1. Student Success Workshop :

2. Come see Mary Trussler, Academic Skills Coordinator OFFICE HOURS (starting September 17th) Monday 9am-2pm Tuesday 4:30pm-8:30pm Wednesday 10am-3pm CONTACT INFO Room 227 marytr@nipissingu.ca (705)645-2927 Ext. 7209 DO YOU NEED HELP WITH ACADEMIC SKILLS? MATH WRITING Get helpful tips on: Study Skills Test Writing Exam Preparation Coping with Stress Time Management Take advantage of these FREE Services!

3. During this Workshop we will explore: 1. Test Preparation 2. Test Taking 3. Coping with Test Anxiety

4. 1.Test preparation Content Material and supplies Physical Mental 4

5. Quality Test Preparation Go to class Listen actively while in class Take good notes in class Read textbook actively Create good textbook notes Combine your class and text notes into:  Condensed notes (e.g. cue cards)  In your own words  Pictures and graphs Study = practice test

6. Continuous process Preview and read Active listening Review Study sessions 6

7. Continuous preparation This process should not be underestimated! 7

8. Learning styles Visual? Auditory? Kinesthetic? 8

9. Cramming

10. Test Preparation Don’t cram! Rule of thumb: ½ to 1 hr of studying for every 1% of test e.g. 30% test = 15-30 hrs of study Best memory? Frequent but short study sessions

11. 2. Test Time!

12. Quick Quiz 1. There were 4 MC questions. How much was each MC question worth? 2. There were 2 short answer questions. a) Did you have to answer both questions? b) How much was each short answer question worth? Stat: Only 20% will read and follow test directions!

13. Multiple Choice Questions 1. Biology is: a) A type of rock b) Is where animals are kept c) Is the study of science d) Is the study of life e) None of the above f) All of the above

14. Multiple Choice Questions 1. Biology is: A type of science Study animals, plants, cells

15. Multiple Choice Questions 1. Biology is: a) A type of rock b) Is where animals are kept c) Is the study of science d) Is the study of life e) None of the above f) All of the above

16. Multiple Choice Questions 1. Biology is: a) A type of rock b) Is where animals are kept c) Is the study of science d) Is the study of life e) None of the above f) All of the above Stuck? A) Don’t guess! B) Put a symbol C) Move on

17. 2. Nipissing’s mascot is a: Lumberjack - type fellow on the website

18. Multiple Choice Questions 2. Conestoga’s mascot is a: a) Badger b) Bear c) Condor d) Cougar e) None of the above

19. Multiple Choice Questions 3. Which of the following is not a useful study tip when preparing for tests:

20. Multiple Choice Questions 3. Which of the following is not a useful study tip when preparing for tests: a) Taking breaks during your study sessions b) Planning your reading and studying schedule well ahead of the test date c) Waiting until the last minute to cram so that you don’t forget anything you studied from a long time ago d) Practicing frequently over time for short durations DO NOT

21. Multiple Choice Questions 4. You may have one of the following learning styles: Which one do I have? But it says styles with an ‘s’? Hmmm…the question says may? What does this question ask? Think like the instructor!

22. Multiple Choice Questions 4. You may have one of the following learning styles: a) Auditory b) Visual c) Kinesthetic d) All of the above e) None of the above

23. Multiple Choice Questions 1. Biology is: a) A type of rock b) Is where animals are kept c) Is the study of science d) Is the study of life e) None of the above f) All of the above Brainstorm: Science Bio Chem Physics

24. Strategies for Multiple Choice 1.Cover the answer choices 2.Read Q carefully 3.Highlight important words (watch for qualifiers: may, some, none, all) 4.Rephrase Q in your own words 5.Predict possible answers 6.Check format of answers 7.Look at EACH option in order slowly 8.Eliminate incorrect answers 9.ID correct answer 10.If can’t answer, put a symbol and come back later 11.Don’t leave any answer blank!

25. Short and Long Answer Tests: comprehension and application Explain why and how your argument supports your answer Include the right number (look at how much Q is worth) of specific details (examples and terminology) to support your answer Answer all parts of the question (watch for ‘and’)

26. Short Answer Question Compare and contrast multiple choice and short- answer test questions from the instructor’s perspective. (4 marks)

27. Short Answer Question Compare and contrast multiple choice and short- answer test questions from the instructor’s perspective. (4 marks) Compare = similarities Contrast = differences Instructors perspective = why would an instructor choose to use MC questions on a test? Why use short-answer questions?

28. Short Answer Question Compare and contrast multiple choice and short- answer test questions from the instructor’s perspective. (4 marks) MC QuestionsSA Questions Compare (similarities) *Tests student knowledge Contrast (differences) *Tests lower-level understanding (e.g. cued recall) *Easier to mark *Tests deeper level understanding and comprehension (e.g. analysis & application) *More difficult and time- consuming to mark

29. Essay/short answer strategy Read Underline, highlight Key words Plan an outline Vocabulary Standard format Proofread 29

30. About open book exams Not easy Prepare Up close and personal Organization 30

31. Open book preparation Coding system Index Chapter summaries Overview or mind maps Concise notes Sticky notes Vocabulary lists Comments Index cards 31

32. Open book strategy Review Order Read Outline Move on Concise answers Quotations Content Buzzwords Breathe deeply 32

33. General Test-Taking Strategies Put your name on all pages of the test Memory dump Preview your test  # pages, # Qs, Q types Read and follow directions! Allot time by weight of questions Read each Q carefully  Watch for qualifiers (always, not, none, some)  Underline key words; define  Rephrase Q in your own words

34. 3.Nervous About Exams?

35. The major problem … negative effect on our ability to think “going blank” or “freezing” block thought processes 35

36. 3 Strategies Change Your Thinking Relaxation Techniques Effective Study Techniques 36

37. We all talk to ourselves 37

38. How could you change this statement? I have to get a 70 on this exam. 38

39. How does this sound? I know that I’ve done my best to study. If I put too much pressure on myself it can backfire so, as much as I want a 70, all I can do is my best. 39

40. Relaxation Techniques Drink water Jump-start your brain Polarize your breathing The Big Rocks 40

41. Effective Study Techniques Study Early Be Prepared Deal with Distractions Test Taking Strategy 41

42. Test Taking Strategies Prepare Get enough sleep Eat well Protein: eggs, bacon, peanut butter, cheese, yogurt, tofu Be on TIME! Answer questions that you know Breathing and relaxation exercises Do your best!

43. Come see Mary Trussler, Academic Skills Coordinator OFFICE HOURS (starting September 17th) Monday 9am-2pm Tuesday 4:30pm-8:30pm Wednesday 10am-3pm CONTACT INFO Room 227 marytr@nipissingu.ca (705)645-2927 Ext. 7209 DO YOU NEED HELP WITH ACADEMIC SKILLS? MATH WRITING Get helpful tips on: Study Skills Test Writing Exam Preparation Coping with Stress Time Management Take advantage of these FREE Services!

44. Wise words … “Confidence comes from being prepared”. John Wooden “ Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it”. Lou Holtz 44