| General Test Taking Tips | |
General Test Taking Tips
Get there early so you can find a seat, set up your materials and relax.
Review the entire test before you answer any questions. This will help you to strategize how you will take the test.
Take a few moments to relax tense muscles. Do this throughout the test.
Read directions carefully. Ask questions if you don't understand or need clarification.
If there is information you don't want to forget, write it on scrap paper or in the margin.
Go through the test and answer the easiest questions first. Matching questions are often good to start with because they provide a reminder of important terms and definitions.
Use good strategies for answering multiple choice and other objective questions.
Eliminate options you know to be incorrect.
Statements that begin with always, never, none, except, most, or least-are probably NOT the answer .
Give each option of a question the “true-false test” This may reduce your selection to the best answer.
Try to supply your own answer before choosing an alternative listed on the test.
Make sure you answer every question.
If you have to guess:
The length of choices can be a clue. Choose the longest.
If two choices are similar, choose neither.
If you are penalized for guessing, don’t guess.
If two choices are opposites, choose one of them.
The most general alternative is usually the right answer.
When answering essay questions, remember that the objective is to demonstrate how well you can explain and support an idea, not just what you know.
Keep the following in mind:
Read over all the essay questions before you start to write.
Think before you begin writing.
Start with a direct response to the question.
Mention the topics or areas described in the question.
Provide specific as well as general information.
Use the technical vocabulary of the course.
Outline the main points you want to make, determine the order in which you want to write your points, determine the support you want to add, then write.
Write legibly. Leave some space so you can add to your answer, later.
Check for grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc.
When problem solving, ask yourself:
What am I being asked to find?
What information has been provided that will help me to find the answer?
How can I break the problem down into parts?
Does the answer make sense? Does it cover the whole problem?
Watch the clock. Make sure you'll have time to complete the test sections with the highest value, if not the entire test.
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