1. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Chapter 17: Taking Exams College Reading and Study Skills, Ninth Edition by Kathleen T. McWhorter

2. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Objective: This chapter discusses aspects of becoming test-wise and also covers test anxiety issues. LEARNING PRINCIPLE: When taking exams, trust your reasoning skills to help you figure out correct answers. Ace that test!

3. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers General Suggestions for Taking Exams Bring Necessary Materials Get There on Time Sit in the Front of the Room Preread the Exam Plan Your Time Read the Questions Carefully

4. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Hints for Taking Objective Exams Read the Directions Leave Nothing Blank Look for Clues: Choose what seems to be the best answer. Don’t Change Answers without Good Reason

5. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Hints for Taking True/False Tests Watch for qualifiers that change the meaning of a statement. –All dogs are black. –Some dogs are black. –Some dogs wear sunglasses!

6. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Hints for Taking True/False Tests Read Two-Part Statements Carefully –The World Health Organization has been successful in its campaign to eliminate smallpox and malaria. –Hint: Malaria is still a world health problem.

7. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Hints for Taking True/False Tests Look for Negative and Double-Negative Statements –It is not unreasonable to expect Vietnam veterans to continue to be angry about their exposure to Agent Orange. –Hint: Words and word parts such as no, none, never, not, cannot, in-, dis-, un-, it-, and ir- can change the meaning of a statement.

8. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Hints for Taking True/False Tests Make Your Best Guess –Absolute statements that contain words such as always, all, never, or none tend to be false. –Mark any statement that contains unfamiliar terminology. –When all else fails, it is better to guess true than false.

9. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Examples of Absolute Statements Key deer is a species found only in the Florida Keys. Many living species are yet to be discovered and named. Are these statements true or false?

10. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Hints for Taking Matching Tests Glance through both lists first to get an overview. Answer the items you are sure of first. Don’t choose the first answer you see that seems correct; items later in the list may be better choices. You may consider “reverse matching” if it seems more effective.

11. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Hints for Taking Short-Answer Tests Use point distribution as a clue to how many pieces of information to include. Plan what you will say before starting to write. Use the amount of space provided as a clue to how much you should write.

12. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Hints for Taking Multiple-Choice Tests Read all choices first, considering each. Some multiple-choice tests include combinations of previous choices (inter-item clues). Use logic and common sense. Study any items that are very similar. Look for qualifying words (as in true/false tests).

13. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Hints for Taking Multiple-Choice Tests Some multiple-choice questions require application of knowledge or information. Answer the items using your own words. Avoid selecting answers that are unfamiliar or that you do not understand. Pick the choice that seems complete. Make educated guesses.

14. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Hints for Taking Multiple-Choice Tests In most societies a.values are highly consistent. b.people often believe and act on values that are contradictory. c.all legitimate organizations support the values of the majority. d.values of equality never exist alongside prejudice and discrimination. Note the qualifiers in this question.

15. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Hints for Taking Standardized Tests Work at a fairly rapid rate. Don’t plan on finishing the test. Don’t expect to get everything right. Find out if there is a penalty for guessing. Get organized with your answer sheet and test booklet before the timing begins.

16. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Hints for Taking Essay Exams Read the Question –Read the Directions First –Study the Question for Clues to the Topic and to the Organization You Should Use Watch for Questions with Several Parts Make Notes as You Read Organize Your Answer in a Brief Outline Check key words in Figure 17.1 in your book.

17. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Hints for Taking Essay Exams Use Correct Paragraph Form: organization, spelling, and punctuation Begin Your Answer with a Thesis Statement Make Your Main Points Easy to Find Include Sufficient Explanation Avoid Opinions and Judgments Check key words in Figure 17.1 in your book.

18. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Hints for Taking Essay Exams Make Your Answer Readable Proofread Your Answer If You Run Out of Time, Jot Down Major Ideas If You Don’t Know the Answer, Write in Something Check key words in Figure 17.1 in your book.

19. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Make Your Answer Readable Use ink. Use clean, 8 -by-11-inch paper. Number your pages with your name on each sheet. Do not scratch out sentences; instead, draw a single line through them. Write on one side. Leave plenty of space between questions.

20. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Controlling Test Anxiety Test Anxiety Is Not an Excuse for Not Studying Get Used to Test Situations Control Negative Thinking Compose Yourself before the Test Begins Answer Easy Questions First

21. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Get Used to Test Situations Know the building and room where you will be taking the test. Develop practice or review tests. Practice working with time limits. Use a timer or an alarm clock. Take as many tests as possible.

22. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Summary Questions How can you improve the way you take most exams? What can you do to improve the way you take objective exams? What can you do to improve the way you take essay exams? How can you control test anxiety?

23. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers Take a Reading Road Trip! Take a trip to HOLLYWOOD and visit the Test Taking and Preparation module on your CD-ROM.