific tests a week in advance Incorporating self-testing into your study schedule Practicing good test taking strategies

Being Prepared Do your assignments on time Take good notes Why is taking good notes a success factor for tests? What should your notes include for effective studying? Know what material to study

Being Prepared cont. Know what kind of test will be given Types of Tests Objective Multiple choice, True-false, Matching & Fill in the blank Subjective Short answer & Essay Performance Hands-on & Project Optimize your health

Avoid Cramming Memorizing versus Cramming Cramming – refers to trying to memorize a lot of information in a very short period of time. Memorizing – trying to commit information to memory by rote or mechanical repetition

Avoid Cramming cont. Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Shortest short-term memory (5-8 seconds) Level 2 Cramming or memorization level Two key factors – time and repetition Level 3 Effective recall level Recall or remembered studied information Level 4 Background knowledge – information that is permanently stored

Learning Actively Create an effective learning environment Find a study buddy Have a study order Plan your study time & breaks Remember to use memory devices

Memory Devices Acronyms Mnemonic Sentences, Rhymes or Jingles Try Linking Ideas Try Visualization

Learning from your mistakes Review Returned Tests Figure out what worked and what didn’t Be honest with yourself Ask for help

What strategy do you use for taking notes in your classes? A.  Write everything the teacher says B.  Write notes in an outline form C.  Write notes in a modified outline form D.  Copy everything appearing on overheads

It's not possible to write everything the teacher says! We speak at the rate of 150 - 200 words per minute and can write only about 25 words per minute! While it may be useful to copy everything on overheads, those are probably only the main ideas and additional information will be needed as one studies for the test

Seven Strategies for Improving Test Performance Taking good notes Reviewing notes after each class Using SQ3R Getting control of your time Beginning to prepare for specific tests a week in advance Incorporating self-testing into your study schedule Practicing good test taking strategies

Why is it important to review your notes?

Seven Strategies for Improving Test Performance Taking good notes Reviewing notes after each class Using SQ3R Getting control of your time Beginning to prepare for specific tests a week in advance Incorporating self-testing into your study schedule Practicing good test taking strategies

SQ3R: A READING STUDY SYSTEM SURVEY Read the chapter title, introduction, learning objectives, summary and end of chapter questions. Also review bold face headings and subheadings, graphics, and italics throughout the chapter. This will provide an overview of the chapter and create a mental framework for understanding the chapter more thoroughly as you read. QUESTION Prior to reading each section, turn each heading into one or more questions. It will be helpful if you write your questions down so you can refer to them as you move through this process. This step helps one's mind engage and concentrate and creates and active learning environment. What questions do you think that you should be able to answer at the end of the chapter?

SQ3R: A READING STUDY SYSTEM As you read each section, look for answers to your questions. This fills in the information around the mental framework you have created in the previous steps. RECITE After you have finished reading a section and before moving on to the next section of the chapter, go back to your questions to see if you can answer them. If you can't, you may have missed the main ideas in that section and may want to read it again. If you can answer them, you're ready to move on to the next section, repeating the question, read and recite process for the new section of the chapter. REVIEW This is the final step in your reading session. Again, review your questions too see if you can answer them. This step helps to refine your mental organization and begin to build your memory and understanding of the material. Following this model as your read chapters is likely to reduce the amount of time you will need to spend studying the chapters the week before the test because you have already begun to learn the material as you move through this process.

Seven Strategies for Improving Test Performance Taking good notes Reviewing notes after each class Using SQ3R Getting control of your time Beginning to prepare for specific tests a week in advance Incorporating self-testing into your study schedule Practicing good test taking strategies

How can you get control of your time? Planning Scheduling Keeping an agenda What else do you do to take control of your time?

Seven Strategies for Improving Test Performance Taking good notes Reviewing notes after each class Using SQ3R Getting control of your time Beginning to prepare for specific tests a week in advance Incorporating self-testing into your study schedule Practicing good test taking strategies

When do you start studying for your tests? A. The first day of class or the first day after a test B. Two weeks before a test C. A week before a test D. Two days before a test E. The night before a test

Seven Strategies for Improving Test Performance Taking good notes Reviewing notes after each class Using SQ3R Getting control of your time Beginning to prepare for specific tests a week in advance Incorporating self-testing into your study schedule Practicing good test taking strategies

Seven Strategies for Improving Test Performance Taking good notes Reviewing notes after each class Using SQ3R Getting control of your time Beginning to prepare for specific tests a week in advance Incorporating self-testing into your study schedule Practicing good test taking strategies

Practicing good test taking strategies While you may not actually label what you are doing as studying for a test until a few days or a week before the test, everything you do from the first day of class or the first day after a test is helping you prepare for the next test. Ways to Study: class participation note taking reviewing notes completing homework assignments reading the textbook reviewing notes and assignments Can you help us think of any more?

Lets see what you remember! Can you name all 7 strategies for improving Test Performance?

Seven Strategies for Improving Test Performance Taking good notes Reviewing notes after each class Using SQ3R Getting control of your time Beginning to prepare for specific tests a week in advance Incorporating self-testing into your study schedule Practicing good test taking strategies