The Art of Taking Tests

The Art of
Taking Tests

Prepared by Eleanor Vendetti
Humanities Department
Jump to Hints on Taking Specific Kinds of Tests.
Test Anxiety? The best cure for test anxiety is preparation. Begin preparing for the test the first day of class. Review ten minutes before each class and ten minutes after each class. Also do all of the reading and homework assignments, asking questions when you don't understand. If the material is unusually difficult, form study groups of reliable students and meet regularly.
What to do
Before, During, and After the Test
Even when you take the time to review at short intervals, to prepare for a test, you may also want to use the following strategies:

Before the test:

Find out from the teacher:

Which material the test will cover -- which chapters?
Where the items for the test will come from --mostly from the class notes or from the reading?
What kind of a test it will be -- essay, multiple-choice, etc.?
How long you will be given to take it.
How much it will count towards the total grade.
Can you use notes, your text, or a dictionary.
Take several days to review your material.

Go over your class and reading notes (keep rereading text to a minimum).
Go over sample/previous tests if available.
Focus on key points and details (be able to discuss these aloud in your own words).

During the test:

Arrive rested (get a good night's sleep) and relaxed (read the newspaper or engage in small talk).
Arrive on time so you are clear on the directions.
Be prepared with the proper materials (working pen/sharpened pencils, dictionary, etc.).
Bring a watch and pace yourself, tackling the items that are worth the most points first.
Do the questions you know best first (this releases tension and gets you started).
Double-check all answers before you hand in the test to be sure you have answered all of the items and to check for accuracy.
Think positively and visualize success.

After the test: (when it's graded and returned to you):

Go over missed items and determine why you got them wrong. They may appear on another test or on the state boards.
Check the teacher's addition. You might pick up another few points.

Hints on Taking Specific Types of Tests
The Essay Test: This test is really a simple essay and should follow the principles that you learned in English Composition. The answer is a thesis followed by support. Professors tell us that the reasons that students do poorly on essay tests are that they do not answer the question, the response is disorganized, some of the details do not have to do with the question, and the students do not understand some of the terminology used in the questions. To avoid these pitfalls, use the following strategies:

First, brainstorm your answers on a separate piece of paper or at the top of your response sheet. This gets you going and helps with organization.
Next, turn the question into an answer. This will be your topic sentence.
Example:    Question--Discuss the causes of the Civil War.
  First sentence--There are two major causes of the Civil War.
    (Go on to give the causes in detail.)
To be more efficient when taking essay exams, learn the following terms:

enumerate: give a list
causes: give the reasons or causes
effects: give the results
compare: focus on the similarities
contrast: focus on the differences
define: give an accurate meaning/definition
describe: give the major characteristics
diagram: make a chart/drawing
illustrate: give examples, maybe use a diagram
analyze: give both sides
evaluate: give your opinion with backup
summarize: give key points with no personal opinions
The Multiple Choice Test: Multiple Choice tests are most common because they are easy for the professor to correct and grade. You are asked to select one answer from the choices given. Use the following strategies:

Eliminate obvious wrong answers (actually draw a line through them so you're not distracted).
Be aware of "qualifiers," words that can easily change meanings: always, never, seldom, etc. Circle these words so you are sure not to miss them.
Don't agonize over complicated items (ones that say, "only a, only a and b, or only b and c.") Students sometimes spend too much time analyzing these. Leave such questions for last.
In the case of math exams, try to estimate your answer before you do the calculation.
The Short Answer Test: These questions usually require filling in the blanks or a short explanation. It helps if you have studied. Be sure you answer the question. In preparing for a short-answer test, concentrate on vocabulary and key details.
The True/False Test: Often these items count for a small part of a larger test. Answer them quickly. Watch for "qualifiers," words that change meaning. Absolute qualifiers like never and always often indicate a false answer.
The Matching Test: This is most often used for vocabulary tests. It's important to know if the answers come out even, if there are more items in one column, or if there is more than one correct response.
The Open-Book Test: Students often think that they don't have to study for an open-book test, but a little preparation for this type of test can go a long way. Mark the book for key ideas. Use post-it notes, paper clips, or other bookmarks to help quide you to key concepts and facts. Know where and how to access information quickly. Students often spend too much time leafing through the material; it's better to come to the test organized and prepared. Often, these tests can be tricky or require application of the material, so it's best not to be too nonchalant about an open-book test.

Learning Center
Capital Community College