study strategies iii

Study Strategies III Cat Jackson

Test Prep

Objectives of the Workshop

At the end of this workshop you will:0Know the different types of test

questions.0Know how to answer the different

questions effectively.0Identify different strategies for test

preparation.

Major types of Test Questions:

0Multiple Choice0Short Answer0Essay

Questions you should be asking:

1. How is the question constructed?2. What is the professor looking for? 3. How do you effectively answer the

question?4. How do you study for that question?

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How is the question constructed?0 Usually there is a question with four

answer choices.0 Two answer choices are definitely

wrong.0 Two answer choices are close to the

answer. 0 Only one is the BEST answer.


2. What is the professor looking for?0 General understanding of the book

and concepts. 0 Able to see the differences between

concepts. 0 Understanding of terminology.0 Able to apply terms to examples.

Multiple Choice Questions3. How do you effectively answer the question?0 Mark out the two wrong answers. 0 Re-read the question to determine what it is asking. 0 Be aware of negatively-worded questions (Example:

which is NOT an animal? A. bunny, B. puppy, C. rat, D. robot)

0 Remember you are looking for the BEST answer.0 Go with your first instinct. 0 Don’t over think the questions (easier said than

done!)0 If you can, plug the answer choice into the question

to see if it makes sense.


4. How do you study for that question?0 Make sure you have a good

understanding of the concepts, terms, and procedures in the class.

0 Know the differences and similarities in terminology.

Short Answer Questions

1. How is the question constructed?0 A single question looking for a short

response, generally over a single concept or term..

0 Sometimes asks for definitions of terms or steps in a process.


2. What is the professor looking for?0 A short example, explanation, or

definition. Usually not longer than a paragraph.

0 Proof that you attended class and did the required reading.

Short Answer Questions3. How do you effectively answer the

question?0 Create a solid paragraph:0 Opening sentence that rewords the

question with a short answer. 0 Second sentence should explain the answer. 0 Third sentence should be an example

(sometimes pulled from the class). 0 Last sentence should wrap the answer up

and conclude your answer.


4. How do you study for that question?0 Review examples and explanations

given in class. 0 Keep track of your alternative

examples and run them by the professor to insure they are correct.

0 Know how to use terminology correctly in a sentence.

Essay Questions

1. How is the question constructed?0 A question that usually requires you

to compare/contrast, give examples, explain, justify, or agree/disagree with a classroom concept.

Essay Questions

2. What is the professor looking for?0 Your ability to use terminology

correctly in a sentence. 0 Know how to compare/contrast,

explain, give examples of, and justify classroom concepts.

0 Your ability to move from point-to-point coherently. No rambling!

Essay Questions

3. How do you effectively answer the question?

0 Use terminology!0 Construct a 5 paragraph essay format

for clarity.

Essay Questions

0 Introduction Paragraph: Reword the question, give an example, preview your three points answering the question.

0 Body Paragraphs: Three reasons/examples to answer the question.

0 Conclusion: Reword the question again, refer back to your example, and then review your three reasons/examples.

Essay Questions

4. How do you study for that question?0 Review your terminology and the

examples in class. Use as much of the terminology as you can when answering the question.

0 Practice answering essay questions and have a study buddy review them.

Strategies for Test Preparation1. Ask the professor for types of questions on

the test. Don’t get caught up on “how many”. 2. Practice!0 Make yourself a practice test. 0 Practice essay questions0 Find quizzes/assessments in your book or

in extra resource material.0 Find internet tests over the same subject

(be careful that your internet source is credible!)

Strategies for Test Preparation3. Flash Cards!0 Test yourself0 Make flash cards as you move through the

material so you are studying as you go (rather than all of your studying happening right before the test).

0 Test with a friend and discuss answers.

Technology for Test Preparation:1. Flash Card Apps:0 Flashcards+

2. Quizlet.com (Create practice tests/flash cards)

3. Khan Academy

Questions?

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