Academic Resource Center Study Skills: Test Preparation

1
Academic Resource CenterStudy Skills Test
Preparation
Contact Angie S. Pickens, MA University of North
Alabama Coordinator, Academic Resource
Center aspickens_at_una.edu
2

• In your world, you cannot escape tests!
• ACT
• SAT
• Undergraduate Degree
• Graduate Degree
• GRE/GMAT/MCAT/LSAT/MAT etc.
• Career Related Certification(s)
• Tutoring Helping Children

3
Suggestions

• Get organized!!!!
• Schedule specific times throughout the week to
  study. (try for same time each day)
• Begin with hardest assignment first
• Try not to study too much at one time
• Take short breaks
• Try not to text or use phone when studying
• Get help from another student

4
Get Motivated! It will wake up your BRAIN!

• Find Positive Motivation!
• Intrinsic a drive (motivation) that comes from
  the inside of a person. Example Wanting to
  maintain a 4.0 GPA because YOU want to
• Extrinsic a drive (motivation) that comes from
  external factors. Example getting 100 for every
  A you make

5
Using Flash Cards
Click here to see how these can be used

• Carry some blank ones with you (3x5 are a good
  size)
• Good for vocabulary words, math formulas,
  historical facts
• Color code them as well group like terms
  together. Think of a characteristic that
  distinguishes one from another and remember that
  color.
• Draw a picture or cut out one and glue it to the
  card. Good for visual learners.
• Carry them with you so you can study in spare
  time. Even short increments are better than none.
  Example waiting for class to start or stopping
  at a red light.
• Shuffle the cards after each time you go through
  them.( keeps you from memorizing the order)
• (Biggest mistake Putting too much info. on the
  card)

6
Benefits of Good Test Prep.

• Example-- Education students
• Can be a more effective teacher
• Knowledge can be increased in content area
• Can develop a personal self-interest in topics
  covered
• Can be better prepared to be hired as a teacher

7
Test Taking Tips

• Know what type of test will be given (ask
  teacher)
• Study well in advance (results of good time
  management skills)
• Stay caught up in reading assignments
• Study the most difficult content matter first
• Make sure you get plenty of rest
• Eat meals high in protein
• Get help from teacher or peer tutor

8
Test Taking Tips

• Do not cram
• Do not skip getting enough rest
• Do not panic! If an answer doesnt come to
  youskip it and go to a different question (don't
  forget to go back answer the skipped ones)
• Do not drink large amounts of caffeine before the
  test
• Do not eat lots of sugar before the test
• Do not talk with other students, about the test,
  before or after(this can give you unwanted
  anxiety)

9
True/False Tests

• Most tests have more true answers than false (If
  you have no idea, assume the answer is true)
• Read the question thoroughlylook for any words
  that may make the answer false.
• Look for statements which use extreme modifiers
  like best, always, none, all, never,
  certainly, everybody, nothing. Usually,
  these statements are false.
• Look for statements which use qualifiers like
  seldom, often, may, unlikely, many,
  probably, a majority, and sometimes.
  Usually, these statements are true.
• Watch out for use of double negatives. Example
  not uncommon means common.

10
Multiple Choice Tests

• Know how much time is available for completion of
  the exam.
• Read the entire question each answer before
  selecting a response.
• Answer the easiest questions first.
• Mark out which statements you KNOW are incorrect.
• Consider each option as a true/false statement
  (this will help you narrow down the correct
  answer).
• If there are numbers in the choices-it is best to
  eliminate the highest and the lowest ones.
• Watch out for use of double negatives. Example
  not uncommon means common.
• If two choices are complete opposites, then one
  of these is the correct answer.

11
Multiple Choice Tests continued

• Always guess if you are not penalized for
  incorrect answers.
• Do not guess if you are penalized for incorrect
  answers.
• Look for other clues on the exam which could help
  you decide the correct answers to other
  questions.
• Look for answers which use language like your
  teacher or textbook.
• Do not change your first response unless you are
  sure it is incorrect.
• When you have no idea which option is correct-
  choose the one that caught your eye first.
• Review your answers.

12
Essay Tests

• It is a good idea to make up your own practice
  essay questions before your exam
• At the exam
• First-read all the questions
• Manage your time well-decide how many minutes you
  can answer each question
• Answer easiest question first
• Write down any main points, facts or key terms
  you know about the answer
• Your answer should reflect convey your
  knowledge to the teacher
• Your answer should inform persuade

13
Essay Tests continued

• Look for a direction word (this word tells you
  what to write in your answer)
• Direction words most frequently used
• Analyze
• Compare
• Contrast
• Define
• Describe
• Diagram
• Evaluate
• Explain
• Interpret
• Justify
• List
• Outline
• Summarize
• Always proof-read your answers. Look for
  correct sentence structure, correct punctuation
  and misspelled words

14
Matching Tests

• Read items in BOTH columns first (do not choose
  the first answer you think is correct because
  there may be a better answer)
• Answer the items you know first
• Begin matching the item which contains the most
  information-then match it to the option with less
  information
• Recheck your answers

15
Short Answer Tests

• These require you to provide a definition or a
  short description
• To study for this type of test, flash cards can
  be very beneficial
• Do not leave an answer blank. Guess something!
• These tests will ask you to
• Define
• Identify
• List
• Name

Click here to return to flash card slide
16
After the Test

• Make sure you review all your answers
• Answer any questions you left blank
• If your final is comprehensive, take note of what
  you missed on previous tests and concentrate on
  those areas
• Remember, your tests grades contribute to your
  final grades, your graduation, and your
  SUCCESS