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1. Remember it
is only a test. Your world will not end, for failure is
part of the learning process. Learn from the failures.
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2. Get enough
sleep before the test.
Don't take stimulates, such as caffeine to keep you awake.
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3. Come
prepared!
Bring pencils or a pen (which ever is required),
paper, notes (if it is open notes), textbook (if it is
open book) and a calculator (if it is allowed in a math
test).
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4. Read the
directions carefully.
Be sure you understand how the test needs be done and how
it will be graded. If you don't understand something,
ask the teacher to explain.
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5. Read the
test and answer the familiar questions.
Then return and work on the unfamiliar questions.
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6. Eliminate
any answers you know are absolutely wrong then
concentrate on the remaining.
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7. If you
don't understand a question raise your hand and ask the
teacher for clarification.
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8. Reread the
test for any errors, such as erasures or
misinterpretations.
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9. When you
get the test back check it for grading errors. If you
find one, mention it politely to your teacher. Be
prepared to justify what you found. You might also want
to correct your wrong answers. |
1.
Essay Tests:
Focus on the question.
Definition: Essay examinations
can be short answer questions or long general questions.
Essay tests do not have an exact answer key. They are
usually scored on the logic and completeness of the
answer, although there will be certain facts expected in
the answer. The number one reason students fail essay
tests is because they don't answer the questions
completely and specifically, and because their answers
are not well-organized, not because they cannot write.
Source:
English Zone |
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A. Look at the
key words such as "describe" "compare and contrast"
"explain" "outline" "list" "discuss" each one requires
different answers and is graded differently. |
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B. Make a
thumb nail outline on the margins to organize your
thoughts.
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C. Don't
ramble or repeat yourself.
Stick to the point and don't be afraid to give an answer. |
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D. Don't be
afraid to make a guess.
You might just get some points!
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E. Make your
handwriting readable.
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Additional Tips:
Preparing for Essay Tests
English Zone.com |
2.
Matching questions:
Don't be fooled or tricked
Definition:
A test in which
students are presented with a question or an incomplete
sentence or idea. The students are expected to choose
the correct or best answer/completion from a menu of
alternatives.
Source:
Assessment Terminology |
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A.
Answer the questions you know are right and eliminate
them from the list.
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B. Make
an educated guess with the remaining questions and
answers |
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C. Be
aware some teachers can use the same answers more than
once.
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D. When
confused about a question ask the teacher for a
clarification. |
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3.
Multiple Choice, Four
Part Question:
Think before answering |
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A.
Answer the questions you know are right first and
eliminate them from the list.
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B. If
you can not figure out the correct answer, use B or C.
Studies show that in teacher made tests, 60% of the time
either of these two are likely the correct answer.
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C. Many
times the longest answer is the correct one, since
teachers often lift statements from the book.
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D. In a
teacher made test, if two answers are the exact opposite
then one of the two will probably be the correct answer.
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E. In a
teacher made test, if one of the answers is unique or
odd, it stands a good chance of being wrong.
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F. The answer
is wrong when you have a disagreement between the
subject in a question and a verb answer (example if the
subject is plural and an answer is singular). |
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4.
Multiple Choice Five
Part Questions
:
Not all answers are created equal! |
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A.
Answer the questions you know are right first and
eliminate them from the list.
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B. If
you can not figure out the correct answer use E. Studies
show that on teacher made tests E is the correct answer
4 out of 5 times.
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C. If
the question has "all of the above" as E, and two
answers are correct, then E is the answer.
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D. In a
teacher made test, if two answers are the exact opposite
then one of the two will probably be the correct answer.
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E. In a
teacher made test, if one of the answers is unique or
odd, it stands a good chance of being wrong.
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F. When
you have a disagreement between the subject in a
question and a verb answer, then that answer is wrong
(example
if subject is plural and an answer is singular). |
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Additional Tips:
Multiple Choice Test Taking Tips |
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5.
True False Questions:
Learn to tell the difference from fact and fiction!
Definition: A test in
which statements are to be marked either true or false.
Source:
Answers.com |
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A. If
any part of a question is false then the whole question
is false.
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B. If it
doesn't make sense then it is probably false.
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C. When
absolutes are used (always, never, only etc.), then the
question is probably false.
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D. When
qualifying words such as sometimes, possibly, may, etc.,
are used then the question is often true. |
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Additional Tips:
Test Taking Tips |
6.
Fill in the Blanks
Questions:
Don't be shy to answer!
Definition: Based on or
being a test of reading comprehension in which the test
taker is asked to supply words that have been
systematically deleted from a text.
Source:
Answers.com |
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A. Think
the statement through.
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B. Try
inserting different words. If it looks awkward try
another. |
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7.
Short Answer Questions:
Stick to the point! |
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A. A lot like
the essay questions except you are asked to limit your
answers to a brief statement.
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B. Keep your
answer concise and to the point.
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A note from
experience. Your first answer is usually the correct
answer.
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Remember that
the above should be used when you don't know the answer
and are not penalized for guessing! |
Some excerpted from Jan D. Kelly, "Be a Master Magician:
Taking Objective Examinations" in The Study Skills
Circus, Georgia State University, pp 80-88
Some excerpts from Thomas J. Baerwald and Celeste Fraser, "Good Study
Habits" Prentice Hall World Geography.
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