Chapter 6Copyright 2002 Houghton Mifflin Company - All Rights Reserved 1 Navigating Your Future: Principles for Student Success Chapter Six Test Taking Skills Navigating Your Future: Principles for Student Success By James G. Beierlein & Barbara K. Wade Chapter Six Test Taking Skills

Chapter 6Copyright 2002 Houghton Mifflin Company - All Rights Reserved 2 Developing a Realistic, Positive Attitude Toward Tests Be realistic about the importance of any test Allow for changes in your goals Doing well on a test requires a positive attitude and thorough preparation Be realistic about the importance of any test Allow for changes in your goals Doing well on a test requires a positive attitude and thorough preparation

Chapter 6Copyright 2002 Houghton Mifflin Company - All Rights Reserved 3 Preparing for Tests: What To Do Before The Test Write down all test dates as soon as you get them Review each day’s class material each day Do a weekly review of each class Write down all test dates as soon as you get them Review each day’s class material each day Do a weekly review of each class

Chapter 6Copyright 2002 Houghton Mifflin Company - All Rights Reserved 4 Preparing for Tests: What To Do The Week Before the Test Make a list of any material you think could be on the test - formulas, definitions, questions, and so on Ask the professor Look at old exams Make up your own exam Make a list of any material you think could be on the test - formulas, definitions, questions, and so on Ask the professor Look at old exams Make up your own exam

Chapter 6Copyright 2002 Houghton Mifflin Company - All Rights Reserved 5 Preparing for Tests: What to Do The Day Before the Test Assemble the right materials for the test - extra pencils, pens, fresh batteries for calculators Verify time and place of test Do 1- 3 hour review session Assemble the right materials for the test - extra pencils, pens, fresh batteries for calculators Verify time and place of test Do 1- 3 hour review session

Chapter 6Copyright 2002 Houghton Mifflin Company - All Rights Reserved 6 Preparing for Tests: What To Do At the Test Arrive early Write down formulas, etc. in the margins as soon as you get your test Write your name on the test Read everything BEFORE doing anything Allocate time according to points Develop a test answering plan Arrive early Write down formulas, etc. in the margins as soon as you get your test Write your name on the test Read everything BEFORE doing anything Allocate time according to points Develop a test answering plan

Chapter 6Copyright 2002 Houghton Mifflin Company - All Rights Reserved 7 How to Answer Problem Questions on Tests Read carefully before doing anything Write out full formulas Show your work Circle answers Put units on answers (pounds, dollars, etc.) Is your answer reasonable given the problem Read carefully before doing anything Write out full formulas Show your work Circle answers Put units on answers (pounds, dollars, etc.) Is your answer reasonable given the problem

Chapter 6Copyright 2002 Houghton Mifflin Company - All Rights Reserved 8 How to Answer Short Answer Questions Create questions to test knowledge of formulas, dates, definitions and other simple facts Flash cards are a great way to practice for these Answer the questions you know right now Come back to the ones you do not know Create questions to test knowledge of formulas, dates, definitions and other simple facts Flash cards are a great way to practice for these Answer the questions you know right now Come back to the ones you do not know

Chapter 6Copyright 2002 Houghton Mifflin Company - All Rights Reserved 9 How to Answer Essay Questions Read carefully to fully understand questions before writing Develop an outline of the answer Put hypothesis and theme in first few sentences by reversing question to make a statement Underline key words and phrases Write on one side of the paper Leave room at end of essay to add more later Read carefully to fully understand questions before writing Develop an outline of the answer Put hypothesis and theme in first few sentences by reversing question to make a statement Underline key words and phrases Write on one side of the paper Leave room at end of essay to add more later

Chapter 6Copyright 2002 Houghton Mifflin Company - All Rights Reserved 10 How to Answer Open Book Tests Have book tabbed with important pages Develop an information summary sheet that gives you page numbers in book Condense each chapter to a one page summary with page references Have book tabbed with important pages Develop an information summary sheet that gives you page numbers in book Condense each chapter to a one page summary with page references