test taking strategies calkins, 9/10 becker college

TEST TAKING STRATEGIES

Calkins, 9/10 Becker College

BEFOREAVOID CRAMMING!

• Attend class all the time

• Review readings/notes on a regular basis.

Doing this doesn’t take MORE time – it SAVES time!


• Create review tools (e.g., flash cards)

• Arrive Early

• Sleep - Being alert helps you recall material.

• Eat a good protein based meal before the test.

• Avoid negative self-talk.

• BREATHE – it oxygenates your brain cells!

DURING

• Look over the entire test first

• Be sure you answered all questions


• Change answers only when you’re SURE!

• If you have time left over, edit, check, & proofread.Why rush?

• Read each question carefully

• If you go blank on a question, leave it, mark it & return later.

• Ask instructor for help in interpreting any question that is unclear.

AFTER

• Analyze your test performance

• What questions did you breeze through?

What questions did you miss and

why?


• Reward Yourself!

• What can you do to improve next time?

– Tutoring?

– Better Study Schedule?

– Go to class more often?

Remember to watch for “absolute” terms

1. In his famous study of infant baboons, Bourth showed that the effect of SAB was _____.

a. They inevitably displayed a submission posture.

b. All infants react with instant aggression.

c. Afterwards, they never showed affection for their mothers

d. They tended to isolate themselves from the group

e. They retreated in every case


Oregon is the only Western state listed

2. The Western state with the highest number of KUGS in 1951 was _____.

a. Oregon

b. New York

c. Denver

d. Pennsylvania

e. Los Angeles


Answer choices a & c cancel each other out. Answer choices d & e contradict each other.

3. When comparing LOK and ZIB, Hobson’s experiments found that _____.

a. LOK is easier

b. ZIB is easier

c. ZIB is more difficult

d. Both a and b

e. Both b and c


It’s the absolutes again!

4. During the critical early years of childhood, the effect of BOF is _____.

a. The children never learn to relate to others.

b. Juvenile delinquency in every case.

c. A tendency toward speech difficulties.

d. Inevitable mental retardation.


Choice d is the only one that has to do with memory.

5. The research of R. Smith shows that the effect of GIK on children’s memory was _____.

a. They became more active in their everyday movements.

b. In most cases sex drive diminished.

c. Appetites generally improved.

d. Their recall was made more difficult.


Strategies for Essay Questions

• Read the question carefully. Circle the verb & key words.

• Organize your thoughts. Make notes on scrap paper before starting to write.


• Write your answer clearly. Use correct grammar and punctuation.

• Re-read your answer before handing in the test.

THE VERBS(Use with handout)

• Analyze -- Break into separate parts & discuss each part

• Explain – Make idea clear; show how idea developed; givereasons for an event.

• Evaluate -- Give your opinion or cite the opinion of an expert.Include evidence to support the evaluation.

• Summarize -- Give a brief, concise account, incl. conclusions.

• Describe -- Give a detailed account; list characteristics,qualities & parts.

• Define -- Give the meaning (usually specific to course/subj);usually brief.

• Compare -- Examine 2 or more things. Identify similarities.

• Contrast -- Examine 2 or more things. Identify differences.


SOURCES• Study Skills Handbook, Northern Arizona University

• Learning Assistance Center, Northern Arizona University http://www.unc.edu/depts/unc_caps/TestTake.html#Test-Taking%20Strategies

• University of North Carolina http://www.byu.edu/ccc/Learning_Strategies/test/strategy.htm

• Brigham Young University http://www.southwestern.edu/academic/acser-skills-teststr.html

• Southwestern University http://web.mit.edu/arc/learning/modules/test/testtypes.html

• Google images


test taking strategies calkins, 9/10 becker college

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