1. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Chapter 8 Developing Test-Taking Skills It’s not only about a good grade, it’s still about learning, it’s still about learning, and learning will help you get the good grade.

2. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Tests don’t measure how smart you are... they’re simply tools that evaluate the progress you’ve made in your studies. Reflect on this.

3. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Good Preparation and Learning... are the most important factors in... are the most important factors in test-taking success and in overcoming test anxiety.

4. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Purpose of This Chapter To help you learn tips and strategies for test preparation and test-taking so you can take tests with confidence in college and for future job entrance, certification, or license exams. The keys are  understanding the test mechanics and being soundly prepared.

5. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Are you ready?

6. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Learning Outcomes 1. Make test preparation an ongoing effort. 2. Use study groups. 3. Understand, analyze, and respond to true/false, multiple choice, essay, and other test formats. 4. Identify common symptoms of test anxiety. 5. Use preparation, self-talk, visualization, and relaxation to overcome test anxiety.

7. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Class Think Recall as many tips and strategies from the previous chapters that would help you: 1.Prepare for tests 2.Overcome test anxiety

8. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Tips and Strategies for Test Preparation (from previous chapters) 1. Use PRQRT or SQ3R to:  help you learn while you read.  create self-tests for later study. 2. Use column or outline notetaking formats to create  study-ready notes. 3. Listen for instructor hints for test items. 4. Use self-talk to direct your preparation efforts. 5. Manage and schedule your study time.

9. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Tips & Strategies for Overcoming Test Anxiety (from previous chapters) 1.Use positive self-talk:  to direct you preparation.  to encourage yourself  “I can.... ” 2.Use self-discipline to:  start and sustain your learning.  manage your study time. 3.Use visualization to ____________. 4.Avoid procrastination.

10. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Math & Science Test Preparation Tips 1. Math is a building process; in order to understand the next steps you need to comprehend present and previous ones. 2. Begin preparing early. 3. Do assigned lab and homework problems. 4. Simulate tests conditions—practice timed problems.

11. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Class Share What are some of your: 1. good study habits? 2. effective study tools?

12. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Class Share What are some of your: 1. bad habits that keep you from studying? 2.... and how would you advise your classmates to avoid them?

13. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Making Time for Sound Test Preparation 1. What time adjustments will you make to discipline yourself to prepare for tests early and sustain your learning efforts? 2. Write them down. 3. Chose one time adjustment and write what immediate steps you will take to make this adjustment.

14. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Adjust Your Self-Talk Too! How will you adjust your self-talk to begin test preparation early and sustain your learning efforts? Quick Activity  write down your new self-talk. Examples: “I will begin test preparation early by ________.” “I will sustain my preparation by ____________.”

15. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Reminder  What we accomplish is indelibly linked to what we say to ourselves. 1.Our behavior is influenced by our self-talk. 2.Most things we do are first created by self-talk. 3.Self-talk shapes how we use our time and the results we get.  Use your power of self-talk to direct your test preparation.

16. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Rewards for Starting Early and Sustaining your Test Preparation 1. Mental clarity and less anxiety 2. You retain information—it’s learned! 3. Better control 4. Greater test-confidence 5. Better grades and jobs

17. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Class Think How can you predict test questions?

18. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Procrastinated?... and now you’re feeling stressed?

19. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Ever Procrastinate? What allows you to procrastinate?

20. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Don’t Let Procrastination Become a Habit. 1. It is bad for your health. 2. It can cause stress/anxiety. 3. It doesn’t sustain learning. 4. It’s not smart. 5. It makes you go into a crisis mode— c ra m m i n g !  See the next slides to help you through this time!

21. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Emergency Test Prep Derived from Miller, George A., The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on our Capacity for Processing Information (1956) Harvard A structured approach to cramming 1. Preview material to be covered. 2. Be selective and skim chapters for main points. 3. Concentrate on the main points.  Warning: This learning will be short-lived.

22. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Emergency Test Prep Begin with 5 sheets of paper: 1. Identify 5 key concepts or topics that will be covered on the test. 2. List 1 concept at the top of each page using key words. 3. In your own words, write a brief explanation, definition, answer, etc. for each of the key concept. 4. Compare your response with text and class notes.

23. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Emergency Test Prep (continued) 1. Edit or rewrite your understanding of each topic considering the text and class notes. 2. Sequence and number each page of your topics 1–5 in order of importance; 1 = most important 3. Follow same process for 2 additional concepts if you have time.

24. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Emergency Test Prep (continued) 4. Place them in a 1–7 page sequence. 5. Follow the above process for 1–2 more concepts for a total of 9. Follow your comfort level—add topics only as necessary. 6. Try not to exceed 9 concepts  focus on the most important. 7. Review the day of test; try to relax just before.

25. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. The Next Few Slides are about Study Groups Have you ever been in a study group? 1. What were the pros? 2....the cons? 3. What would have made your study group work better for you?  The next slides will give you the positives and guidelines for study groups.

26. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Study Groups = Serious Learning 1. Two heads are better than one  when you explain something you’ve learned to others, you understand it better. 2. Research shows  students who study in groups do better than students who study alone. 3. The commitment students make to a group helps them stay on task. 4. Studying with a good group is more enjoyable than alone.

27. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Study Groups: Making it Work 1. Search/locate guidelines on “How to Set up a Study Group.” 2. Choose dependable students. 3. Attendance is crucial for effectiveness of the group. 4. Assess the effectives of the group?  What’s working?  What should we improve?

28. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Guidelines Help You Make the Most of Your Study Group 1. Establish a purpose and a set of common goals. 2. Pick a time and place that works for everyone. 3. Set up a schedule and stick to it. 4. Socialize after the session. 5. Optimal group size is between 3–6 students. 6. Designate a chairperson who will be responsible for reserving the space and leading the agenda for each session. (You may want to rotate this position.)

29. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Guidelines Help You Make the Most of Your Study Group continued 7. Divide portions of the study material among group members. 7. Divide portions of the study material among group members. 8. Each member will be responsible for leading a discussion on assigned portion. 9. Always come prepared:  read the material.  do the homework.  bring all notes and books related to the topic of the session.

30. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. What’s your favorite test format?... and why?

31. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Different Test Format Success Tips The key to preparing and performing well on different test formats is: 1. understanding the test mechanics. 2. rehearsing what you’ve learned in a manner that simulates the test format.

32. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. True-False Test Mechanics & Strategies (T-F—the basis for Multiple Choice Test Strategies) 1.Every part of a true sentence must be “true.” 2.If the question contains negatives, such as “no, not, cannot,”  drop the negative and read what remains.  decide whether that sentence is true or false.  if it is true, its opposite, or negative, is usually false. 3.Qualifiers such as “usually” or “seldom,” make more modest claims, are more likely to reflect reality, and usually indicate “true” answers.

33. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. True-False Test Mechanics & Strategies continued 4.Absolute words restrict possibilities.  “No, never, none, always, every, entirely, only” imply the statement must be true 100% of the time and often indicate “false” answers. 5.Use a true-false analysis for each word/item in a series—if one is false, the statement is “false.” 6.Often true-false tests contain more true than false answers. 6.Often true-false tests contain more true than false answers.  You have ˃ 50% chance of being right with “true.”  You have ˃ 50% chance of being right with “true.”  However, your instructor may be the opposite. (Review past tests for patterns.)

34. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. What poses the greatest difficulty for you when preparing for and/or taking multiple choice tests?

35. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. What to Know About Multiple Choice Questions 1.Multiple choice questions usually include a phrase or stem followed by 3–5 options. 2.The directions can vary so pay attention:  whether each question has 1 or more correct options.  if you are penalized for guessing.  how much time is allowed (this directs your strategy).

36. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Multiple Choice Mechanics and Analysis (When you need a backup to knowing.) 1.Preview the test and mark, as appropriate, those you think you know. 2.Cover the options, read the stem, and try to answer.  Select the option that most closely matches your answer. 3.Treat each option as a true-false question—choose the most true.  Use the true-false analysis on each option. 4.Question options that grammatically don’t fit with the stem.

37. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Multiple Choice Mechanics and Analysis continued 5.Question options that are totally unfamiliar to you. 6.Use hints from questions you know. 7.Question options that contain negative or absolute words.  Try substituting a qualified term for the absolute one, like frequently for always or seldom for never, and see if you can eliminate it.

38. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Multiple Choice Mechanics and Analysis continued 8.When in doubt, favor options that contain qualifiers such as usually or generally—the response is longer and more inclusive. 9.If you know 2–3 options seem correct, “all of the above” is a strong possibility. 10.Be aware of “look alike options.”  Probably one is correct; choose the best but eliminate choices that mean basically the same thing and cancel each other out.

39. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Multiple Choice Mechanics and Analysis continued 11.Double negatives = positive. 12.If 2 options are opposite, chances are one is correct. 13.If 2 alternatives seem correct, compare them for differences, then refer to the stem to find your best answer.

40. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. What is your greatest challenge when writing essay question responses?

41. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Essay Exam Mechanics & Strategies 1.Preview the test and determine how much time you have for each question.  Allow time to review the entire test before submitting. 2.While fresh in your mind, jot down notes, outlines, steps, and formulas as you preview. 3.Pay close attention to the directives (list, explain, compare, contrast, critique). 4.Make a brief outline for each response.

42. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Essay Exam: Writing & Answering Tips 1. Begin with a strong first sentence stating the main idea of your essay. 2. Continue first paragraph by noting all key points. 3. Begin each paragraph with a key point from the introduction. 4. Develop each point in a complete paragraph. 5. Use transitions or enumerate to connect points.

43. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Essay Exam: Writing & Answering Tips continued 6. Use bulleted lists if/where appropriate. 7. Stick to your time allotment and organization. 8. Avoid very absolute statements when possible.  A qualified statement connotes a philosophic attitude, the mark of an educated person. 9. Qualify answers when in doubt.  It is better to say “toward the end of the war” than to say, “in 1756” when you can’t remember whether it’s 1756 or 1776.

44. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Essay Exam: Writing & Answering Tips continued 10. Stick to the facts unless you are specifically asked your opinion. 11. State evidence to support each point. 12. Be concise. 13. Proof.

45. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Key Chapter Points 1. The key to performing at your peak in any test situation is preparation—the earlier you start the better. 2. Use time management to budget your study time and sustain your preparation. 3. Use sound preparation strategies to solidify what you learn. 4. Prepare yourself mentally and physically through positive self-talk, visualization, and relaxation.

46. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Key Chapter Points continued 5. The key to preparing and performing well on different test formats is understanding the test mechanics and rehearsing what you’ve learned by simulating the test format. 6. Study groups enhance and solidify learning. 7. All of the above will help to overcome or eliminate test anxiety.

47. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Making Mistakes “Flops are part of life’s menu. Everyone makes mistakes. High achievers learn by their mistakes. By doing that, an error becomes the raw material out of which future successes are forged. Failure is not a crime. Failure to learn from failure is.” —Unknown

48. Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd. Being self- disciplined about learning actually feels good!