Test-Taking Strategies

I. Prepare yourself for the material

1. Use your study system
2. Master the material
3. Take a practice test

II. Find out what the test will be like

1. Format
2. Material
3. Time limit
4. Aids

III. Prepare yourself emotionally and physically

1. Rest
2. Eat
3. Relax
4. Take a break
5. Bring supplies
6. Lessen the time pressure
7. Sit in the front
8. Think positively

IV. Tips for working through any test

1. Read all problems before beginning
2. Plan your time
3. Read directions carefully
4. Check calculations as you do them
5. Watch for errors as you rewrite a problem from one line to the next
6. Employ a check if you can
7. Check the answer to be sure it makes sense and is in the required form
8. Use all of the time allotted
9. Do not panic
10. Leave no question blank

V. Strategies for working different types of tests

1. Traditional in-class timed test
1. Jot down important info on the back of the test
2. Write yourself a note to check for your common errors
3. Write your name on the front of the test
4. Read all of the problems before beginning
5. Look at the board
6. Listen to verbal instructions
7. Divide the test questions into three categories
1. Problems you can complete quickly and correctly
2. Problems you can complete correctly, but will take some time
3. Problems you don't know how to complete
8. Do not dwell on any one problem
9. Use all of the time allotted
2. In-Class tests with unlimited time
1. Productive time is not unlimited
2. Take the test as if there were a time limit
3. Take a short break when you're finished
4. Check your work
3. In-Class open book or open notes test
1. Tab and mark your book and notes
2. Don't underestimate the difficulty
4. Take-Home test
1. Do not procrastinate
2. Don't underestimate the difficulty
3. Treat as a combination of B and C above

VI. Strategies for working through different types of problems

1. Show-Your-Work
1. Show every step
2. Make your work very organized and easy to read
3. Don't give up on a problem with more than one part
2. Multiple choice
1. Check the form of the answer
2. Check units
3. Solve in your head
4. Make sure your answer matches one choice exactly
5. Don't fall into a trap
6. Educated guessing is O.K.
1. Eliminate obviously wrong answers
2. Work backwards from plausible choices
3. Avoid choices involving extremes or unfamiliar terms
3. True-False
1. Read the question very carefully
2. Mark the statement false if any part of it is false
3. A statement is probably false if it contains absolutes
4. On the whole, true-false tests contain more true than false statements
4. Fill-in-the-Blanks
1. Decide what kind of answer is required
2. Your answer should complete the sentence logically and grammatically
3. Look for key words in the statement to jog your memory
5. Short answer
1. Use the assignment of points to help guide the length and detail of your answer
2. Read the questions carefully
3. Watch for instruction words
4. Answer precisely
5. Stay on the topic
6. No opinions or judgments unless asked
7. Restate the question in your answer
8. Use complete sentences and correct grammar
9. Don't ever leave blank
6. Essay
1. Read the question carefully
2. Think about what you will write
3. Jot down an outline of your major points
4. Restate the question in your answer
5. State the answer right away
6. Use the body of the essay to develop your points and provide detail
7. Do not ramble
8. No opinions or judgments unless asked
9. State your ideas clearly
10. Stick to a logical plan for developing your essay
11. Use complete sentences and correct grammar
12. Save time to proofread
13. Don't ever leave blank

References

Mary Catharine Hudspeth and Lewis R. Hirsch, Studying Mathematics, Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1982.

Carol C. Kanar, The Confident Student, third Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1998.

Carol Minnick Santa and Donna E. Alvermann, Science Learning: Processes and Applications, International Reading Association, Inc., 1991.

Cyrus F. Smith, Jr. and Henry S. Kepner, Jr., Reading in the Mathematics Classroom, National Education Association of the United States, 1981.

This overview was compiled by Karla McCavit for the Quantitative Skills Center at Albion College.

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