CRM Prep Workshop TEST TAKING TECHNIQUES Parts 1-5

Test Taking Techniques Parts 1 – 5 –100 multiple choice questions 5 answers to chose from for each question –70 correct answers needed to pass

Test Taking Techniques The Outline provided by the ICRM dictates the composition of the test. There is usually at least one question on the test about everything on the outline for that part of the test. The Outline is the best study guide for the test. It can be found on the ICRM website at ICRM.org

Test Taking Techniques Practice Practice Practice! This is especially important if it has been a while since you took tests regularly Practice may not make you perfect, but it will make you more comfortable and confident

Test Taking Techniques Pre-Test Preparation (May 2007 Only) –Know where the test is being given –Know how to get there and how long it will take you – Arrive at least 15 minutes early! –Read your testing instructions so that there will be no surprises –Know what you need to bring to the test Pencils (#2 or HB) A good eraser Watch or digital clock Water, Coffee or soft drinks (check with your proctor) A sweater or jacket

Test Taking Techniques Pre-Test Preparation (After May 2007) –Know where the test is being given –Know how to get there and how long it will take you – Arrive at least 15 minutes early! –Read your testing instructions so that there will be no surprises –Know what you need to bring to the test Water, Coffee or soft drinks (check with test site) A sweater or jacket

Test Taking Techniques Orientation at the testing site –Pick a seat and check: The lighting The chair The ventilation (no vent blowing on you) –If that seat does not work, pick another or move your chair to a different location –Know where the bathrooms and water fountains are

Test Taking Techniques Basic Test Principles –The questions are made up of the following: Stem – incomplete statement or question Alternatives – 5 choices Distracters – incorrect responses Keyed response – the answer the test- makers are looking for

Test Taking Techniques Basic ways to answer the question –Knowledge of the right answer –Computation –Limited association –Process of elimination –Test construction clues –Educated guess –Wild guess (no clue at all)

Test Taking Techniques There may be more than one correct answer, but there is always a best answer. The best answer will contain some of the following: –It will be the most encompassing and inclusive alternative –It is usually the most general and qualified choice available –It will deal with Records Management Principles, from a global viewpoint, applicable to all types of organizations. Don’t get hung up on how you may be doing things in your current job

Test Taking Techniques If you don’t know, GUESS! Never leave a question unanswered. Even a wild guess gives you a 20% chance of getting the correct answer. Narrow down the alternatives and then make your best guess.

Test Taking Techniques Time Management is all important –Each exam allows 1 hour and 20 minutes –That gives you 48 seconds for each question, but each question will not require the same amount of time –Remember, each question is worth only one point –Don’t rob yourself by spending too much time on ones you don’t know and not getting to ones you do.

Test Taking Techniques The Directions are there for a purpose Always read and follow the directions Ask questions if you are unsure of something Even the simplest mistake can cause you to fail – like forgetting to put your test number on the test Remember, the tests will be graded by machine.

Test Taking Techniques First things first (May 2007 only) –Read through and scan the entire test BEFORE you start answering the questions –This will give you an idea of the scope, complexity, difficulty and area of coverage. –Scanning the test will let you know what to expect and give you a better idea of how to pace yourself –Plan on at least three passes through the test and time yourself accordingly

Test Taking Techniques First things first (after May 2007) –Plan on at least three passes through the test and time yourself accordingly

Test Taking Techniques Pass One (May 2007 only) –Read every question and every alternative –Answer the easy questions Mark on your test booklet so you skip it the next time through –Mark out any obviously wrong alternatives narrowing the odds on questions you are not sure of –Watch your time, this pass should take no more than thirty-fourty minutes

Test Taking Techniques Pass One (after May 2007) –Read every question and every alternative –Answer the easy questions The computer will bring you back to unanswered questions after your first pass –Answer all questions you can this pass –Watch your time, this pass should take no more than thirty-fourty minutes

Test Taking Techniques Pass Two –Read unanswered questions carefully, but consider only the alternatives you did not eliminate the first time through –If you still don’t know the answer, eliminate more alternatives if you can and keep going –This pass should take no more than twenty minutes

Test Taking Techniques Pass Three –Answer any questions you have left, even if you have to guess. –Often another question will give you a good clue to the answer of a question you don’t know, so look for clues as you go through –Take no more than 10 minutes for this Pass

Test Taking Techniques Last but not least –Allow the final 10 minutes to check your work –Be sure all questions are answered and the answers recorded on your answer sheet –Check for any stray or incomplete marks, make sure any erasures are complete (May 2007 only) –Be sure your test number is right, complete and legible

Test Taking Techniques After the test (May 2007 only) –Using your study guide, mark the areas that were covered on the test, any questions you need to find answers to and any notes in case you have to take this part of the test again –Be sure and do this as soon as possible after you take the test, while your memory is still fresh

Test Taking Techniques After the test (after May 2007) –The computer will tell you if you passed or not –If you did not pass, the computer will give you feedback showing which questions you missed, and which parts of the outline those questions came from. –The feedback sheet is you best guide to studying for the next exam.

Test Taking Techniques Testing Hints –Key words and phrases in the correct answer often link back to the question –Be aware of absolutes that limit or are restrictive such as: Always/never Absolutely/only Must/all Constantly/none Sole/every Necessary/invariably –They usually result in an incorrect answer

Test Taking Techniques Testing Hints –Qualifiers on the other hand are in alternatives more likely to be true. They are adjectives that define or modify the statement they are in –Determiners are phrases that give the alternative a certain perspective, point of view or relationship

Test Taking Techniques Testing Hints –The longest answer is often the correct one since it will be the most encompassing and inclusive alternative –Check your answer as part of the question and eliminate ones that don’t fit with the sentence structure, a/an, etc. –Be especially careful of negatively worded questions which tend to be confusing and misleading

Test Taking Techniques Testing Hints –Alternatives B & D are statistically used more than A, C or E. Use this ONLY if you are making an uneducated guess –Look for synonyms in the answers that match the stem or question –“All of the above” turns the rest of the alternatives into true/false questions –“None of the above” similarly means all the answers are false

Test Taking Techniques TESTING HINTS –When options are in ascending or descending order the correct answer is rarely the lowest or highest option –When alternatives seem closely related or almost identical, pick the one that is the most encompassing and inclusive, if they are both the same, neither is correct

Test Taking Techniques There is no substitute for good preparation. Form a study group with other candidates in your chapter/area Be systematic in tackling each part in its entirety and don’t just skip around There are no shortcuts, but you can be successful if you really try