Test Your Best: Quiz & Exam Tips

Presentation By: Jennifer J. Hemker, Academic Coach

Bellevue College

Be Prepared…

Physically

Emotionally

Intellectually

The Basics Get a good night sleep (Don’t stay up too late the night

prior)

Eat a healthy breakfast (1 bowl of Cheerios is not good

enough)

Limit caffeine prior to taking a quiz or exam

Limit stress

Be Prepared Physically

Be Prepared Physically

Limiting Stress

Relax

Meditate, pray, take deep breaths

Listen to music right before the test (something you like)

Exercise (go for a run or do yoga) before a test if possible

Avoid situations or people that can trigger unnecessary anxiety

Think positive thoughts (I am going to ace this quiz!), write them down

Think of a happy place or calming picture in your head

Clear all negative thoughts from your head (at least temporarily)

Do the easy questions 1st (it will bulk up your confidence)

Stay in a good place, do not be discouraged

You will be the most pleased with your performance if you do your best!

Be Prepared Mentally

Achieving a Positive State of Mind

Grit

What to Study

Be Prepared Intellectually

Focus on major concepts, themes, ideas of the chapter (if taking a

quiz) and do the same for the entire course (if taking an exam)

Read all required material

Review notes

Do NOT study what you already know

Review previous quizzes and exams

Be Prepared Intellectually

The Basics

AWARENESS

How many questions are on the quiz/exam?How much time will there be to complete the quiz/exam?

Will the quiz/exam be timed?

What type of questions will be on the quiz/exam? Multiple choice, True/False, Essay?

How many points is the quiz/exam worth total? Each question?

If the quiz/exam is on computer canyou skip answers or go back?

Quiz/Exam Prep

Arrive to class early or block off a significant amount of

uninterrupted time if taking a quiz/exam online

Clear a space

Put your cell phone away (make sure it is on vibrate or silent)

Try to limit distractions

Have notes, textbook, and/or course materials easily accessible if

instructor allows for such resources to be used

Be Prepared Intellectually

Taking a Quiz/Exam

Keep calm (take deep breaths)

Keep an eye on time

Complete the easiest questions first

Complete the questions that have the highest point

value first

Do not stress if you come across an unfamiliar question – apply your knowledge

Answering Multiple Choice Questions

Answer the easy questions first

Skip difficult questions (if possible) and revisit them

Use the “Cover-Up” method

Eliminate options that are obvious wrong answers

Pay special attention to words such as: always, never, only,

not, except, and but.

Try making the options into True/False statements

Go with your first choice

Answering True/False Questions

Less definite terms such as: often, frequently, sometimes, should tend to be TRUE

When in doubt, majority of statements are TRUE

FALSE Verify that every part of the statement is true, especially if it is a long statement. If any part seems false than most likely it is FALSE Look for qualifiers and

absolute terms: never, always, only = FALSE

TRUE ~ or ~

Remember that instructors can and do make mistakes

Answering Essay Questions

Identify key words in the question

Take a few minutes to outline

Follow the outline

Support your opinion or statements

Summarize

Make sure paragraphs are cohesive and concise