1. It’s Show Time: Tests, Papers, and Presentations
Chapter 7
It’s Show Time: Tests, Papers, and Presentations

2. Questions to Consider How can you combat performance anxiety?
What do the best students do when they take a test? Should you change your answers on a test?
What’s involved with choosing a topic for a paper or presentation?

3. Questions to Consider
Where should you get information for your papers or presentations?
What steps are involved in writing an essay or paper?
What does an effective presenter do?
What strategies can you use to make group work go well?

4. McClain (1983)
Research Question: Do “A” students engage in different test-taking behaviors than “C” or “F” students?
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5. The Study Test Behaviors
Reading all answers; Skipping difficult questions; Anticipating answer before reading options; Eliminating wrong answers

6. The Results!

7. A Closer Look at the Results
Variables A C F
Answers read per question*
3.66 (.63)
1.82 (.51)
1.48 (.60)
Number of anticipated answers*
40.90 (9.54)
7.65 (4.84)
2.30 (3.50)
Critiques of incorrect answers per question*
1.93 (.25)
.20 (.19)
.07(.12)
Number of questions initially skipped*
5.40 (3.41)
1.25 (1.45)
.40 (.82)
*p<.001

8. The So What Factor Preparation is still essential
Practice these test taking behaviors
Cover up answers to focus on the question before looking at options
Don’t fall victim to trap of distracter items
Skip difficult answers and find questions you know to build confidence
Cross out wrong options
Read all options before making a selection

9. Academic Stress Management
Facilitative Anxiety
Debilitating Anxiety
Moderate amount of anxiety
Effective- motivates you to perform without being overwhelming
High levels of anxiety
Hinders performance

10. Practice the Basics Get a good night’s sleep
Eat a nutritional breakfast
Take a walk or exercise
AP Photo/Bradley C Bower

11. Challenge Negative Thoughts
See Table 7.1 in Chapter 7 of Student Success in College: Doing What Works!

12. Nelson & Knight (2010)
The Power of Positive Recollections: Reducing Test Anxiety and Enhancing College Student Efficacy and Performance
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13. The Research Question
Does thinking about successful experiences prior to taking a test impact test performance?
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14. The Study
Students were randomly assigned to one of the following groups
Think and write about a successful experience
Think and write about your morning
Test Scores

15. The Results!

16. The So What Factor!
Focus on a successful experience before taking a test
Try this before writing a paper or doing a presentation

17. Reducing Anxiety
See Tips for Reducing Performance Anxiety and Improving Performance summary box in Chapter 7 of Student Success in College: Doing What Works!

18. Multiple Choice Test Strategies
Anticipate answers
Read all choices
Eliminate wrong answers
Skip difficult questions
Write on exam to highlight key terms
Draw figures or diagrams on exam
Mark questions that need further attention
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19. Is Changing Your Answer a Good Idea?
Most students do change answers but only for 2% of the questions
If you have a good reason for doing so, it usually leads to a good outcome!
Misread question
Discover a clue
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20. The Short Answer and Essay Exam

21. Planning Carefully read question
Divide time you have to complete test by number of questions to see how much time you have for each question
Spend 1/5 of your time on this stage
Organize thoughts- jot down main ideas and some details
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22. Writing
Strong opening that directly responds to question- thesis statement
Each paragraph should have a clear opening sentence focused on purpose
Keep purpose of test and audience in mind- show what you know
Strong conclusion that emphasizes main point
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23. Proofreading Re-read the question
Be sure you’ve answered all subparts of the question
Check that your ideas are connected
Be certain you provided support for your opinion- back it up!
Check and double check spelling and grammar
Focus on words that are on the page, not ideas in your head

24. Take Home Exams Can be challenging and rigorous Higher expectations
Time consuming- plan ahead!
Can typically use resources like computer to create a polished product!

25. On-line Exams May be less anxiety producing than in person exams
Professor decides on “settings” like time limits
Take advantage of practice opportunities if available to work out technology issues
Take it well before deadline so that if you encounter a problem, you’ll have time to address solutions
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26. Identifying Topics
See Table 7.3 in Chapter 7 of Student Success in College: Doing What Works!

27. Identifying Sources of Information
See librarians for assistance
Peer reviewed journals, books, newspapers, Internet
Read original work whenever possible
Encyclopedias not typically considered appropriate for college level work

28. Evaluating Websites
See Table 7.4 in Chapter 7 of Student Success in College: Doing What Works!

29. Avoid Plagiarism by Citing Sources
Always cite someone else’s thoughts or ideas (paraphrasing)
Cite everything except your own ideas or general knowledge
When using exact words from someone else, use quotations too

30. Citation Styles MLA – Modern Language Association
APA – American Psychological Association
Two most common styles
Both require:
In-text citations
Works Cited or Reference Page

31. Citation Examples
See Table 7.5 in Chapter 7 of Student Success in College: Doing What Works!

32. Organization Focus on outcome Know your audience Map out a path
Strong opening
Keep your map or outline in front of you
Strong conclusion
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33. Revising
See Revision Tips and Strategies in Chapter 7 of Student Success in College: Doing What Works!

34. Proofreading Check for accuracy and errors
Shift from global to specifics
Confirm that you always cited sources
Seek tutoring or writing support if needed

35. The Golden Rule

36. Strong Openings Grab the attention of your audience
Interesting statistics that speak to the importance of the topic
Stories that help the audience connect to the material on emotional level
Audience involvement through questioning or activities
Humor
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37. Tips for Effective Presentation Delivery
See Table 7.6 in Chapter 7 of Student Success in College: Doing What Works!

38. Emphasizing Important Concepts
Say it’s important
Become more animated or change voice
Repeat the information
Dramatic pause
Spend time on topic
Several examples
Share stories
Use visual tools
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39. Strong Conclusion Summarize key points
Focus audience back on your main idea

40. Power Point Tips
Chunk or organize information in visually effective manner
Headings
Charts
Visual Images
Graphs
Limit use of words
Use phrases not sentences
Limit number of bullets and text on each page

41. Practicing Your Presentation
Practice a lot!
In front of mirror, family, friends, etc.
Watch timing
Avoid filler words like “umm”
Ask audience for feedback
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42. GROUP WORK
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43. Group Rules Together create rules such as
Attend all group meetings; call if emergency
Come prepared to all meetings
Respond to s within 24 hours
Respect one another

44. Group Roles

45. Student Success Revisited
See Time for Action 7.8 in Chapter 7 of Student Success in College: Doing What Works!