Tutors' Guide to Test Taking
- 1. The Academic Resource Center Tutors’ Guide to Test Taking Simple Study Skills and Strategies
- 2. Use Your Textbook Annotate: highlight, underline, draw circles or stars, write questions or comments in the margins – anything that keeps you involved with the text. When you annotate, reading becomes an active, not passive experience, and it’s easier to stay awake!
- 3. Use Your Annotations Turn your annotations into notes by transferring highlighted info from your textbook to a study sheet. If you’ve made good annotations, you’ve actually condensed the text down to just a few pages.
- 4. Use Index Cards To memorize key words and terms, write them on one side of an index card, then write the definition and an example on the other side. Shuffle them like a deck of cards to make sure you know them in any order. Carry your cards with you – you can practice this study strategy in line at the grocery store!
- 5. Use Your Senses Writing – whether on a keyboard or a piece of paper – engages your sense of sight and touch in relation to the study material. If you read the notes out loud, you engage your sense of hearing, as well. Preparing yourself for a test also involves a 6th sense that produces feelings of confidence, pride, dread, or fear. Once addressed, these feelings are easier to deal with.
- 6. Use Time Management Before you begin the test, quickly look over it and estimate the time it will take to complete each section. Budget your time accordingly. Answer questions you’re sure of first – that leaves you more time to work on the questions you’re not sure of.
- 7. Multiple Choice Tests Typically one choice is obviously wrong and can be eliminated. Often other choices will differ only by a word or two – read carefully and completely. With two choices left, you have a 50% chance of getting it right!
- 8. Fill in the Blank Tests If there is a word bank, cross out each word as you use it. Pay attention to articles (a, an, the) for clues about the correct answer. Unless your teacher says otherwise, never leave a question blank – you may get partial credit if you are close to the right answer.
- 9. Essay Tests Circle key words and number different parts of the question to insure that you’re providing the best answer possible. Even if time is an issue, always make an outline of your answer – it will keep you on track and serve as a reminder of your discussion points.
- 10. Review Your Answers Research shows that your “first instinct” or “gut response” to a question is not more likely to be correct than one you have carefully considered. As with real life decisions, contemplation can improve outcomes.
- 11. Test Accommodations If you’ve been diagnosed with test anxiety or other learning difficulties, contact Dr. Jenny Joczik, Accessibility Services Program Coordinator(vjoczik@marybaldwin.edu, x7250). You may be eligible for a low-distraction testing area, extended time for test taking, or other appropriate accommodation.
- 12. Visit the Center for Student Success We offer tutoring in every subject, as well as a Math lab and a Writing Center. Appointments are easy to make online, and walk-ins are welcome. For more information, contact Dr. Jenny Joczik, Director of the Academic Resource Center: Office 116A, The Center for Student Success Grafton Library vjoczik@marybaldwin.edu / 540-887-7250