Test Preparation

“Make preparations in advance.You never have trouble if you are prepared

for it.”~ Theodore Roosevelt

Coping with Test Anxiety

What Causes Test Anxiety?Lack of preparation as indicated by:– cramming the night before the exam.– poor time management. – failure to organize text information.– poor study habits.

Worrying about the following:– past performance on exams.

how friends and other students are doing.the negative consequences of failure.

Coping with Test Anxiety

Confronting and Handling Test Anxiety

– Don't think about fear; just think about what you have to do.

– Stay relevant.

– Relax; you're in control.

– Take a slow, deep breath.

– Keep the focus on the present; what is it you have to do?

– Don't try to eliminate fear totally; just keep it manageable.

You can convince yourself to do it. You can reason your fear away.

– It's not the worst thing that can happen.

– Do something that will prevent you from thinking about fear.

Planning a Study Strategy

“Failing to plan is planning to fail.”

~Alan Lakein

Tips for Test Taking

Long Term Prep:– Review old tests– Review notes daily after class– Keep up with the reading– Join a study group

Tips for Test Taking

Short Term Prep:– One week before the test:

• Prepare a study schedule• Put the material into a useful study tool

– Day Before:• Have a brief review session• Get eight hours of sleep

– Morning of test:Eat a well-balanced breakfast (Stay away from caffeine and sugar)

Tips for Test Taking

Taking the Test:– Arrive early for tests and be prepared.– Read the directions carefully– Answer questions in a strategic order

• First easy questions• Then difficult questions

– Review your test before turning it in.

Multiple Choice Test

1. Circle or underline important words in the item.2. Read all the answer choices before selecting one.3. Cross out answer choices you are certain are not correct.4. Look for hints about the correct answer choice in other items on the test.5. Do not change your initial answer unless you are sure another answer is

correct.6. Choose “all of the above” if you are CERTAIN all other answer choices in the

item are correct.7. Choose “none of the above” if you are CERTAIN all other answer choices in

the term are incorrect

Essay Exams

Read through the examStart with a prompt you are comfortable with.List main ideasCreate a rough outlineIf you are stuck, move on.

Dealing with Difficult Questions

Eliminate options you know to be incorrect

Question options that are totally unfamiliar to you ･Question options that contain negative or absolute words.

"Look alike options"probably one is correct; choose the best but eliminate choices that mean basically the same thing, and thus cancel each other out.

Echo options:If two options are opposite each other, chances are one of them is correct ･Favor options that contain qualifiersThe result is longer, more inclusive items that better fill the role of the answer.

GOOD LUCK!

Essay Exams