preparing for and writing exams
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Student Success Workshop :. Preparing for and Writing Exams. DO YOU NEED HELP WITH ACADEMIC SKILLS? • MATH • WRITING •. Come see Mary Trussler , Academic Skills Coordinator. Take advantage of these FREE Services!. Get helpful tips on: • Study Skills • Test Writing - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Preparing for and Writing Exams
Student Success Workshop:
Come see Mary Trussler, Academic Skills Coordinator
OFFICE HOURS (starting September 17th)Monday 9am-2pmTuesday 4:30pm-8:30pmWednesday 10am-3pm
CONTACT INFORoom [email protected](705)645-2927 Ext. 7209
DO YOU NEED HELP WITH ACADEMIC SKILLS?• MATH • WRITING •
Get helpful tips on: • Study Skills • Test Writing• Exam Preparation• Coping with Stress • Time Management
Take advantage of these FREE Services!
During this Workshop we will explore:1. Test Preparation2. Test Taking3. Coping with Test Anxiety
1. Test preparationContentMaterial and suppliesPhysicalMental
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Quality Test PreparationGo to classListen actively while in classTake good notes in classRead textbook activelyCreate good textbook notesCombine your class and text notes
into:Condensed notes (e.g. cue cards) In your own wordsPictures and graphs
Study = practice test
Continuous processPreview and readActive listeningReviewStudy sessions
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Continuous preparation
This process should not be underestimated!
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Learning stylesVisual?Auditory?Kinesthetic?
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Cramming
Test PreparationDon’t cram!Rule of thumb:
½ to 1 hr of studying for every 1% of test
e.g. 30% test = 15-30 hrs of studyBest memory?
Frequent but short study sessions
2. Test Time!
Quick Quiz1. There were 4 MC questions. How much was
each MC question worth?
2. There were 2 short answer questions.a) Did you have to answer both questions?b) How much was each short answer question worth?
Stat:Only 20% will read and follow test directions!
Multiple Choice Questions1. Biology is:
a) A type of rockb) Is where animals are keptc) Is the study of scienced) Is the study of lifee) None of the abovef) All of the above
Multiple Choice Questions1. Biology is:
A type of scienceStudy animals, plants, cells
Multiple Choice Questions1. Biology is:
a) A type of rockb) Is where animals are keptc) Is the study of scienced) Is the study of lifee) None of the abovef) All of the above
Multiple Choice Questions1. Biology is:
a) A type of rockb) Is where animals are keptc) Is the study of scienced) Is the study of lifee) None of the abovef) All of the above
Stuck? A) Don’t guess! B) Put a symbol C) Move on
2. Nipissing’s mascot is a:
Lumberjack - type fellow on the website
Multiple Choice Questions2. Conestoga’s mascot is a:
a) Badgerb) Bearc) Condord) Cougare) None of the above
Multiple Choice Questions3. Which of the following is not a useful study
tip when preparing for tests:
Multiple Choice Questions3. Which of the following is not a useful study
tip when preparing for tests:a) Taking breaks during your study sessionsb) Planning your reading and studying schedule
well ahead of the test datec) Waiting until the last minute to cram so that
you don’t forget anything you studied from a long time ago
d) Practicing frequently over time for short durations
DO
DO
DONOT
Multiple Choice Questions4. You may have one of the following learning
styles:
Which one do I have?But it says styles with an ‘s’?Hmmm…the question says may?What does this question ask?
Think like the instructor!
Multiple Choice Questions4. You may have one of the following learning
styles:a) Auditoryb) Visualc) Kinestheticd) All of the abovee) None of the above
Multiple Choice Questions1. Biology is:
a) A type of rockb) Is where animals are keptc) Is the study of scienced) Is the study of lifee) None of the abovef) All of the above
Brainstorm: Science Bio Chem
Physics
Strategies for Multiple Choice
1. Cover the answer choices2. Read Q carefully3. Highlight important words (watch
for qualifiers: may, some, none, all)4. Rephrase Q in your own words5. Predict possible answers6. Check format of answers7. Look at EACH option in order
slowly8. Eliminate incorrect answers9. ID correct answer10.If can’t answer, put a symbol and
come back later11.Don’t leave any answer blank!
Short and Long AnswerTests: comprehension and applicationExplain why and how your
argument supports your answerInclude the right number (look at
how much Q is worth) of specific details (examples and terminology) to support your answer
Answer all parts of the question (watch for ‘and’)
Short Answer QuestionCompare and contrast multiple choice and
short-answer test questions from the instructor’s perspective. (4 marks)
Short Answer QuestionCompare and contrast multiple choice and
short-answer test questions from the instructor’s perspective. (4 marks)
Compare = similaritiesContrast = differencesInstructors perspective = why would an
instructor choose to use MC questions on a test? Why use short-answer questions?
Short Answer QuestionCompare and contrast multiple choice and
short-answer test questions from the instructor’s perspective. (4 marks)
MC Questions SA Questions
Compare (similarities)
*Tests student knowledge
*Tests student knowledge
Contrast(differences)
*Tests lower-level understanding (e.g. cued recall)
*Easier to mark
*Tests deeper level understanding and comprehension (e.g. analysis & application)*More difficult and time-consuming to mark
Essay/short answer strategy
ReadUnderline, highlightKey wordsPlan an outlineVocabularyStandard formatProofread
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About open book examsNot easyPrepare Up close and personalOrganization
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Open book preparationCoding systemIndexChapter
summariesOverview or mind
maps
Concise notesSticky notesVocabulary listsCommentsIndex cards
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Open book strategyReviewOrderReadOutlineMove on
Concise answersQuotationsContentBuzzwordsBreathe deeply
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General Test-Taking StrategiesPut your name on all pages of the testMemory dumpPreview your test
# pages, # Qs, Q typesRead and follow directions!Allot time by weight of questions Read each Q carefully
Watch for qualifiers (always, not, none, some)
Underline key words; defineRephrase Q in your own words
3.Nervous About Exams?
The major problem …negative effect on our ability to
think
“going blank” or “freezing” block thought processes
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3 StrategiesChange Your ThinkingRelaxation TechniquesEffective Study Techniques
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We all talk to ourselves
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How could you change this
statement? I have to get a 70 on this exam.
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How does this sound?
I know that I’ve done my best to study. If I put too much pressure on myself it can backfire so, as much as I want a 70, all I can do is my best.
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Relaxation TechniquesDrink waterJump-start your brainPolarize your breathingThe Big Rocks
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Effective Study Techniques
Study EarlyBe PreparedDeal with DistractionsTest Taking Strategy
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Test Taking StrategiesPrepare• Get enough sleep • Eat well
Protein: eggs, bacon, peanut butter, cheese, yogurt, tofu
• Be on TIME!• Answer questions that you knowBreathing and relaxation exercisesDo your best!
Come see Mary Trussler, Academic Skills Coordinator
OFFICE HOURS (starting September 17th)Monday 9am-2pmTuesday 4:30pm-8:30pmWednesday 10am-3pm
CONTACT INFORoom [email protected](705)645-2927 Ext. 7209
DO YOU NEED HELP WITH ACADEMIC SKILLS?• MATH • WRITING •
Get helpful tips on: • Study Skills • Test Writing• Exam Preparation• Coping with Stress • Time Management
Take advantage of these FREE Services!
Wise words …“Confidence
comes from being prepared”.
John Wooden
“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it”. Lou Holtz
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