TEST TAKING TIPS OGT PREP MATH

2008
When you take a test,
you are demonstrating your ability to understand course material or perform certain tasks.
Successful test taking avoids carelessness.
Examples of objective tests are true-false, multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank.
Examples of subjective texts are short answer, essay, or oral exams
NB: If you have any doubts about the fairness of tests,
or of the ability of tests to measure your performance,
please see your academic counseling service.
These suggestions may help you avoid careless errors!
Prepare:

Analyze your past test results

Each test can further prepare you for the next test.
Use your tests to review when studying for final exams
Arrive early for tests
Bring all the materials you will need such as pencils and pens, a calculator, a
dictionary, and a watch.
This helps you focus on the task at hand
Be comfortable but alert
Choose a good spot and make sure you have enough room to work, maintain
comfortable posture but don't "slouch"
Stay relaxed and confident
Remind yourself that you are well-prepared and are going to do well. If you find
yourself anxious, take several slow, deep breaths to relax
Don't talk about the test to other students just before it; anxiety is contagious

Test Taking:

Read the directions carefully

This may be obvious, but it will help you avoid careless errors
If there is time, quickly look through the test for an overview
Note key terms, jot down brief notes
Answer questions in a strategic order:
1. First easy questions
to build confidence, score points, and mentally orient yourself to vocabulary,
concepts, and your studies (it may help you make associations with more
difficult questions)
2. Then difficult questions or those with the most point value
With objective tests, first eliminate those answers you know to be wrong, or
are likely to be wrong, don't seem to fit, or where two options are so similar
as to be both incorrect
With essay/subjective questions, broadly outline your answer and sequence
the order of your points

TEST TAKING TIPS OGT PREP MATH

2008

Review:
Resist the urge to leave as soon as you have completed all the items
Review your test to make sure that you have answered all questions, not mis-marked
the answer sheet, or made some other simple mistake
Proofread your writing for spelling, grammar, punctuation, decimal points, etc.
Change answers to questions if you originally misread them
or if you have encountered information elsewhere in the test that indicates that your
first choice is incorrect

Decide on and adopt study strategies that worked best for you
Identify those that didn't work well and replace them.

Test-Taking Strategies
Before the Test
1. Stay up-to-date on assignments. Learn material and review as you go along.
2. Make sure you understand the information as you are learning it. That way, you won't
have to "re-learn" it OR have to "cram" a great deal of information at one time.
3. Read and study information in meaningful chunks (by chapters or units) so that you'll be
able to "file" and "retrieve" information easily.
4. At the end of each chapter or unit, identify the information that was most important.
Make up "flash cards" on this information that you can easily carry and use for study on
a regular basis.
5. Analyze past tests to determine how you can improve test results.
6. Get the big picture. Ask the instructor about the test. Find out what information will be
stressed and the kinds of questions that will be asked. Then go over your text and
lecture notes to develop a study strategy. Map or outline the course contents if you
haven't done so previously.
7. Before a test or exam, break study sessions into manageable time segments and
meaningful units. You'll remember more if you study for short periods of time (45
minutes to 1 hour) and over a longer period of time (1-2 weeks) than if you cram all
your study into a "binge" session the night before the test.
8. Practice answering essay questions BEFORE the test. Use cognitive questions at all
levels to assure learning and ability to answer essay questions. For example: How
would you describe, compare/contrast, predict, classify, apply, evaluate, prioritize, etc?
9. Use mnemonic techniques to memorize lists, definitions, and other specific kinds of
information.
10. Form a study group with other students in your class to discuss and quiz each other on
important material. This will add other perspectives and help to complete your study
if you tend to be either a detailed or big-picture learner.
11. Maintain healthy living habits. Get a good nights sleep before the test.

TEST TAKING TIPS OGT PREP MATH

2008
During the Test
1. Get to the test site early so you can select a seat, organize your materials, and get relaxed.
Be prepared with pencils, paper, calculator, books (if appropriate), etc.
2. Get the big picture. Survey the entire test before you answer any questions. This will
help you to get an overview of what's expected and to strategize how you will take the
test.
3. Take a few deep breaths and to relax tense muscles. Repeat throughout the test. This
process will help you to stay relaxed and to make more energy available for
remembering, thinking, and writing.
4. Read directions carefully. Ask questions if you don't understand or need clarification.
5. Do a quick "mind dump" of information you don't want to forget. Write it down on scrap
paper or in the margin.
6. Answer the easiest questions first, to help yourself calm down. Matching questions are
often good to start with because they provide a reminder of important terms and
definitions.
7. Use good strategies for answering multiple choice and other objective questions.

Look for the central idea of each question. What is the main point?

Statements that begin with always, never, none, except, most, or leastare
probably NOT the answer . Underline these or other key words if you are
allowed to write on the test paper.

Try to supply your own answer before choosing an alternative listed on the test.

Mark an answer for 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 two choices are opposites, choose one of them.
The most general alternative is usually the right answer.
8. 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. Underline key words
like define, compare, explain, etc.

Think before you write. Remember, a good answer:

Starts with a direct response to the question.
Mentions the topics or areas described in the question.
Provides specific as well as general information.
Uses the technical vocabulary of the course.

Then map or 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.

Proofread your essay. Check for grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. This often
adds points!
9. When problem solving, ask yourself:

What am I being asked to find?

What do I need to know in order to find the answer?

TEST TAKING TIPS OGT PREP MATH

2008

What information has been provided that will help me to find the answer?
How can I break the problem down into parts? What steps should I follow to
solve the problem?

Does the answer make sense? Does it cover the whole problem?
10. Keep an eye on the clock. Make sure you'll have time to complete the test sections with
the highest value, if not the entire test.
After the Test
When you receive your test paper, go over it to determine areas of strength and weakness in
your test-taking skills. If you have done poorly, learn from your mistakes! Always analyze
your tests to determine how you can improve future test results.
Reducing Test Anxiety

Keep a positive attitude. Decide to do your best and focus on the

material you know.

Concentrate on the test. Don't worry about your ability, the

behavior of other people, the number of questions, or even short
memory lapses.

Pay close attention to one question at a time. This kind of

concentration reduces anxiety.

Relax as much as you can. If you're too nervous to think or read

carefully, try to slow down physically. Take several slow, deep
breaths. Then start to work.

Before You Turn in Your Test

TEST TAKING TIPS OGT PREP MATH

2008

Fight the urge to leave as soon as you have finished. It's

natural, but it can hurt your grade.

Review the test questions and your answers to them.

Make any changes you think are important, but don't
change your answers unless you have a good reason to
do so.

Think if any of the later questions gave you information

that might clear up things you weren't sure about.

Review your own performance on the test. If you take a

few notes on your test-taking skills, you'll be able to
perform better on future tests.

Ask yourself:
o Did I use my time well?
o What was asked that I didn't expect?
o How can I predict better for the next test?
o What part of the test was most difficult? Why?

Did questions come more from readings or from

lectures?
What should I do differently in preparing for the
next test?
Guidelines for Answering Multiple-choice Questions
o

1.

2.

Formulate your own answer before reading the options.

o Focus on finding an answer without the help of the alternatives.
o This process will increase your concentration.
o Doing this will help you exercise your memory.
Eliminate unlikely answers first.
o Eliminating two alternatives quickly may increase your probability to 50/50 or better.
o Use the true-false methods described earlier and find the false alternative.

3.

Select numbered answers from the middle range, not the extremes.
o For example, if the height of a mountain is requested, eliminate 20,000 feet (high),
and 3,000 feet (low). Then choose between 8,000 feet and 11,000 feet.

4.

Select answers that are longer and more descriptive.

o Longer (true) answers stand out and contain more detail.
o Shorter (false) answers are created quickly as throw aways.
o Descriptive detail is given to help you identify the truth.

5.

Similar answers give you a clue! One of them is correct, the other is disguised.

TEST TAKING TIPS OGT PREP MATH

2008
6.

Watch out for "NOT TRUE?"

o Remember to reverse your procedure and eliminate truth.
o Use the true-false methods described earlier and find the false alternative.

Special Techniques for Math and Science Tests

1. Translate problems in English. Putting problems into words aids your
understanding. When you study equations and formulas, put those into words too.
The words help you see a variety of applications for each formula.
2. Perform opposite operations. If a problem involves multiplication, check your work
by dividing; add, subtract; factor, multiply; square root, square; differentiate,
integrate.
3. Use time drills. Practice working problems fast. Time yourself. Exchange problems
with a friend and time each other. You can also do this in a study group.
4. Analyze before you compute. Set up the problem before you begin to solve it. When
a problem is worth a lot of points, read it twice, slowly. Analyze it carefully. When
you take time to analyze a problem you can often see ways to take computational
shortcuts.
5. Make a picture. Draw a clear picture or a diagram if you are stuck. Sometimes a
visual representation will clear a blocked mind.
6. Estimate first. Estimation is a good way to double-check your work. Doing this first
can help you notice if your computations go awry, and then you can correct the error
quickly.
7. Check your work systematically. When you check your work, ask yourself: Did I
read the problem correctly? Did I use the correct formula or equation? Is my
arithmetic correct? Is my answer in the proper form? Avoid the temptation to change
an answer in the last few minutes-unless you're sure the answer is wrong. In the lastminute rush to finish the test, it's easier to choose the wrong answer.
8. Review formulas. Right before the test, review any formulas you'll need to use. Then
write them on the margin of the test or on the back of the test paper.

TEST TAKING TIPS OGT PREP MATH

2008

Taking Math Exams

1. Be prepared at exam and on time.
2. Write down any formulas you'll need to remember.
3. Read instructions carefully.
4. Skim test and do those questions you know immediately.
5. Pace yourself so you have time to consider all questions.
6. Do problems you can do but take more time.
7. Go back and work on hard problems.

Be systematic

Find relevant information

Break into smaller parts

Don't panic

Don't write a novel

8. If you have no idea where to start.

Re-read question

Check to see if similar to any other problems

Re-read formulas

TEST TAKING TIPS OGT PREP MATH

2008

List what is known, what you need to find, and what is needed to find the
answer.

9. Allow time to check problems

10. Look out for stupid errors.
After Receiving the Test:

Immediately look up questions that caused problems.

Go over test and correct missed problems.

Check with instructor if you can not figure out why the problem was wrong