Student's Question of the Week
Q: How do I prepare for tests? Are there any tips for test taking?
A:
Test
Preparation
Summary Sheets
Review,
highlight and consolidate essential information from class and text notes
onto summary sheets using the Cornell
method. The details on the right side of the sheets are covered so you
can easily test yourself by answering the questions or explaining the main
ideas in the left-hand column. Study is continued until you do not need to
look back at the details to confirm your answer.
Memory Aids
Next,
you create mnemonic devices at this stage for those items that still need
to be committed to memory. (See Cliffs' Memory Power for Exams by Dr.
William Browning for instruction on how to make and use mnemonic devices.)
Practice Test Questions
When
possible, devise test questions at this stage, and try to answer them as fully
as possible.
Test
Taking
Calmness and Concentration
To
show your knowledge, you must have a certain testwiseness that involves concentration
and calmness. These are more readily available if the first three steps on
the Study Pyramid are completed (please see diagram above); however, self-talk
strategies can be used along with breathing exercises to deal with test anxiety
if necessary. More strategies for developing the ability to be calm and to
concentrate at will, which includes during tests, are available here.
Memory Aids
Writing
down mnemonic devices on fresh scratch paper once you are in the test setting
will help you to remember essential key words.
Questions and Directions
Read
the test questions carefully, analyze the language in phrases, and thoughtfully
reflect upon your answers before answering to improve the quality of responses.
On
objective type tests, read the sentence stem and bring to mind the best answer
from your study, then read the possible answers, and choose the one that most
closely matches your first thought.
Essays
should be written out only after organizing ideas and information using an
outline or diagram form. This is where a judgment must be made about how much
of what to include to produce the best possible answer; avoid both the minimalist
"get by" approach and the "pad the answer" technique.
Use the language of the course in your answer. Try to intelligently include
fresh ideas, perspectives and important information that may interest the
reader by doing your own thinking on the issue and by drawing out relevant
connections.
Time
Keep
an eye on the time in order to be able to reread your answer and make final
changes.
Follow Up
Any student who continues to have difficulties at any stage listed in the Study Pyramid should see a tutor, counselor or specialist.