1. Preparing for Midterm Exam 1 ANTH 011: Introduction to North American Archaeology Summer 2013: Sara M. Getz, MS

2. Basic Exam Information Date: Tues. May, 29 th, 2013 Location: Online – Midterm Exam 1 (SU13) Time: Exam Opens: 12:05 AM, Exam Closes: 11:59 PM (EST) Time Limit: 60 minutes Content: Chapters 1–5, Lessons 1–15 Format: 50 multiple-choice questions, Open Book/Open Notes Notes: –You must take the exam by yourself. Working with another student will be considered cheating. –You must start the exam by 10:59PM (EST) to receive the full 60 minutes. –The exam will automatically submit after 60 minutes or at 11:59PM (EST). –ANGEL is closed for routine maintenance between 4-6 AM (EST) every day. You cannot work on or submit the exam during this time.

3. You cannot be successful in this course without investing time reading the book and the lessons I recommend the following strategy for reading in this course (and reviewing for the exams): 1)Read the chapter/lesson once fairly quickly. Don’t focus on trying to retain details. Get the lay of the land. 2)Read the chapter/lesson again more slowly. I highlight or underline and focus on picking on key facts/ideas. 3)Read the chapter a final time and create an outline/personal study guide. Sometimes I combine steps 2 & 3 if I am pressed for time. Suggested Reading Strategy

4. Figuring out what is important from the textbook and the lessons is more than half the battle. – Sorting through the information in this course and identifying what is important and what is merely interesting is an important skill that you will learn with time and practice. Here is a list of things in each chapter that you should focus on to get you started (this is not an exhaustive list): Items mentioned in the main points and summary points Key terms and definitions Major groups/cultures in each chapter Changes in climatic conditions or natural disasters The introduction of new technology Changes in subsistence strategies Identifying Key Information

5. Suggested Study Strategy Re-read and take notes on the study guides you have created. Review your weekly quizzes. Make sure that you have found the correct answers to any questions you missed on the quizzes. Review the Summary Points at the end of each chapter. Find and review information related to the summary points in the text. Review the Main Points at the beginning of each lessons. Be sure to have a good idea of what topics are covered in each lesson. Familiarize yourself with the definitions at the end of each chapter and how they are used within the chapters. There will be “definition” questions on the exam.

6. Open book/notes exams are not easier than traditional exams. They can even be more difficult if you are not prepared. – Books, lessons, quizzes, and notes can be used to take the exam. I do not recommend using any other online or paper resources because the information may be different than the textbook/lessons. – I recommend having a well-organized outline of each of the chapters and lessons that will be on the exam. If you invest the time in reading, re- reading, and outlining you will have a good chance of being successful on the exam. – Practice using the Index in your textbook. This can help you quickly find information related to a particular topic in the text. – You will only have 60 minutes to take the 50-question multiple-choice exam. You will not have time to look up the answers to every question. Don’t let having your books and notes hurt you! Studying for the Open Book Exam

7. TestTakingTips.com: http://www.testtakingtips.com/test/openbook.htm CourseHero – Tips for Open Book Exams: http://www.coursehero.com/study-skills/test-taking-strategies/tips-for-open- book-exams/ Ask.com - Open Book Test: How to Prepare and Study http://homeworktips.about.com/od/schooltests/qt/openbook.htm http://homeworktips.about.com/od/schooltests/qt/openbook.htm Additional Open Book Exam Advice From the Web Some information I found to be helpful about taking open book exams:

8. Email: Use ANGEL course mail During the week, email will typically be checked each morning and evening All email will always be answered within 48 hours Office Hours: Online by appointment – Email me through ANGEL to schedule a time to discuss any questions you may have Still Have Questions?