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Keys to Success Series Testing Strategies & Test Anxiety "No single test score can be considered a definitive measure of a student's knowledge.“ National Research Council Report, High Stakes

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Page 1: Keys to Success Series - Crafton Hills College/media/Files/SBCCD/CHC...Keys to Success Series Testing Strategies & Test Anxiety "No single test score can be considered a definitive

Keys to Success SeriesTesting Strategies

& Test Anxiety

"No single test score can be considered a definitive measure of a student's knowledge.“

National Research Council Report, High Stakes

Page 2: Keys to Success Series - Crafton Hills College/media/Files/SBCCD/CHC...Keys to Success Series Testing Strategies & Test Anxiety "No single test score can be considered a definitive

Mid-Term & Final Exam week

Start studying a little bit each day now!Spaced studying is better than massed

Page 3: Keys to Success Series - Crafton Hills College/media/Files/SBCCD/CHC...Keys to Success Series Testing Strategies & Test Anxiety "No single test score can be considered a definitive

Study, Study, Study !!!!!

There is a positive correlation between amount of time spent studying and test scores.

Increase study time --- Increase test score

Page 4: Keys to Success Series - Crafton Hills College/media/Files/SBCCD/CHC...Keys to Success Series Testing Strategies & Test Anxiety "No single test score can be considered a definitive

Study Skills - RecapMaintain a regular sleep and eating scheduleKeep stress to a minimum

Put off big decisions and changesPrioritize – what is coming up next?Have a good study place

Supplies, lighting, free of distractions

Page 5: Keys to Success Series - Crafton Hills College/media/Files/SBCCD/CHC...Keys to Success Series Testing Strategies & Test Anxiety "No single test score can be considered a definitive

Strategies for Test AnxietyBeing well prepared for the test is the BEST way to reduce test anxietySpace out studyingMaintain a positive attitude while studying and taking the testGet a good nights sleep the night beforeEat breakfast and/or right before test

Page 6: Keys to Success Series - Crafton Hills College/media/Files/SBCCD/CHC...Keys to Success Series Testing Strategies & Test Anxiety "No single test score can be considered a definitive

Testing Strategies/AnxietyAllow extra time and arrive to class early on test dayBring the supplies you needReview the entire test before you start

How many questions, what type, pace yourself for time limits

Jot down your thoughts in the margins or on the back of the test.

Page 7: Keys to Success Series - Crafton Hills College/media/Files/SBCCD/CHC...Keys to Success Series Testing Strategies & Test Anxiety "No single test score can be considered a definitive

Testing Strategies/Anxiety

Carefully read the directionsAnswer easy questions first – skip questions you do not know to come back toAnswer all the questionsLook for key words and phrasesLook elsewhere on the test for answers

A different section

Page 8: Keys to Success Series - Crafton Hills College/media/Files/SBCCD/CHC...Keys to Success Series Testing Strategies & Test Anxiety "No single test score can be considered a definitive

Test Strategies/AnxietyStay focused –-- do not let your mind wanderDo not worry about how fast everyone else finishesIf you have time, go back and check your work

Make sure you answered all the questionsMake sure your first and last name are on the test

Page 9: Keys to Success Series - Crafton Hills College/media/Files/SBCCD/CHC...Keys to Success Series Testing Strategies & Test Anxiety "No single test score can be considered a definitive

Strategies for Test AnxietyGet help ahead of time --- Tutoring-D08/B19During the test --- if you feel yourself starting to panic:

Take several deep breathesCollect your thoughtsStay focused on finishingRemind yourself of the worse case scenario

Failing an exam does not mean you will fail the classFailing a class does not mean that you will fail out of college or that you are a failure –

Remember being a student is just one role in your life, not your whole life!

Page 10: Keys to Success Series - Crafton Hills College/media/Files/SBCCD/CHC...Keys to Success Series Testing Strategies & Test Anxiety "No single test score can be considered a definitive

If you must cram…some techniquesEat food --- avoid sugar and caffeine ---may make you too hyper to studyFocus on main ideas and learn key formulas --- do not try to memorize allWrite down key points and ideas and study from what you wroteStudy from past tests, review questions, homework, review sheetsTake at least a 5 minute break on the hourTry to get at least 3 hours of sleepDo not forget to set an alarm and a back up alarm!

Page 11: Keys to Success Series - Crafton Hills College/media/Files/SBCCD/CHC...Keys to Success Series Testing Strategies & Test Anxiety "No single test score can be considered a definitive

Tips for True/False Tests

Usually more true answers than falseGuess – you have a 50% chanceRead each statement carefully

Never, always, and every mean the statement must be true all the time – these are usually false answersUsually, sometimes, and generally mean the statement can be true or false depending on the circumstance – these are usually true answers

If any part of the statement is false, then the entire statement is false.

Page 12: Keys to Success Series - Crafton Hills College/media/Files/SBCCD/CHC...Keys to Success Series Testing Strategies & Test Anxiety "No single test score can be considered a definitive

Tips for Multiple Choice TestsRead the question before looking at the answer choices – try to come up with the answer in your head before looking at the choicesEliminate answers you know are not rightIf two answers seem right, pick the best answerGo with your first responseIf a choice is None of the above look for a true statement, or two false statementsIf a choice is All of the above look for a false statement, or two true statements

Page 13: Keys to Success Series - Crafton Hills College/media/Files/SBCCD/CHC...Keys to Success Series Testing Strategies & Test Anxiety "No single test score can be considered a definitive

Tips for Short Answer Tests

Study with flash cardsStudy what the Instructor emphasizes in classDo not leave an answer blank –guess or at least write down a thoughtCome back to questions you do not know. Make sure you answer everything the question asks for

Page 14: Keys to Success Series - Crafton Hills College/media/Files/SBCCD/CHC...Keys to Success Series Testing Strategies & Test Anxiety "No single test score can be considered a definitive

Tips for Essay TestsRead the directions carefully --- make sure you know if you are to answer all the essays or only a certain numberWrite down everything the essay asks and more, get as detailed as you can without rambling or repeatingIf the question asks for facts, do not include opinion and vice versusWrite as neatly as possible, Make an outlineDon’t write long Intros and conclusions, spend time answering the questionFocus on one main idea per paragraphBudget your time --- proofread and correct errors if possible

Page 15: Keys to Success Series - Crafton Hills College/media/Files/SBCCD/CHC...Keys to Success Series Testing Strategies & Test Anxiety "No single test score can be considered a definitive

Tips for Math TestsPractice, Practice, Practice --- Repetition is keyMake a sheet of formulas and memorize the formulas on the sheetWhen you get the exam, write down formulas in the marginRead the directions carefullyShow all your workMake sure you copied down the problem correctlyCheck your work if time permits

Page 16: Keys to Success Series - Crafton Hills College/media/Files/SBCCD/CHC...Keys to Success Series Testing Strategies & Test Anxiety "No single test score can be considered a definitive

Tips for Open Book Tests Beware! Spend an equal or greater time studying for an open book test as you would a closed book - the open book test will likely be harderFamiliarize yourself with the book and any materialsHighlight important points and use post it notes Bring everything you are allowed to use – handouts notes, etc. Answer the questions you know off the top of your head first, then go back and answer the questions you need to look up

Page 17: Keys to Success Series - Crafton Hills College/media/Files/SBCCD/CHC...Keys to Success Series Testing Strategies & Test Anxiety "No single test score can be considered a definitive

Good Luck on Exams!

Questions? Comments?What strategy or tip will you use on your next exam?