Georgia Northwestern Technical College COLL 1000 College Success and Survival Skills 3/13/2014 Test Taking Tips Mike “Wheels” Breakey, MA

Georgia Northwestern Technical College Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one. Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one. Its not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it. Its not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it. ~ Hans Selye ~ Hans Selye

Georgia Northwestern Technical College Testing—it is more than just the test. Testing—it is more than just the test. What goes into doing well on an exam? What goes into doing well on an exam? What did you use to prep for the midterm? What did you use to prep for the midterm?

Georgia Northwestern Technical College Time Time Scan it—how many questions Scan it—how many questions How many essay questions? How many essay questions? Skip questions you are unsure of? Skip questions you are unsure of? Predicting questions Predicting questions Jot down acronyms as soon as you get the paper? Jot down acronyms as soon as you get the paper? Look for answers later in the test Look for answers later in the test Preparation Preparation Slides Slides Bolded words Bolded words Key concepts/summary/charts Key concepts/summary/charts NO BLANKS NO BLANKS RTfQ and ATFQ RTfQ and ATFQ

Georgia Northwestern Technical College True/False True/False Negative wording—non, not Negative wording—non, not Double negative Double negative You will not be unprepared = ? You will not be unprepared = ? Look for ALWAYS and NEVER ( typically false) Look for ALWAYS and NEVER ( typically false) Look for general qualifiers—usually, many, generally. (typically true) Look for general qualifiers—usually, many, generally. (typically true) If one part is false = false If one part is false = false Assume true? Assume true?

Georgia Northwestern Technical College Multiple Choice Multiple Choice Best answer Best answer Get rid of obvious BS answers Get rid of obvious BS answers Jokes, funny, Jokes, funny, Each answer is a mini T/F Each answer is a mini T/F Longest answer? Longest answer? Educated guess of best 2 Educated guess of best 2

Georgia Northwestern Technical College Matching Matching Match those you know first Match those you know first What is the first column –person, place, thing. Make sure to match with something that makes sense What is the first column –person, place, thing. Make sure to match with something that makes sense Jimmy Carter would probably not match a place unless________? Jimmy Carter would probably not match a place unless________?

Georgia Northwestern Technical College Look at them in a positive way—partial credit Look at them in a positive way—partial credit Even if you do not know exact info, general ideas can gain points Even if you do not know exact info, general ideas can gain points Look for key words—describe, compare, contrast, summarize, etc. Look for key words—describe, compare, contrast, summarize, etc. Quick outline Quick outline Describe what adult education means to you? Describe what adult education means to you?

Georgia Northwestern Technical College Mistakes Mistakes Bad math Bad math Learn the correct answer Learn the correct answer Might see it again Might see it again Question style Question style Ask for clarification Ask for clarification Predict final exam questions Predict final exam questions

Georgia Northwestern Technical College In reference to GACA—this is a 4 step process that is used to describe the ________ process/cycle In reference to GACA—this is a 4 step process that is used to describe the ________ process/cycle Class registration Class registration Learning Learning Decision Making Decision Making Accreditation Accreditation T/F In the decision making process, you have determined the problem and gathered information—next you should look at several options, weigh the evidence, then choose the best among those options in order to take action. T/F In the decision making process, you have determined the problem and gathered information—next you should look at several options, weigh the evidence, then choose the best among those options in order to take action.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College Which of the following is NOT a way to take ownership of your education? Which of the following is NOT a way to take ownership of your education? Ask questions Ask questions Look up words you do not understand Look up words you do not understand Prioritize tasks Prioritize tasks All of the above help take ownership All of the above help take ownership T/F Failure to achieve short term goals has no effect on long term goals or plans. T/F Failure to achieve short term goals has no effect on long term goals or plans.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College Which of the following is an example of intrinsic motivation? Which of the following is an example of intrinsic motivation? A pay raise A pay raise Promotion Promotion Pride in a job well done Pride in a job well done Threat of being fired Threat of being fired

Georgia Northwestern Technical College Select a topic you would like to learn more about. Select a topic you would like to learn more about. Narrow this topic to something you think could be covered in a 1000 word paper. Narrow this topic to something you think could be covered in a 1000 word paper. What is the title of this potential paper? What is the title of this potential paper? What is the main idea (the thesis) that you want to address (remember, 1000 words is only about three pages of double spaced writing). What is the main idea (the thesis) that you want to address (remember, 1000 words is only about three pages of double spaced writing). List three main points that would support your thesis. List three main points that would support your thesis. Now, list three sub-points that would support your first main point. Now, list three sub-points that would support your first main point. Where would you look to develop the ideas on this paper?

Georgia Northwestern Technical College Quiz on Chapters 8 and 9 (no 7) Quiz on Chapters 8 and 9 (no 7) Ethics Discussion Ethics Discussion No specific reading but maybe look at _______? No specific reading but maybe look at _______? Ethical Dilemma Worksheet Ethical Dilemma Worksheet