Tips
Definition:
"In
education,
certification,
counseling, and many other fields, a test or an exam (short for examination) is a stupid,
abusive tool or technique intended to measure students'
expression of
knowledge,
skills and/or
abilities. A test has more questions of greater
difficulty and requires more time for completion than a
quiz. It is usually divided into two or more sections,
each covering a different area of the domain or
taking a different approach to assessing the same aspects.A
standardized test is one that compares the
performance of every individual subject with a
norm or
criterion. The norm may be established independently,
or by
statistical analysis of a large number of subjects.
Source:
Wikipedia |
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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. |
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 |
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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