TEST TAKING

TIPS FOR OVERCOMING TEST ANXIETY Be Prepared Practice positive self-talk Use visualization Practice relaxation

SUBJECTIVE TESTS Essay Short Answer

OBJECTIVE TESTS TRUE/FALSE MULTIPLE CHOICE MATCHING FILL-IN-THE-BLANK

STRATEGIES AND TIPS FOR TEST TAKING SURVEY ENTIRE TEST BEFORE YOU START CHECK ALL ANSWERS BEFORE TURNING IN TEST READ DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY WRITE NAME ON EACH PAGE START WITH EASY QUESTIONS FIRST ON DIFFICULT QUESTIONS MAKE NOTE OF YOUR GUESS

TRUE/FALSE TESTS Most basic form of true/false tests your knowledge of facts example: True or False A pronoun is a word used in place of one or more nouns.

TRUE/FALSE TESTS More complex True/False test ask you to demonstrate your understanding of specific applications of what you’re learning Application type questions test you on how to use what you have learned.

TRUE/FALSE TESTS Analyze True/False questions that use modifiers, negatives, or strings of items

USE OF MODIFIERS Modifiers are words that describe the basic statement They provide clues to whether a statement is true or false There are two types of modifiers Absolute and Qualifying

ABSOLUTE MODIFIERS Examples of absolute Modifiers are: no, none, never, every, nobody, each, only, all always, at no time, entirely, and everybody. Tend to appear in false statements example: True or False All dogs chase cats.

QUALIFYING MODIFIERS Examples of a Qualifying Modifier are: usually, not usually, most, some, infrequently, frequently, generally, ordinarily, seldom, perhaps, occasionally, often, sometimes, many They tend to show up in true statements Example: True or False Many dogs chase cats

USE OF NEGATIVES Examples of negative and negative prefixes: not, cannot, dis-, il-, un-, non-, im-, ir-, As you read true/false questions, circle or underline the negative or negative prefix Example Question: Converting problems stated in words to equations, is not an important function of algebra. True or False

Some statements may be more complex and contain more than one negative Some statements may be more complex and contain more than one negative. Examples: 1. It is not illogical to engage in mild exercise to fight a cold. 2. It is not uncommon for dehumidified air to aggravate dermatitis during winter months.

STRINGS OF ITEMS When analyzing a true/false question containing a string of items, mark each item in the string as to whether it is true or false. Example: Sources of vitamin E include vegetable oils, wheat germ, chicken, corn, nuts, seeds, olives, asparagus, and spinach.

OTHER TIPS FOR TRUE/FALSE TESTS Don’t assume that true and false questions will require less study because any one question can contain a string of items, test your knowledge or application of knowledge. True and false questions test both your knowledge and your ability to analyze

MULTIPLE CHOICE TESTS Most commonly used test format in college. Requires very careful reading and analysis of responses. Select the best answer Most common problem with Multiple Choice tests is not being prepared.

MULTIPLE CHOICE TESTS Nature of a Multiple Choice Test is to have options that are true and false Use true/false strategy to eliminate wrong choices.

Multiple Choice Tests Example: Which of the following statements is false concerning the use of caffeine? A. Caffeine can temporarily step up your heartbeat. B. Caffeine can increase stomach-acid secretion. C. Caffeine wards off drowsiness and increases alertness. D. Studies have confirmed that caffeine is linked to cancer of the bladder and the pancreas

MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST-TAKING TIPS Longest or the most specific option will most often be the correct option. Qualifying modifiers are used more often in the correct option than absolute modifiers. Eliminate options that contain absolutes, silly remarks, or words that you would not be expected to know.

Multiple Choice Sample Question From a sociological frame of reference, the definition of a role is: A. A normative delay in ganglionic interaction. B. A breakfast pastry C. The expected behavior and rewards that accompany a status. D. A never-changing behavior expectation that accompanies a status.

MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST TAKING TIPS When the options are all numbers, the correct option is less likely to be an extreme number

MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST-TAKING TIPS Be aware of decoys in tests. It’s not uncommon to put a common incorrect response, as in the following sample math problem.

MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST-TAKING TIPS The correct option may be one of two similar options, with the most specific option usually correct. If you don’t know an answer, move on. You may find your answer or a hint in another question. If you have two synonymous options, neither will be correct .

MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST-TAKING TIPS The best option should be a grammatically correct extension of the question. Test writers frequently overuse the “all of the above” option. It’s better to know your material than to spend time looking for loopholes in an exam.