Test Preparation PSY 1730

Key Concepts When do you start studying for a test? When do you start studying for a test? Why doesn’t the way you studied in High School work in College? Why doesn’t the way you studied in High School work in College? What role does memory play in test preparation? What role does memory play in test preparation? How does memory work? How does memory work? What are Advance Organizers? What are Advance Organizers?

When do you start studying for a test? The FIRST day of class! The FIRST day of class! You are responsible for material covered in (unless otherwise instructed): You are responsible for material covered in (unless otherwise instructed): Lectures Lectures Text Text Homework Homework Labs and Field Trips Labs and Field Trips Outside Readings Outside Readings

The Six-Hour D I studied six hours and still got a D!

Why doesn’t the way you studied in High School work in college? More material is covered in college classes, usually in a shorter length of time. More material is covered in college classes, usually in a shorter length of time. The content is more complex. The content is more complex. You will be expected to understand, synthesize, apply, analyze, and evaluate information – not just memorize it. You will be expected to understand, synthesize, apply, analyze, and evaluate information – not just memorize it. Over-learn material to avoid “brain-freeze” (takes time and repetition). Over-learn material to avoid “brain-freeze” (takes time and repetition).

Memory and Your Brain The brain: Has a natural learning process. Has an innate sense of logic. Is a pattern seeker. Is a problem solver. Is imaginative and creative (can see in new ways). Is motivated to learn. (Smilkstien, 2000)

Pattern Seeker

Imaginative and Creative

Bloom’s Taxonomy: Six Thinking Levels Knowledge (requires memorization or recognition only) Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation

Blooms Defined Knowledge-level = recognize or memorize Knowledge-level = recognize or memorize Comprehension-level = understand Comprehension-level = understand Application-level = apply to a new situation Application-level = apply to a new situation Analysis-level = break into parts Analysis-level = break into parts Synthesis-level = bring into a single unit Synthesis-level = bring into a single unit Evaluation-level = judge worth/value Evaluation-level = judge worth/value (uses Analysis and Synthesis)

Your Brain Needs You to Organize Information! Advance Planners Advance Planners Comparison Charts Comparison Charts Process Diagrams Process Diagrams Concept Maps Concept Maps Outlines Outlines Time Lines Time Lines WebCT Assignment Web Site for Test Preparation: WebCT Assignment Web Site for Test Preparation:

Comparison Charts

Process Diagram

Concept Maps

Branching Diagram

Informal Outline 1. Dynamic (also called psychoanalytic) 1. Dynamic (also called psychoanalytic)Characteristics Person continually in conflict; opposing forces Source of forces = psychic apparatus Psychic apparatus Psychic apparatus Id: instinctual drives possessed at birth such as hunger, thirst sex and aggression most important drives (per Freud) Id: instinctual drives possessed at birth such as hunger, thirst sex and aggression most important drives (per Freud) Ego: reconciles demands of id with "real" world moderates and guides basic instincts in line with society's norms provides capacity for delayed gratification Ego: reconciles demands of id with "real" world moderates and guides basic instincts in line with society's norms provides capacity for delayed gratification Superego: conscience ("internalized parent") shaped by social forces such as school, church, close acquaintances Superego: conscience ("internalized parent") shaped by social forces such as school, church, close acquaintances 2. Humanistic 2. Humanistic 3. Social learning 3. Social learning

Time Lines

Time Lines (continued)

Group Activity Five Groups Five Groups Each create an assigned advanced organizer Each create an assigned advanced organizer 1. Comparison Chart 2. Process Diagram 3. Concept Map 4. Outline 5. Time Line Draw on Transparency Draw on Transparency Share with Class Share with Class

Review You will do better on college exams if you: Study over several days Study over several days Study in small time chunks – 50 min., 10 min break Study in small time chunks – 50 min., 10 min break Study when you have peak energy Study when you have peak energy Use Advanced Organizers Use Advanced Organizers Remember your brain was “Born to Learn!” Remember your brain was “Born to Learn!”