1. TEST-TAKING/ TEST ANXIETY WORKSHOP

2. WHAT IT TAKES TO BE SUCCESSFUL
4 IMPORTANT AREAS
Study skills
Test – “Wiseness”
Educational Attitude, Beliefs, & Self-Concept
Overcoming Test Anxiety

3. STUDY SKILLS
STUDY SMART vs
HARD

4. STUDY SKILLS Before Tests: Conduct daily, weekly & monthly reviews.
Create review tools: 3x5 cards, study group, & checklist.

5. TEST-WISENESS TECHNIQUES TO HELP YOU ATTACK THE TEST
CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
LOGICAL THINKING

6. TEST ANXIETY PHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNS: Sweaty palms Accelerated heartbeat
Loss of concentration
Feeling overwhelmed
“blank” mind
Shallow breathing

7. TEST ANXIETY PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS: Educational self-concept
Competence
Expectations of success
Self-talk

8. Test Anxiety Relaxation Techniques
Relax – Take deep breaths slowly breathing In and Out
Avoid drugs and alcohol
Form support groups
Talk with your instructor
Develop effective study skills
Face it head on

9. Anxiety Control During a TEST
Tell yourself, “I can be anxious later, now is the time to take the exam.”
Focus on answering the question, not on a grade or others’ performances.
Counter negative thoughts w/other more valid thoughts like, “I don’t have to be perfect.”
If allowed, get a drink or go to the bathroom.
Tense & relax muscles throughout your body; take a couple of deep breaths and try to maintain a positive attitude.
Eat something.
Break your pencil lead –then go sharpen it.
Think about a post-exam reward for yourself.

10. TEST-WISENESS TEST TAKING STRATEGIES: Manage your Time
Read ALL of the Answers
Trust your Gut (only change answers you misread)
Multiple Choice Questions
True/False Questions

11. Most General Alternative
General Language
Keywords: Primarily….Often

12. Example A chair is: A. an object with 4 octagonal legs
B. an object which has 2 heights, one inches, the other 32 inches
C. an object which has a base measuring inches and a seat measuring inches
D. a piece of furniture often found in the home

13. Middle Value Eliminate High/Low Example:
The mature human being has how many teeth?
A. 15
B. 32
C. 54
D. 7

14. Similar Alternatives Two answers are similar, neither is correct
Example:
The planarian has:
A. 3 legs
B. 4 hearing organs
C. ears in 4 locations
D. an anterior brain

15. Grammatical Agreement
Words in the stem of the question must be in grammatical agreement with answers. A An
Plurals
Singular

16. Opposite Alternatives
Two answers, opposite statements, one of which is correct
Example:
The planarian has:
A. an anterior brain
B. 3 legs
C. red eyes
D. a posterior brain

17. Example
A biologist who specializes in the study of the relationship of an organism to it’s environment is known as an:
A. ecologist
B. structuralist
C. taxonomist
D. naturalist

18. Word Association
Same words or synonyms in the stem of the question will be repeated in one of the answers
Example:
The Strong Vocational Interest Blank is used to measure:
- A. Aptitude
- B. Interests
- C. Achievement
- D. Adjustment

19. True/False Absolute meanings = FALSE Keywords:
Always, never, only, all, most, none
Vague Meanings = TRUE
Often, generally, seldom, may, perhaps, ususally

20. Not Which of the following is not……… NOT = FALSE
Look for answers that are true. The answer that is false is the correct one.

21. Other Test Wiseness Techniques
- B, C, and D are the BEST answers in a 5 answer multiple choice question
Avoid pairs when guessing
Non-answers “0”, “None of the Above” are not good choices
“All of the Above” is generally a good choice

22. If 2 choices are almost equal, pick the longer answer
Exaggerated or complex answers are usually false
Answer every question when not penalized
With difficult questions, visualize it, draw it. For example, word problems

23. On math multiple choice, fill in the answer and work backwards – this helps on other tests, as well
First impressions are often best. If an answer comes out of the blue, it is probably your right brain in action. Don’t fight this intuition unless you know you are wrong.

24. On fill-in the blank exams, never leave a blank
On fill-in the blank exams, never leave a blank. You may get partial credit.
Essay exams – say as much as you can, use short paragraphs and write legibly. Volume, clarity, and neatness pay off!

25. -Reread directions before turning in the exam
-Reread directions before turning in the exam. Use the entire time period to double check.
-Stay until the very end – questions may be asked that can help you.

26. To become a better test-taker, you must Practice.