By: Elizabeth Sherrell-Smith, Academic Researcher, MM

 How can preparation improve test performance?  How can you work through test anxiety?  What general strategies can help you succeed on test?  How can you “MASTER” different types of test questions?  How can you learn from test mistakes?

 Not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts. Author: Albert Einstein

Afternoon- Classes:  First Break: 2:20pm – 2:30pm  Second Break: 3:30pm – 3:40pm Evening – Classes:  First Break: 7:00pm – 7:10pm  Dinner: 7:50pm – 8:10pm  Second Break: 9:15pm – 9:25pm

 EBSCO is an online research tool/online library.  The URL to use for accessing EBSCO host is  You will then be prompted for your user id and password.  User ID is: "heald" followed by your campus ("healdroseville", etc.)  Password is: "student"  (For more information about EBSCO contact your campus LRC manager)

Keys to Success, Sixth Edition Created By: Carol Carter, Joyce Bishop, and Sarah Lyman Kravits, Pearson Publications

Successfully intelligent people… seek to perform in ways that not only are competent but distinguish them from ordinary performers. They realize that the gap between competence and excellence may be small but the greatest rewards, both internal and external, are for excellence.” Robert Sternberg

 Real Questions, Practical Answers How can I combat test anxiety? How can I combat test anxiety?

How Can Preparation Improve Test Performance?  Identify Test Type and Material Covered  Create a Study Schedule and Checklist  Prepare Through Careful Review  Take a Pretest  Prepare Physically  Make the Most of Last-Minute Cramming

Prepare  Attend class, listen actively, and participate.  Take good notes and review them regularly.  Keep up with reading and other assignments.

 See tests as opportunities to learn  Understand that tests measure performance, not personal value  Believe that instructors are on your side  Seek study partners who challenge you  Get tutored

 Practice relaxation  Shut out negative vibrations  Practice positive self-talk  Remind yourself of your goals

 Choose the Right Seat  Write Down Key Facts  Begin with an Overview  Read Test Directions  Mark Up the Questions

 Take Special Care on Machine-Scored Tests  Work from Easy to Hard  Watch the Clock  Take a Strategic Approach to Questions You Cannot Answer  Master the Art of Intelligent Guessing  Maintain Academic Integrity

 Multiple-Choice Questions  True-or-False Questions  Matching Questions  Fill-in-the-Blank Questions  Essay Questions

Let’s take a test together!

 Start by reading the questions  Map out your time  Focus on action verbs: Analyze, Compare, Contrast, Criticize, Define, Describe, Discuss, List, Evaluate, Explain, Illustrate, Interpret, Outline, Prove, Review, State, Summarize, Trace

 Ask yourself questions that may help you identify correctable problems  Rework the questions you got wrong  After reviewing your mistakes, fill in your knowledge gaps  Talk to your instructor  Rethink the ways you studied  If you fail a test, don’t throw it away

 Analytical thinking: study, take notes, read and review, decide what points are most important  Creative thinking: create your own pretest; ask good questions in class about the test!  Practical thinking: manage time for preparation and during the test; read the situation (what does the instructor want in this essay question) preparation and during the test; read the situation (what does the instructor want in this essay question)

“The Five P’s of Success: PRIOR PREPARATION PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE.” James A. Baker, III Former Secretary of State and White House Chief of Staff

 Complete Week 6 Assignments  Complete handouts: ◦ Verbs that help you plan you answers to essay questions. ◦ Multiple Intelligence Strategies for Test Preparation ◦ Personal Portfolio Activity #7 ◦ Vocabulary Quiz ◦ Chapter 7 Assessment ◦ Discuss: PowerPoint Presentations

 Reference: ◦ Carter, C, Bishop, J., & Kravits, S. L. (2009), Test Taking: Showing What You Know. Pearson Education, Inc.