Test Preparation

10 Tips for Test Taking:

1. Come prepared and arrive early for tests.

	Bring all the material you will need such as pencils and pens, a calculator, a dictionary, and a watch. This will help you focus on the task at hand.
	Stay relaxed and confident.
	Remind yourself that you are well-prepared and are going to do well.
	Don’t let yourself become anxious; if you feel anxious take a few deep breaths to relax.
	Don’t talk to other students before a test; anxiety is contagious.

2. Be comfortable but alert.

	Choose a good spot to take the test.
	Maintain an upright posture in your seat.

3. Preview the test (if it not timed).

	Spend 10% of your test time reading through the test carefully.
	Mark key terms and decide how to budget your time.

4. Answer the test questions in strategic order.

	Begin by answering the easy questions you know, then those with the highest point value.
	The last questions you answer should be the most difficult, take the greatest amount of writing, and have the least point value.

5. When taking a multiple-choice test, know when to guess.

	First eliminate the answers you know are wrong.
	Since your first choice is usually correct, don’t change your answers unless you are sure of the correction.

6. When taking essay tests, think before you write.

	Create a brief outline for your essay by jotting down a few words to indicate ideas you want to discuss.
	Number these items in your list to indicate the order in which you will discuss them.

7. When writing the essay test, get right to the point.

	State your main point in the first sentence .
	Use your first paragraph to provide an overview of your essay.
	Back up your point with specific information, examples, or quotations from your readings and notes.

8. Reserve 10% of your test time for review.

	Review your test.
	Resist the urge to leave as soon as you have completed all the items.
	Make sure you answered all the questions
	Proofread your writing, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

9. Analyze your test results.

	Each test can further prepare you for the next test.
	Use your tests to review when studying for the final exam.

10. Decide on and adopt which study strategies worked best for you.

Identify those that didn’t work well and replace them.

Landsberger, J., (2002). Ten Tips for Test Taking. Retrieved October 5, 2002, from University of St. Thomas Web site: http://iss.stthomas.edu/study guides/tsttak1.htm

Test-taking strategies

Not sure how to study for different types of tests? ( true/false, multiple choice, matching, sentence completion, etc.) Click here to test your knowledge of each test-taking strategy.

Mental preparation

Anxiety is something that everyone experiences. Click here to see how to reduce your test anxiety before an exam.

Emergency Test Preparation

So you just do not have enough time to study. You have spent too much time watching MTV and visiting with friends. Below are some emergency test preparation guidelines.

	Identify 5 key concepts or topics that will be covered on the test.
	Enter one at the top of each page.
	Use only key words or short phrases.
	In your own words, write and explanation, definition, and answer.
	DO NOT USE THE TEXT OR YOUR NOTES.
	Edit or re-write your understanding of each topic 1 – 5 in order of importance; 1 = most important.
	Follow the above process for two additional concepts if you have time .
	Try not to exceed nine concepts.
	Review the day of the test and try to relax.

Landsberger, J., (2002). Ten Tips for Test Taking. Retrieved October 5, 2002, from University of St. Thomas Web site: http://iss.stthomas.edu/studyguides/tstprpcrm.htm