GUST 1270 College and Career Planning CHAPTER NINE

GUST 1270 College and Career Planning CHAPTER NINE ASSESS: Developing Successful Test-Taking Tactics That Work for You

UNIT 9 OBJECTIVES This chapter can help you: l l l Identify the causes of test anxiety Reduce test anxiety Learn to predict test questions Learn the types of test responses Develop test-taking strategies for various types of tests Understand academic and personal integrity

WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS TESTING? Positive I’ve studied and I’m ready l I used study techniques l I’ve learned a lot! l Everyone doesn’t cheat!!!!!! l Negative I didn’t know what to study l I crammed l I am going to fail! l

REDUCING TEST ANXIETY l l l l Have an “I can” attitude Be positive and control self-talk Remind yourself you are prepared Over learn the material Chew gum or candy during the test Go to bed early Eat a healthy meal beforehand Arrive early

REDUCING TEST ANXIETY (cont’d. ) Relax and breathe Come prepared with materials Read the entire test first Listen to professor’s instructions Watch your time Answer the ones you know first Remember your first response is usually best Find out information about the test beforehand from professor l Seeing a test as a measure of your success as a student is not a sign of test anxiety. l l l l

REDUCING TEST ANXIETY (cont’d. ) l l l l Know what is covered on test Ask for a study sheet Know the rules of the test Attend the review session Know the test’s value Ask about extra credit or bonus points Jot down mnemonics on test Never look at another student’s test

QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT TESTING l l l l What type of questions will be on the test? How long is the test? Is there a time limit on the test? Will there be any special instructions? Is there a study sheet? Will there be a review session? What is the grade value of the test? What does the test cover?

THREE TYPES OF TESTING RESPONSES l. QUICK TIME Response l. LAG TIME Response l. NO Response

Responses to Test Questions Your response is a quick-time response when you read a question and know the answer immediately. l Your response is a lag-time response when you read a question and the answer does not come to you immediately. l No response is the least desirable response, you don’t know the answer to the question. l

COMMON TEST QUESTIONS l Matching l True/false l Multiple-choice l Short answer l Essay

Strategies for Matching Questions l l l l Read the directions carefully Read the column before you answer Determine whethere is an equal number of items in each column Match what you know first Cross off information that is already used Use the process of elimination for answer you might not know Look for logical clues Use the longest statement as a question; use the shorter answer as an answer.

Strategies for True-False Questions l l l l Read each statement carefully. Watch for key words in each statement; for example, negatives Read each statement for double negatives, such as “not untruthful. ” Pay attention to words that may indicate that a statement is true, such as “some”, “few”, “many”, and “often” Pay attention to words that may indicate that a statement is false, such as “never”, “all”, “every” and “only” Remember that if any part of a statement is false, the entire statement is false Answer every question unless there is a penalty for guessing

Strategies for Multiple-Choice Questions l l l l l Read the questions and try to answer it before you read the questions provided Look for similar response answers; one of them is usually the correct response Recognize that answers containing extreme modifiers, such as always, every, and never, are usually wrong Cross off answers that you know are incorrect Read all the options before selecting your answer. Even if you believe that “A” is the correct answer, read them all. Recognize that when the answers are all numbers, the highest and lowest numbers are usually incorrect Recognize that a joke is usually wrong Understand that the most inclusive answer is often correct Understand the longest answer is often correct Make an educated guess if you must

Strategies for Short-Answer Questions l l l l Read each question and be sure that you know what is being asked Be brief in your response Give the same number of answers as there are blanks; for example, ____ and ______ would require two answers Never assume that the length of blank has anything to do with the length of the answer Remember that your initial response is usually correct Pay close attention to the word immediately preceding in the blank; if the word is “an” give a response that begins with a vowel. Look for the key word in the sentence that may trigger a response.

Strategies for Essay Questions l l l l l More is not always better, sometimes more is just more Pay close attention to the action word used in the question and respond with the appropriate type of answer Write a thesis statement for each answer Outline your thoughts before you begin to write Watch your spelling, grammar, and punctuation Use details, such as times, dates, places, and proper names where appropriate Be sure to answer all parts of the question; some discussions questions have more than one part. Summarize your main ideas near the end of your answer Write neatly Proofread your answer

INTEGRITY l Doing what you think is right l Following your personal value system l Reflects on your character l Helps you make difficult decision l Weighs on your conscience

Types of Stress l Stress is a good thing. We all need stress in our lives. l Eustress- this is considered to be the good stress l Distress- this is considered to be the bad stress

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT l l l Looking at another student’s paper Giving another student answers Using “cheat sheets” Using a computer or calculator not approved Discussing exam questions Plagiarism Stealing notes Having tutors or others do your homework Submitting a “purchased” paper Copying files Lying about missed assignments

TOP TEN QUESTIONS ABOUT ETHICS 10. Can you defend what you did? 9. Is the action you are taking worth the risk and the stress? 8. Is it worth failing the course if the professor knew you cheated? 7. How would you feel about being expelled for this action? 6. Is your decision fair to all people concerned? 5. Does your decision make you proud of who you are as a person? 4. Have you made a carefully thought-out, responsible, mature decision regardless of what everyone else is doing? 3. Is it the right thing to do? 2. If this action were to appear in the headlines of the newspaper tomorrow morning, would you feel proud? 1. If your family knew about your decision, would they be proud of you?

UNIT REFLECTION l l l Ask professor about the test beforehand Maintain your personal integrity Don’t use drugs or alcohol to cope Look over entire test first Check essays for spelling and grammar Write your name on every test page Ignore your classmates’ pace Answer all questions Watch your time Think positive! Write clearly

JUST FOR FUN !! Character Illustration by Christian O’Brien